I need to get to the back of the power plug for my 2003 F-150. I need to know how the plug unit come out ( afraid to break something) or another place to get constant 12 volts on the drivers side. Help; new system install and only needs power now, thought I'd slow down and get a good power supply. Should I just run a wire to the battery to make a separate system.

 

Is this for an aftermarket radio?

 

Not a radio overhead shelfing with power

 

I see.
I think I would get a fuse tap and use one of the fuses in the fuse block because that would be closer, easier, and a cleaner more professional looking install.

Edited to add:
Fuse Tap At the bottom of the page it shows how a fuse tap works. But don't them order from here I just found it through a google search. You can get them at Radio Shack and most auto parts stores etc.

 

Thanks for the fuse tap idea never knew such a thing existed. I am glad you guy are here. I will use the tap. Thanks guys.

 

No problem.. Good luck

 

These things work great. It's nice because you can choose to tap an accessory fuse, so when you turn your car off, whatever you have hooked up will turn off too. Meaning, no dead batteries.

I have my CB wired with one of these gizmos.

 

I got my fuse taps today they were easy to install. I'll have a cold one, a salute to you. THANKS FOR YOUR HELP

 

No problem, glad to hear that you got it, I'll drink a cold one with you....

 

If you used the HOT side of the fuse tap, PLEASE make sure you install in inline fuse on the line right out of the tap....

wouldn't want the truck to go up in smoke...

 

Yes still using the inline fuse. Thanks

 

How do you tell which side of the fuse is the "Hot" side? And what is an inline fuse? As you can tell, I don't really know much about the electrical systems.

Thanks.

 

Pull the fuse and use a test lite or multi meter on each side of the fuse place. The side with juice is the hot side. The fuse completes the circuit letting it go past unless it recives to much juice blowing the fuse saving whatever is on that circuit.

An inline fuse is also called an inline fuse holder. It is an inulated fuse socket with a wire to splice into a power supply.

Click on this picture

 

Okay, so you would put the inline fuse wire directly into the fuse tap, then splice radar detector or whatever you are wiring to the other end of the inline fuse right? I don't see why you need an inline fuse when there is a fuse in the block (the fuse that you put the tap on)?

 

If you put it on the cold side then you would not need an inline fuse holder because the factory fuse would be protecting it. But if you are tapping into the hot side of the fuse place then you are not protected by the fuse. If the fuse blows then your tap would still be hot so you would want to protect the circuit and what ever you have hooked up to it. Tapping into the hot side is like wiring it directly to the battery. Doing this would allow you to ad a larger fuse and larger equipment with out over loading a circuit. It is not wise to add a bunch of stuff to one fuse and add a larger fuse to carry it all.