Switched Power Source?
 

Hi Folks.

I need to wire up some aftermarket goodies in the cab, a headrest DVD player, backup camera and my Sirius radio.

I'd sure like to find an unfused switched positive 12 volt feed to connect to.

Any suggestions where under the hood (or better still under the dash) - I'd find one?

Thanks.

I doubt you will find a switched power source without a fuse.

Doesn't most of that equipment have a remote wire to turn it on and off with? To operate most of your electronics you are going to want to run a nice fat wire from the battery through the firewall to operate with the least amount of interference and also at full capacity anyway. I usually just feed it through somewhere behind the glovebox.

I guess the other alternative to just using a remote wire is you can wire in a relay for direct power from the battery, then power the relay off a switched source.

Even if you do find a good power source you risk shorting it out when you put extra load on it, sure you can replace the fuse with a larger one... but the wire itself is not rated for higher amperage.

In all cases any power running into the cab of your truck should have a fuse, even when I ran a huge stereo system I had a 250amp fuse just in case... too many cars burn to the ground because of electrical shorts related to car stereo's.

All the accessories have thier own fuses, I just hoped for a line that I could tap into before the fuses.

I'm going with a new power line through the firewall and a relay off a switched source to ensure it's switched.

Thanks Sugarphreak and Neverendingproject for the tips and help.