Easy in cab tap for 12v non-switched?

[Reptar]

okay I hardwired my security camera today.

The 12v power port in the dash on the center stack to the right of the head unit is constant 12v power. If you open the glove box and relese the clips to open the door down to access behind it, you can reach right to the back of that 12v power port, unplug the harness, and pull it out into the glove box opening, tap your wires into it, then plug it back iinto the 12v power port. Easy, quick, clean, hidden!

I'm actually planning on wiring my radar detector up to the aux switch. I like being able to flip it on and off, without having to fumble with the little volume wheel on the detector itself. Especially if I"m getting pulled over, I like to flick it off discretely, and with it mounted up above the rearview, typically they never even notice it. They're legal here, but it certainly doesn't help if they see it smack on the middle of the windshield. Also when sometimes annoying false signals go off, or I'm on the phone or something and it's buzzing, I like to have a switch to quick flick it off, so I think an aux switch will be what I end up doing.

 

[BigJ]

Very good idea Rep. How/where did you get the wire from the camera down into/behind the stack?

 

[Reptar]

tucked it up behind the front lip of the headliner over to the passenger A-pillar. Then the 2 caps for the A-pillar handle pop out and two 7mm bolts get removed, then the whole pillar pops off. Just be careful there's an airbag behind there. I ran the wires down the pillar (there's already 1 white wire ran down the pillar, so I ran it with that and zip tied them together), and opened the glove box, squeezed the 2 tabs in on the back to open the glove box 180*, and had open access to all the wiring and stuff behind it. Could easily reach from the pillar and route the wire over to the back of the cig lighter/12v power port. You can reach in from behind the glove box to unplug the connector on the back of the power port, to pull it into the opening for easy tapping/splicing, then just plug it back in.

 

[Stepside]

Remember:
> If you are wiring a GPS unit ~ it runs on 5 volts.
13+volts will fry it.

The cigarette lighter adaptors supplied with GPS units
have a step-down from 13.8 volts to 5 volts.

They are special adaptors and can be purchased on ebay.
Sometimes you can find a phone adaptor to work,
as they also work on 5 volts.

 

[AngryBird]

What is this VHF/UHF radio you speak of?

 

[BigJ]

Remember:
> If you are wiring a GPS unit ~ it runs on 5 volts.
13+volts will fry it.

The cigarette lighter adaptors supplied with GPS units
have a step-down from 13.8 volts to 5 volts.

They are special adaptors and can be purchased on ebay.
Sometimes you can find a phone adaptor to work,
as they also work on 5 volts.

True enough. Except this particular GPS does need 12v

 

[Squatting Dog]

Actually, glad I saw this... I assumed elite 5 was 12v... Glad it is, because I already tapped cig lighter for it.. Just waiting on Outlaw mount...

-Greg

 

[BigJ]

GJ, would you mind snapping a pic of where you brought the lead up thru the dash and/or how? It would help quite a bit... I plan to tap the cig adapter too, but I'm not sure where to bring the wire up.

 

[Squatting Dog]

GJ, would you mind snapping a pic of where you brought the lead up thru the dash and/or how? It would help quite a bit... I plan to tap the cig adapter too, but I'm not sure where to bring the wire up.

I am going to drill a hole in front center speaker.. This way when the gps is mounted I can power it, and when I take out gps I can cover hole with rubber mat. I am waiting to get bracket so I can double check before drilling... I am guessing it will work...

-Greg

 

[pat'sRAPTOR]

I am going to drill a hole in front center speaker.. This way when the gps is mounted I can power it, and when I take out gps I can cover hole with rubber mat. I am waiting to get bracket so I can double check before drilling... I am guessing it will work...

-Greg

Great minds think alike haha I am doing the same thing with the wire and I am also waiting on my outlaw mount for my elite-5m as well it should be here today then I can drill the hole and run the wire