I plug many devices into my lighter and they all collectively drain the battery when I forget them pluged in. Is there an easy way to change the wireing so it shuts off with the ignition?

 

How about some info on the year, trim, body style of your truck ?
Next, how much load are you running in AMPs ?
Last, how comfortable are you with electrical on Truck ?
Thanks

 

SAME details! details !

 

I have a 2002 Ford F150 Lariat. There is no physical problems with the electrical system and as I consider myself above average on electrical, I have never worked on a Ford system. I do have a Haynes manual and I am good with my hands. I work on computers for a living so I feel very confident I could tackle the job if given direction.

 

With you having the Haynes manual, you can confirm these things.

My suggestion would be to use a Hot in the Run position lead, maybe even the Acc Delay circuit, to power a relay. USe the Relay to provide power from the battery, fuse as close to the battery as you can, and use this to drive a smaller fuse block, which you can put under the dash, just to the left of the plastic cover for the floor vents ( on the trans hump, directly under the radio.

The Acc Delay lead, that I can find that is easy, is Circuit # 996, a Orange with a white stripe. You should be able to find the connector this is in, behind the emergancy brake pedal. The connector is C248. This is a black 8 pin connector. It is a 2 rows of 4 pins, Circuit 996 is in the bottom row, between a Light blue with a black stripe, and a Tan with a light bluw stripe. There might only be 6 wires in it, the other 2 might be empty ( EVTM for 2001 shows it as empty ).

Using Circuit # 996 as the power to the coil, the other side of the coil is ground. the input is from the battery, and the output goes to the small fuse panel ( optional ) for the devices.

This is about what I can think of, that would give you Acc Delay power to the add on items ( works after shutting off the key, until any door is opened ) adn will not be on when the truck is off, and provides for a seperate fused connection.

Sizing, got me, you didn't provide any info to suggest a AWG / Fuse combo, which could also depend on the size of the relay ( 20 AMP or 30 AMP ).

With this as a starting point, and you already have the manual, you should be off and running.
Hint on getting the circuit from the battery, into the cab ( if you have not found it already ) there is a fresh air vent around the area that the steering column comes into the cab. You can run the wire through this flap, just make sure it is not holding it all the way open.

 

is there not a battery drain relay????

 

In the 2001 EVTM ( seems to be the same as '00 to '03 for the most part ) the Cigar lighter / Power ports are hot at all times, direct from the Central Junction box for the lighter 20AMP fuse 3 , and from the Battery Junction box for the Aux power port 25 AMP fuse #1 and if it is a SCrew, Battery Junction box 20 AMP fuse #12.