Accessory Power in Fuse Box

[bbro44]

Hey y'all,

I'm working on wiring up a small control box and need a power source that only activates with accessory power. I thought it would be straightforward to tap into the fuse box, but I've tried several fuses and haven't found one that is accessory-only.

Does anyone have a list of fuses that would work for this?

Thanks!

06 dodge 1500

 

[bm02tj]

Find fuse for the radio and use a piggy back holder with extra fuse

 

[bbro44]

Find fuse for the radio and use a piggy back holder with extra fuse

I wanna say that was the first one I tried, and it had power even with accessory turned off, but I can't believe that... I'll have to try again.

 

[Jigs-n-Fixtures]

i Know old thread. But if I don't see a clear answer to the OP's question, I try to add one. That way the thread has some value to folks with similar issues who find it in a search.

The radio probably needs a constant power source to keep the programming. There should be a second radio fuse which is switched. There should be a 10 or 15-amp fuse to the keyed accesory plug/cigarette lighter which is powered off the accessory side. That fuse may also power the radio. It is probably the best one to hook to. But check teh fuse panel, there may actually be a spare socket with nothing hooked to it. Depends on what accessories were installed. It is less expensive to make one plastic fuse block, and then only wire up the ones needed for the build.

My suggestion is to: Probe the fuse block with a test light with the ignition off. Anything which lights up, put a dot of paint pen, or some nail polish on it. Then put the ignition in the accessory mode, and probe the fuses with a test light, and see what comes on, and mark them with a different color. Finally with the ignition on, probe the unmarked fuses with the test light to verify they are igniton hot and mark the ones which light up with a different color. To make it easier, there should be little access holes for the probe tip, in the fuse body.