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Money-Pit
06-20-2004, 08:11 PM
I installed one of those rearview mirrors with the compass and temperature read-outs. I've run all the wires so that it looks clean, but now I need to tap into a wire to power the mirror. They recommend something like the radio which is only powered when the truck is started or the accessories are turned on. I've tried to make sense of all the wiring behind the instrument cluster, but not much luck. Anyone have an easy solution to get power to the mirror?
mattadams
06-20-2004, 08:23 PM
easiest solution is to tap into the power right near the fuse, thats what i've done for numerous projects. you can buy fuse taps at Radio Shack, just find the radio fuse, pop the fuse tap under it and then draw your power from the fuse tap :).
clavos
06-20-2004, 08:25 PM
If you already have the wire behind the dash, tap in somewhere near the fuse box. I found an unused space in the fuse box that I was able to utilize for my C.B.
Money-Pit
06-20-2004, 08:32 PM
Ok that sounds easy enough. So the fuse-tap plugs in along with the fuse, but will supply the power to my wire tap once it is connected? Will this interfere with the plastic housing that fits over all the fuses? I probably will not be able to try this until next weekend.
mattadams
06-20-2004, 08:36 PM
with the fuse-tap method, yes it will more then likely interfere with the black plastic cover. It's possible to get both to work but it takes fenagling. I've got so many wires running into my fuse block I just disgarded the plastic cover, LOL.
Money-Pit
06-20-2004, 08:42 PM
Ok. It still sounds like my best bet. Probably the safest bet too. At worst I would probably just blow the fuse as opposed to severing a wire or something like that.
mattadams
06-20-2004, 08:52 PM
Check out www.mattstruck.com/f150lights.html for some wiring pics and stuff, doesn't show the fuse panel in too much detail though.
Money-Pit
06-27-2004, 10:36 AM
Matt...I've been looking all over for the fuse tap for a mini-fuse. I've found regular old fuse taps, but nothing for a mini-fuse. Do you happen to remember where you got them from?
mattadams
06-27-2004, 03:23 PM
I got it at radio shack... It looks something like this one:
http://rmftc.com/howtos/electrical/elec11tn.jpg
The ones at radio shack dont actually go over the blade like the midi- and maxi- fuses do, they jsut go in WITH the blade (i.e. its the same size as the blade, but doesn't loop around the blade like the other tapes do)