12v outlet

[2002XLT21]

in my 2002 i have one outlet on the center console and one behind it, i want to put one on the dash like the older models. how is that possible?

 

[IZwack]

Drill a hole or something and epoxy

 

[2002XLT21]

i figured that, but how do i get one there with out having wires exposed. i found this on ebay think it might work..

http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Right-Angle...ryZ14932QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[IZwack]

No I mean use a hole saw to punch a whatever diameter hole through the bezel (the "frame" that goes around the radio). And then epoxy on something to hold the outlet. The wires would therefore go behind the bezel and would be out of sight.

Another place to put the outlet is the center console -- the 2nd generation Explorers have this outlet on the side of the center console towards the front, near where the passenger's left leg would be.

 

[DeRocha]

As IZwack mentioned you'd drill a large hole 1" or so to fit in the socket. The 1st picture below is from your above link. It could be disassembled so that you toss away the black plastic piece and just sandwich it between the plastic on the vehicle. I picked up one that looked like the 2nd picture at Walmat. The socket body just screwed in place. (you had to have access behind the panel or dash board to do it).

 

[2002XLT21]

how do i go about wiring it. do i wire it to the one in the console area?

 

[IZwack]

If there is a cigarette receptacle thingy, take power from that.

 

[dannyb420]

can you tap into that power without problems ?

 

[2002XLT21]

found that outlet at walmart, is 14gauge wire good enuf to run up to it from the 1 in the armrest area?

 

[IZwack]

Match the wire gauge that you're tapping from.

 

[2002XLT21]

what u mean match? match up the correct wires? i know that part..

 

[IZwack]

I mean if you're going to tap into 14-gauge wire, then use a 14-gauge wire. If the wire you're tapping is 10 gauge, then use a 10 gauge wire to tap.

It might be hard to tell exactly what gauge the wire you're tapping into so I guess something close will do -- error on the larger diameter if you plan to plug in something like a power inverter, or anything that draws significant power.

 

[2002XLT21]

i just plan on tapping into the one in the center console so i can make a custom one on the dash. if its 10g and i use 14g will i have problems?

 

[DeRocha]

i just plan on tapping into the one in the center console so i can make a custom one on the dash. if its 10g and i use 14g will i have problems?

Circuits are protected by fuses, with the fuse rating equal to the size of the wire. Basically a fuse is nothing more than the weakest link in an electrical circuit. If an accessory draws too much power the fuse will blow ensuring the wire doesn't overheat. If you connect a 14g wire to a 10g circuit (30A fuse) then you should also add a 15A fuse (where the 14g wire connects to the 10g) Otherwise if the 14g wire were to have a short or an accessory where to use more than 15A then you could have an electrical fire.

 

[2002XLT21]

so just match the same gagues to be safe?

 

[DeRocha]

so just match the same gagues to be safe?

Correct Matching wires is the safest thing to do when adding an Acc outlet (since you don't know for certain what someone could plug in). If someone were to plug in a heavy duty air compressor or power inverter they could easily overheat the wires.

 

[Scott2008]

If you run 14awg your fine in all appliactions. Anything you would try to run the would melt down 14awg wire would pull more current than the stock fuse on the stock lighter cirucit thus, blowing your fuse before the wire would smolder.

 

[2002XLT21]

the 12volt i bought from walmart is 16g and i have 16g wire, just need to wait till i get a dremel or borrow one, b4 i try this out.

 

[crash594]

 

[2002XLT21]

so i borrowed my buddys dremel but wont get around to it tell friday, has anyone ever done this mod? im wondering if there is enough clearance in the dash for it to be back there?