I just installed my Sirius XACT Visor https://www.f150online.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=223085 and I want to hard-wire the power to the fuse box. I want it to come on when I turn the truck on.

- what fuse should I attach it to?
- which wire is the ground and which is the power? (I never remember is the white striped is the ground or power)

 

If you hook it up backwards, it won't work. The white stripe is the ground. You can use any fuse you want. If you hook to one that comes on with ignition on, then the unit will turn off with the car. If you use a constant source, the unit will stay on till you turn it off. Get a test light and pick a fuse, at least 10amps preferably

 

Thanks. I hooked it up today to a 10 amp that turns on when I turn the ignition to Accessory. The only thing was that the power was the white striped and the ground had writing on it.

 

Hm, thats the opposite of the sirius units I sell and install. All of mine are white stripe grounded. Sorry :o

 

I'm assuming that you also "tapped" into that fuse / circuit properly? Some folks just wrap a stripped hot lead around a fuse leg and declare victory. This generally leads to a wiped out fuse location. The proper method is to use a fuse tap - tapped into the fused leg of a fuse and then add an in-line fuse sized for your unit. An even better alternative is to use an "Add a Circuit" tap that really does a professional job. But then again you did all of this, right?

 

On 99% of mobile electronics the white stripe is always the hot wire. Also some food for thought....Most small electronics that run off of the cig lighter are NOT 12V. They can be anything from 3 to 9. Most sattelite systems are 6 volt and hooking them straight to the fuse box can blow them up. Look at the cig lighter plug on the sirius and see if it is marked on there. If its not it will be marked in your owners manual under the Specifications section. If its less than 12V you need to add a resistor to the power wire to cut the voltage down

 

Sirius uses 12v, lots of xm units use 6v.

 

Should I still add an inline fuse to the power lead into the fuse box?

 

Should you add an in-lne fuse? The general answer is that you need to have your hot lead fused someplace - preferrably close to the source of power. That said, depending on how you tapped into the fuse box makes a big difference. If you originally tapped into the fused side of the fuse, you're protected - but may possibly be over taxing the original circuit. If you tapped into the hot side of the fuse - and have no in-line fuse - you're in trouble and need to add protection. How do you tell what side of the fuse you're on? Pull the fuse and use a test light. One side of the fuse slot will have power (the hot side) and one will not (the fused side). When your fuse blows, power does not flow from the hot side anymore.

Always remember the first rule of electricity: "Everything electrical runs on smoke. If you let the smoke out, it doesn't work anymore."

 

LMAO!!

 

Been a while since I have heard the comment about the magic smoke that runs electronics. That is a great one.
I almopst spit coffee out of my nose when I read that one

 

I also am adding an FM modulator for my XM skyFi2. This will get rid of the lighter adapter power connector. I have an Add-A-Circuit and am looking for a switched circuit to jump off of. So far no luck. Use to be pretty handy with stuff like this but haven't messed with automotive wiring for a few years.

Was expecting to find an un-used wire but everything seems to be used and no loose ends anywhere.

Wasn't always like this.

Any help appreciated!!

RMB
04 F150 SuperCab Lariat

 

on all sirius models the white stripe is positive and not all of them are 12v ,the xact are 5 or 6v which you need a voltage reducer. or open up the cig lighter and solder on.

 

The FM modulator takes care of the 12v to 6v duties.

The question was, and is, finding a "switched" source of power.
Having a constant drain on the battery is just looking for future problems.

Guess I'll keep probing around till I find the right spot.

RMB