HELP! Need 12V accessory power

[ieee_raider]

I am hunting high and low for accessory power, preferably near the center console.
I can find 12V all over the place, but not switched.

I'm installing aftermarket headrests with monitors and need a power source. The 12V plugs aren't switched, so they won't work. Boo, that would be so easy.

I checked all through the console and behind the radio. Radio harness didn't match what I could find on the12volt.com so I'm not sure. I checked every wire and couldn't find switched power.

I even tried looking for a switched common with a constant 12V and had no luck.

Any ideas???

 

[ieee_raider]

Oh and I can't even get to the blasted fuse panel under the steering wheel. My shoulders are too broad and I can't even get close!

 

[ieee_raider]

Nevermind, found it here: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=350474

 

[txaggie]

I see you found a solution, but for my reference, could you have tapped into the power seats?

 

[ieee_raider]

I see you found a solution, but for my reference, could you have tapped into the power seats?

I checked both harnesses I saw and couldn't locate any. If I remember right, you can move them without acc. Power

 

[CDW6212R]

I checked both harnesses I saw and couldn't locate any. If I remember right, you can move them without acc. Power

You could use the seat power wire for the source power, and any wire controlled by the ignition to trigger a relay. Depending on the load(you mention light load), pick a small relay to install out of sight where you need it between the load and the power source.

Trigger a relay with an ignition controlled source, and feed the relay with the power source. Feed your load with the relay.

 

[ieee_raider]

You could use the seat power wire for the source power, and any wire controlled by the ignition to trigger a relay. Depending on the load(you mention light load), pick a small relay to install out of sight where you need it between the load and the power source.

Trigger a relay with an ignition controlled source, and feed the relay with the power source. Feed your load with the relay.

I know I could use a relay, but I couldn't find an ignition controlled wire at all.
Beside that, I'd probably have to use an SSR because a coil would likely draw more current than what I'm powering.

 

[CDW6212R]

You would likely need to extend a wire from the dash area, to the seat, and mount the relay under there. What's an "SSR", a typical relay takes no power to run?

I love the OEM relays, the 95-01 parts I'm used to. The half size relays have nearly the same capacity and reliability of the full sized relays. I have always used them in OEM relay modules, I wish there was a relay connector that would plug into those. That would be slick to use, if someone made such a thing. Those relays are very small, and robust. I have a pair of relays powering each of my four windows in my 99 Explorer

 

[ieee_raider]

Yes, all relays take power to run.
An SSR is a Solid State Relay which takes much less power to run than a coil driven relay (the typical type found in vehicles).

And if I'm running power from the dash, that defeats the purpose of finding switched power under the seat.

That's where I ended up at. I ran switched power from under the dash.