On a 2016 F150 of the fuses that are under the dash, which one is good to use for a switched accessory hookup? I want to hardwire a dash cam to a fuse that is powered only when the truck key is running. Does anyone know the number of a switched under dash fuse?

 

I'm wondering the same thing, for purpose of hard-wiring my radar detector via an add-a-circuit fuse adapter. Unlike my 2012, which had one labeled I think "accessory delay", I haven't found one on my 2016. Everything I've tried is hot even without key in the ignition. This includes surprising ones like "radio", "power window control", etc.

What's worse, because of the design of the fuse panel and its raised edges, only a few positions are accessible for use with an add-a-circuit in the required polarity orientation.

If there is a switched fuse position inside the cab, I think it will require access via a fuse extender first, and then an add-a-circuit.

 

I wonder if some of the fuse slots marked as unused might work. Also I had a 2006 Crown Vic. Behind the cigarette lighter plug you had the choice between two wires. The default wire was always hot and the second wire was hot with the key in accessory. It was easy to switch wires. I wonder if the 2016 F150 has a similar setup?

Because theses trucks are often used by fleets I would think that there would be an easy setup for aftermarket accessory power.

 

The inside the cab fuse to tap is number 36. I found the information here:
http://www.f150forum.com/f118/dash-cam-312372/index4/

 

lbmii, that's a good discussion. It touches on the difficulty in getting an add-a-circuit to fit.

My 2016 uses ATR Micro2 (2 prong, single circuit) and ATL Micro3 (3 prong, double circuit) sized fuses. I've only seen add-a-circuit adapters in the 2-prong variety. The blades on an ATR Micro2 fuse are closer together than on an ATM fuse or an ATM-LP (low profile) fuse, so I think an ATR specific adapter is all that's going to work.

The one I purchased was a Bussman/Cooper/Eaton brand from a local AutoZone. It's the BP/HHTR model, which is the one for ATR Micro2. You can see all the various models here:
http://www.cooperindustries.com/cont...s_ATM_ATC.html

I'm attaching some pics of the panel and relevant 2016 F-150 Owner's Manual pages for reference. You can see the small recessed area on the left side of the panel box, and the wider fuses which are the Micro3's.

For proper polarity with the Bussman BP/HHTR, the molded right-angle connection for the added circuit will be exiting to the left side of the panel if used with any of the fuse slots in left column, or to the right side of the panel if used with any of the slots in the right column. However, the shallow depth of the prongs on the device will only allow it to be installed in positions 26-30. All of these are hot all the time.

Even if the prongs were longer, other position are also inaccessible. For instance, slot 23 is off limits because the circuit breaker above it in slot 38 is much taller and doesn't allow clearance for the fuses installed on the top of the add-a-circuit (they will be facing up when installed in left column).

The Lumison brand adapter mentioned in the other thread looks like it might have longer prongs:


Perhaps it will fit in position 36, so I've ordered one and will let you know.

Have you tried anything yet, and if so how did you do it and how did it work?

 

Sadly, there is no significant difference in the dimensions of the Lumison and Bussman add-a-circuit adapters, and neither will fit in position 36.

It would be great if some type of testing loop or non-fused tap were available to be built upon, like in the following links, but I can't find any such animals in the ATR Micro2 size.

 

Well I have everything ordered but I have not got anything in the mail yet. I have ordered a backup camera, a front camera and a mirror monitor along with a remote control to turn the front camera on and off. I ordered the micro tap from Amazon like the one you posted. Yesterday I installed my dash cam but I need to hard wire it.

This is very frustrating. By definition pickup trucks have aftermarket accessories. Many trucks are used by utilities, business, gov agencies, all who install electronic equipment. One would think that there would be easy access for wiring electrical equipment. Perhaps we are overlooking something? How are gov agencies, utilities wiring in electronics?

I work at a large utility. I looked at a company 2016 F150 and the various electronics look to be wired under the middle seat. Perhaps there is a switched connector under the middle seat? Or maybe they tapped the rear cigarette lighter? Nothing was wired to the fuse box.

 

I found this: http://www.qualitymobilevideo.com/6210pt.html

Do you think this will work? I hate to order so many but so far this is what I have been able to find.

 

Here is a 15 amp which I think will match Fuse #36:

http://www.qualitymobilevideo.com/6215pt.html

 

I took this photo. It looks like Fuse #36 might be usable.

 

I'll add that neither fits upside down either, in reverse polarity, because when loaded with fuses the devices will not clear the bottom lip of the panel. Not that doing such would be a very good thing anyway because it puts the fuses in series, but some people like to take chances.

In fact, I've found that the Lumison device won't fit in ANY position, not even 26-30. Something about the way the molding is designed around the blades won't allow it to plug down into the socket in any orientation. You can see that it is different from the Bussman, which does fit. I'm sending it back.

It seems Ford has worked very hard, for whatever reasons, to discourage the use of fuse-taps in the interior panel.

 

The last two times I put a lot of equipment (sound systems) in an F-150, it was with the assistance of two different professional installers who knew the vehicles very well. They were 2004 and 2007 models. Both installers recommended a separate fuse box/distribution panel connected directly to the battery, with a mains fuse at the battery. There was one "ignition sense" circuit tapped into at the interior panel, as we are trying to do now, that allowed the equipment to be switched on/off with the vehicle key. But this circuit carried no real load.

Point being, you have a lot of stuff, you might want to add a sub-panel. Still leaves us with the dilemma of finding switched accessory power. I think I saw another thread that talked about how to pick that up in the engine compartment, but I was hoping to avoid that. Bringing wires through the firewall is a whole different challenge, but it might still be best in your case.

When it comes to the work trucks you saw, these may have special wiring harnesses not available on regular models. The trucks get ordered in quantities from Ford's fleet sales division, and they have additional options. They may also have been modified by an outside fitter.

 

These look promising, if not a little chintzy. Hopefully they are well made and safe!

Of course they will need another fuse-holder/fuse installed right at the end of the additional output to protect the wiring from there. Personally, I would not attempt to install more than one after-market device to one of these.

 

Yep, your panel looks exactly like mine.

 

Here's a link with photos of the audio installation in my 2007.

Read on to see discussion of improper fusing and a picture of someone else's TRUCK FIRE!

https://www.f150online.com/forums/sp...n-pics-up.html