Adding power outlet in trunk

[Claus]

I want to add one or two 12V power outlets in the trunk of my 2003 Explorer. Primarely it's to plug in some work lights (2 x 55 watts) that I can clip onto the opened trunk lid.

I was wondering if a wire harnes in the trunk might have a spare wire available for such a thing. I have the Factory Service Manual for my vehicle but I haven't found anything useful in regards to this project.

I certainly want to put the outlet onto its own fuse if at all possible.

Any other hints, tips and suggestions are welcome as well.

 

[hydroxy]

If you add stuff like that, it is usually a good idea NOT to use ANY factory wiring. Run some 10gauge or 8 gauge wire back there. Get an inline fuse to go with it. Radioshack or car parts stores should have them. If you need to know how to run it, there is a rubber grommet over the gas pedal and you need a size 50 torx socket to get off the seatbelt to take off the rear quarter panel. Everything else snaps on/off.

You can pickup cigarette lighter plugs at any car parts place. Drill/cut a hole and mount 'em. I have a 112v power outlet attached to a power inverter w/ a power outlet in the rear quarter panel. It is very useful.

Goodluck

 

[jgilbs]

i agree with hydoxy. stock wiring should not be used because its around 22ga if i remember correctly. not only will you get excessive resistence on that(causing 55w lights to look like 15w), you will probably end up blowing a fuse sooner or later. 12ga wire is cheap enough(last time i checked it was like $.04/foot at home depot) and if you use this wire, you will probably want to fuse it and directly connect it to the battery. this will ensure that you will have power even when the car is off (the most likely time that you will be using the lights anyway, right?) it's really not that hard to wire up the lights - i just piggybacked my wires along my trunk release cable to get through the firewall. after that, there is a wiring channel under the plastic trim runners that you can use.

 

[aldive]

Here is how others and I added an outlet.....Dead Link Removed

While you are at it, consider adding an inverter and a 110v outlet also. I find mine very handy. See Dead Link Removed

 

[Claus]

Great information. Thanks everyone.

You connect the ground just to the chassis, right?

 

[jgilbs]

yes, but be sure to strip the paint so it has better contact(u can just sand down to bare metal)

 

[hydroxy]

just a note if you strip the paint... try and do it in an area that wont get wet to avoid corrosion.