Installing your own accessory switch and USB
#21
Aux input plug wiring?
I have an 07 FX4 SCREW. I removed the factory audiophile head unit and replaced it with an OEM nav system. The old head unit had a line in sw but the new unit doesn't. How do I rewire the 3.5 line in plug to work with the new head unit?
#22
Some good stuff here...
If you guys are wanting to do charging over USB...the products linked above are 500ma, which is a slow charge.
I also use the USB port from my deck to charge devices as well. In my build thread I added a USB port next to the cig lighter.
If you guys are wanting to do charging over USB...the products linked above are 500ma, which is a slow charge.
Amazon.com: PowerGen Black 3.6Amps / 18W Dual USB Car charger Designed for Apple and Android Devices: Cell Phones & Accessories
With a dremel, you can make this work, obviously, some wiring needed as well. Note the output. This will very quickly and with ease, charge your phones or tablets.I also use the USB port from my deck to charge devices as well. In my build thread I added a USB port next to the cig lighter.
Last edited by scobar; 08-09-2013 at 11:10 PM.
#23
2015 F-150 King Ranch 4x4
Here is a nice indash with a dust cover...
http://www.ebay.com/itm/USB-Power-Outlet-Charger-Panel-Mount-In-Dash-Charge-Power-Your-USB-Devices-/231022257513?pt=Car_Audio_Video&hash=item35c9ffe569&vxp=mtr
http://www.ebay.com/itm/USB-Power-Outlet-Charger-Panel-Mount-In-Dash-Charge-Power-Your-USB-Devices-/231022257513?pt=Car_Audio_Video&hash=item35c9ffe569&vxp=mtr
#24
Here is a nice indash with a dust cover...
USB Power Outlet Charger Panel Mount in Dash Charge Power Your USB Devices | eBay
USB Power Outlet Charger Panel Mount in Dash Charge Power Your USB Devices | eBay
#25
Extreme DIY Homeowner
I love the GPS dash mount, anyone have a current link to a mount like this ?
Listed as Out of Stock, but wondering if they even carry it ay more
Listed as Out of Stock, but wondering if they even carry it ay more
This is going to cover adding a switch and hard wiring an accessory. I Hard wired my GPS in.
If you would like to use the same mount as me you can pick one up at http://store.xmfanstore.com, they are a little pricey but I'm real OCD about this kinda stuff. Also if your hooking up a GPS you need to get a hard wire kit for it at http://www.edotechsupply.com. I would not cut the end off of your existing cord and use that because I'm pretty sure that the plug on the end of it is what converts the 12V to 5V, which is what most accessories run off of. If you want just a plain jane switch then run to an automotive store and grab one there but for me, I wanted something with a little more style but was also low profile. I originally found this switch that is made for this type of thing and would have been great but they only make it with the chrome finish, I wanted black. So after much searching I found one at http://www.performance-pcs.com. I know what your thinking, why the heck are you putting stuff made for computers in your truck. Well I e-mailed the company before I order it and asked them if it would work. They said that the voltage rating was the same so it would in fact work. If you decide to go with the same switch I got I recommend the 22mm over the 16mm because I think the 16mm is to small and also make sure you get the prewired switch (the link will take you directly to the one you need), it will make life a little easier for you. The next thing you need to do is run to the local automotive store and pick yourself up some splice connectors, some automotive wire (two different color preferably), an Add-a-Fuse, and a extra 10A fuse.
The Mount for the GPS (Get it HERE)
Attachment 94565
GPS Hardwire Kit (Get it HERE)
Attachment 94566
The on/off Switch (Get it HERE)
Attachment 94567
The first step is to take your dash apart and if you don't know how to do that it is explained in the previous post. Once you get the black oval panel out that had your cigarette lighter adapter on it your going to have to make a hole in it to fit your switch. If you ordered the pre-wired switch like I said it will have three wires coming from it. A Black wire (ground), Red wire (power), and a Yellow wire (accessory). The accessory your going to hook up should have two wires, typically a Black wire (ground) and a Red wire (power).
The next step is to connect your accessory to the switch. Take the yellow wire (accessory) from your switch and using a splice connector connect it to the Red wire (power) from your accessory.
Next take the Black wire (ground) from your switch and the Black wire (ground) from your accessory and twist them together and them put them both in the same side of a splice connector. Now take some of the automotive wire you picked up and connect one end to the opposite side of the splice connector we just hooked the other Black (ground) wires to. Find a good spot to ground your wire and ground the other end of your wire there. I found a spot on the passenger side behind a panel on the floorboard.
The Ground Spot
Attachment 94569
Now you need to get to the fuse box in your truck. It is located on the right side of the passenger side behind a panel. Once you have found that run some more of the automotive wire from the fuse box to the Red wire (power) on your switch. Connect that wire using a splice connector to the Red wire on your switch and connect the other end to the Add-a-Fuse's splice connector. Find the fuse that you want to use to plug in the Add-a-Fuse. I used the fuse that controls my heated seats because I knew that it would shut off when my truck shut off. If your not sure look in your owners manual and it has a break down of what they all do in there. After you pull your fuse out put it into the Add-a-Fuse along with the other 10A fuse you bought and then insert the Add-a-Fuse into the fuse box.
Fuse Box with the Add-A-Fuse
Attachment 94570
Now just put everything back together in the reverse order you took it apart and enjoy.
The Finished Product
Attachment 94571
I really hope this will help some of you out.
If anyone has any questions please ask away and I will do my best to answer them.
If you would like to use the same mount as me you can pick one up at http://store.xmfanstore.com, they are a little pricey but I'm real OCD about this kinda stuff. Also if your hooking up a GPS you need to get a hard wire kit for it at http://www.edotechsupply.com. I would not cut the end off of your existing cord and use that because I'm pretty sure that the plug on the end of it is what converts the 12V to 5V, which is what most accessories run off of. If you want just a plain jane switch then run to an automotive store and grab one there but for me, I wanted something with a little more style but was also low profile. I originally found this switch that is made for this type of thing and would have been great but they only make it with the chrome finish, I wanted black. So after much searching I found one at http://www.performance-pcs.com. I know what your thinking, why the heck are you putting stuff made for computers in your truck. Well I e-mailed the company before I order it and asked them if it would work. They said that the voltage rating was the same so it would in fact work. If you decide to go with the same switch I got I recommend the 22mm over the 16mm because I think the 16mm is to small and also make sure you get the prewired switch (the link will take you directly to the one you need), it will make life a little easier for you. The next thing you need to do is run to the local automotive store and pick yourself up some splice connectors, some automotive wire (two different color preferably), an Add-a-Fuse, and a extra 10A fuse.
The Mount for the GPS (Get it HERE)
Attachment 94565
GPS Hardwire Kit (Get it HERE)
Attachment 94566
The on/off Switch (Get it HERE)
Attachment 94567
The first step is to take your dash apart and if you don't know how to do that it is explained in the previous post. Once you get the black oval panel out that had your cigarette lighter adapter on it your going to have to make a hole in it to fit your switch. If you ordered the pre-wired switch like I said it will have three wires coming from it. A Black wire (ground), Red wire (power), and a Yellow wire (accessory). The accessory your going to hook up should have two wires, typically a Black wire (ground) and a Red wire (power).
The next step is to connect your accessory to the switch. Take the yellow wire (accessory) from your switch and using a splice connector connect it to the Red wire (power) from your accessory.
Next take the Black wire (ground) from your switch and the Black wire (ground) from your accessory and twist them together and them put them both in the same side of a splice connector. Now take some of the automotive wire you picked up and connect one end to the opposite side of the splice connector we just hooked the other Black (ground) wires to. Find a good spot to ground your wire and ground the other end of your wire there. I found a spot on the passenger side behind a panel on the floorboard.
The Ground Spot
Attachment 94569
Now you need to get to the fuse box in your truck. It is located on the right side of the passenger side behind a panel. Once you have found that run some more of the automotive wire from the fuse box to the Red wire (power) on your switch. Connect that wire using a splice connector to the Red wire on your switch and connect the other end to the Add-a-Fuse's splice connector. Find the fuse that you want to use to plug in the Add-a-Fuse. I used the fuse that controls my heated seats because I knew that it would shut off when my truck shut off. If your not sure look in your owners manual and it has a break down of what they all do in there. After you pull your fuse out put it into the Add-a-Fuse along with the other 10A fuse you bought and then insert the Add-a-Fuse into the fuse box.
Fuse Box with the Add-A-Fuse
Attachment 94570
Now just put everything back together in the reverse order you took it apart and enjoy.
The Finished Product
Attachment 94571
I really hope this will help some of you out.
If anyone has any questions please ask away and I will do my best to answer them.
#26
Extreme DIY Homeowner
Looks like they still sell them....$40
I have a spare GPS bracket...some metal....bet I can make one
Wish I knew what size between the bolts in the pic.....
Spose I could make one, take the dash plate off....then drill the holes
Searching Amazon for USB port & other parts
I have a spare GPS bracket...some metal....bet I can make one
Wish I knew what size between the bolts in the pic.....
Spose I could make one, take the dash plate off....then drill the holes
Searching Amazon for USB port & other parts
#28
Extreme DIY Homeowner
I need to wait for warmer weather too for truck projects
I found a spare USB cable for my phone & a USB cig lighter plug in converter
So will use that for now, I usually do not drive far enough to have to charge my phone in the car
I found a spare USB cable for my phone & a USB cig lighter plug in converter
So will use that for now, I usually do not drive far enough to have to charge my phone in the car