12V Outlet in the rear...

[CaptainObvious]

So my next question:
THere's not outlet in the rear for 12VDC. I'd kind like to have a 12VDC Supply in the cargo area. I'm gonna put an inverter back there and some stuff. I didn't know if the wiring was allready there, and the factory doesn't install the outlet (like the Grand Cherokees, the wiring's there, just no outlet) for certain models or if I'd have to run new wiring. If I do I'll run #8 or something large for high current.

By the way, the infloor storage on these things kicks ass.

 

[alexefron]

what are you wiring it into, and what are you planing on powering? usually the cigarette lighter sockets are limited to 10 amps

 

[CaptainObvious]

what are you wiring it into, and what are you planing on powering? usually the cigarette lighter sockets are limited to 10 amps

I just want something back there to at least power a small inverter (laptop) and maybe a TV.
That OR a handheld strobe light. If I have to run wiring back there I'm gonna go overkill and run a nice large service back there.

 

[aldive]

I have both 115v and 12v outlets in the rear of my '99. Take a look at http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=36803&page=1&pp=20

They are very handy additions.

 

[CaptainObvious]

I have both 115v and 12v outlets in the rear of my '99. Take a look at http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=36803&page=1&pp=20

They are very handy additions.

That's a really good idea. How'd you pull the cover off the side?

EDIT: It's an 04.....

 

[alexefron]

are we talking inverter then, or are you running these all off 12vdc?

 

[CDW6212R]

What's odd is that the owners manual calls for a 7.5 amp fuse for the cigarette lighter, and mine had a 25 amp fuse. A lot of the fuses didn't match the owners manual.

 

[CaptainObvious]

I'll probally run 2 services back there. One for an inverter and one for the 12vdc. Most use will be the 12VDC. I just want the 110 VAC for handyness.

 

[alexefron]

Captain:the thing to do is figure out how much wattage you need, and then decide how youre going to hook it up, what wire sizes, etc. On the back of the tv there should be a plate that tells you wattage, and on the back of the ac adapter for the laptop. From the wattages you can decide what size inverter, and then determine how much amperage it will draw, and determine the proper wire size.


CDW: You should put in the proper amperage fuses, bacause if they are designed to prevent fires, as you push more wattage (electrons) through a wire, some of the force (voltage) is converted to heat, the smaller the wire, the more heat is created. The fuses are designed to stop fires by limiting the amount of electricity that can go through a wire, so having fuses that are too high (like a 25 in place of a 7.5) could potentially cause a fire or other problems.

 

[CDW6212R]

That was my point, a 7.5 amp fuse for the cigarette lighter is very little. I changed a few to match the manual. I have a 99 dash which I will be using in my 93, so I can't swipe them all. I will find a 99 owners manual before I finish my project.

 

[Claus]

I installed a 12 volt power outlet in the trunk. I an a new wire from the fuse box in the engine compartment through the firewall (drilled small hole) under the boards by the door along the driverside to the back. Looks pretty good. To make it perfect I would need the socket clip for the fuse. I used one of the metal things that attach to the fuse foot so you can connect the wire on the top of the fuse.

 

[coreman23]

This may be a little off topic, but it's the closest topic I could find relative to my problem.

I know nothing about wiring, I have a Sirius radio that has a 12 adapter. The only problem is the 2 adapters that I have in my 98 Ex are always powered on, so I forget to turn the radio off all the time.

My idea is to use this:

I got it from Radio Shack. It's got a positive and negative wire with built-in fuse. I have a 1998 EB Ex with the console in the middle. (The thing with mileage info)

I realize that I need to find a wire that is only on when the car is on, and I need to ground the black.

Where should I tap in? (Please remember I'm a little "DEE DEE DEE" about electrical stuff, so pics would help.)

I plan on hiding the new 12v adapter under the console.

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[drake437]

this is what I did:

Bought one of these from Amazon for a long trip. Plugged it into the lower power point ran the cord under the passenger seat and had power for laptop in the backseat for dvd's. Worked great and I can move it from vehicle to vehicle.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...ref=sr_1_1/002-8940060-1768024?_encoding=UTF8

 

[coreman23]

Bought one of these from Amazon for a long trip. Plugged it into the lower power point ran the cord under the passenger seat and had power for laptop in the backseat for dvd's. Worked great and I can move it from vehicle to vehicle.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...ref=sr_1_1/002-8940060-1768024?_encoding=UTF8

The problem isn't finding an AC outlet, I need to wire an additional DC outlet. The two that I have, stay on when I turn the car off, I always forget to turn the radio off, so I don't want to drain my battery. I want to add a 3rd 12v adapter that is hidden and that turns off when I turn off the car.

Thanks for the post though.

 

[aldive]

Why not just an a switch to an existing outlet?

 

[coreman23]

Why not just an a switch to an existing outlet?

I know I'll forget to turn the switch off, plus, I'd like to hide the new outlet, so you can't see the satellite radio anywhere.