How to tap into your cars fuse box safely and cleanly
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- Опубликовано: 8 дек 2016
- In this video we show you how to tap into your fuse box. You may need to do this ta day a radar, Sirius XM, or an amp turn on. the fuse taps we us e you can get here
mini ATM style
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ATM style
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ATC style
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The fuse diagram on the cover at the 1:30 minute mark also indicates which fuses are hot in which circuits--"Power Socket," "Mirror," and "Cigar Lighter" all have an "ACC" header, "Heater Mirror" is under the "IGN" header, and the "hot at all times" fuses have a "BAT" header. This is extremely useful information, and it would save you the step of having to determine which one is "hot with ignition relay energized," for example. One quick look, and you can likely take a remote turn-on signal from the "Mirror" fuse so that your amplifier or other unit will turn on when the key is in the ACC position. I wish my car had that diagram!!
Just recently, I needed to find a true ignition-linked circuit in order to provide a 12v signal to a battery isolator relay. In other words, I had to find a 12v source that would only be energized when the key was in the "On" (and "Start") position but not energized in the ACC circuit. The purpose of this was to have a secondary battery automatically be connected to the starter battery whenever the ignition circuit was energized (so while starting the car, and when the car was running) but not have it connected to the starter battery when the car was not turned on, including when it was in accessory mode. This allows the secondary battery to handle all of the power supply to my audio equipment and aftermarket LEDs when the car is not running, so the starter battery doesn't have to provide power to any big load with the car off, but when the car is on both batteries are running in parallel and are taking charge from the alternator. I ended up adding a fuse tap to the "heated seat" circuit, which I was able to determine was only hot when the ignition coil was hot, by scouring through my car's workshop manual (2017 Ford Escape) but it took a long time to find it. So a simple diagram like the one Nissan includes on their fuse box cover can be invaluable if you're doing something like this. Pretty niche, but I can't be the only one.
Just adding this information here in case someone else who is learning this stuff, like me, will find it useful. Good luck!
😊
Dean, you never know who you're going to help or when. In all my years, I never knew that there were contacts on the top of the fuse where you could check with a meter! I always pulled them to check. Thank you for that one.
My year
Awesome video! Breaks it down and explains it PERFECTLY, especially for someone who was previously clueless like myself. Thanks so much!
Very informative video! Wish I would’ve seen it yesterday before I installed my halo headlights on the Wrangler 😎 I was searching today to see if the tap needed 2 fuses and you answered my question! Thank you.
You're an excellent instructor! Thank you for this exceptionally well-made video.
EXCELLENT video! You answered all of my questions regarding tapping into fuses AND MORE... These are the kind of informational videos that make youtube great... Thanks brother!
A lot of what you said I did not understand, but at the same time you gave the instructions in a way that anybody can follow them. Thanks! You've helped me a lot.
This video has probably got to be the best and most informative video that i have seen in comparison to time, information and quality (meaning you just showed what was needed, nothing more and nothing less)
Thank you for the information !
Good stuff, I also wasn't aware of the fact that it mattered which way you place your fuse tap load or draw side, thanks for the useful info.
I'm sure that it doesn't matter which way around you insert the fuse
@@wolvoman1 It's safer to have it in series, or zig zag like they put it, through the two fuses. That circuit is only meant to handle 10A. Putting it in parallel like they recommend means there can be more than 10A drawn on that circuit, which could burn out a wire or worst case cause a fire.
Very helpful. Clear, concise and to the point. Fantastic video!
Nice production and helpful instruction. At first I didn't like the music in the background. But within about 15 seconds I actually stared to like it. Great job, thanks for the clear info.
Good video, when i was young and inexperienced installing I did not know fuses had load and draw sides so I caught my 94 nissan on fire. While trying to install a small amplifier. thankfully I was able to rip the wire away before it was too bad.
I'm now showing my son how to do things right and your video explained it right on the money.
Thanks,
B
I do a lot of DIY electrical work on my vehicles, and i always tap into the main orange accessory wire in the ignition which is dangerous. Thanks to this video, I can now do it safely using the fuse box tap method. You learn from your mistakes, so far no fires
Wow love how you guys do everything with all details
Best walkthrough for this I've found very detailed and clear explanation. Thanks very much just did some footwell lighting my first "mod" love it cheers man
Watched sooo many videos on this and yours was the first that explained it well enough for someone who knew nothing.
Man, I thought i was good with car electricals until i watched your video. Your video is very educative and well presented too. Keep it up!!!
Installing my first boss radio, this is the info i been surching for weeks lol
Thank you for all the great videos. I can’t tell you how much they help me with my first total sound system upgrade.
Hello five star stereo I want to thank You guys for the great videos . My old car had no stereo or wires I could use . Thanks to your videos I was able to locate a ground a constant and did the fuse box adapter for ignition power and now I am jamming thanks. Hey Fernando Puro Pinche Parri!!
This was very helpful. I didn’t know about the "load side" nor did I know that one fuse on a tap should be less than the other. Thanks so much! Glad I watched this, first.
It doesn't matter which way around you insert the fuse
@@wolvoman1 the fuse yeah, but what about the fuse tap?
@@wolvoman1 6:30 watch again, he is not referring to the fuse smh
6:55 fuse doesn't always have to be lower, it can be the same.
Fuse size is dependant on wire size, ie. 14g wire is good up to a 15 amp fuse. 16g wire is good up to a 10 amp fuse.
Awesome video. Wish more people presented tutorials as perfectly as you did here. Great job, guys!
You think using a leech fuse is professional ?
Do the job properly, it shows he has no certification to even understand DC electricity
@@davidrobertson5700 Google "leech fuse", what do you see? Are you talking about the fuse tap?
Great explanation! Getting ready to wire my radar detector in and never looked at it the way you presented it. Thanks!
if someone needs to know how to make proper tutorials and explainations, they should learn from you sir! you sir are the best! love to watch all of your videos!
To help make sure you use those, "add a circuit" fuses it helps to find which way it needs to go by leaving the lower fuse out(only have the upper fuse installed) & checking for voltage though the added wire! This way you know you have it installed correctly where each circuit is isolated on its own fuse & only after you do see the voltage you install the lower fuse!
Awesome you made it really clear to understand 👏🏻 thanks for making this video. Youre the best👌🏻
Really nice explainer. Thanks for sharing the details of load/draw orientation as well as those little metal jobbies that hook onto the fuse. Didn't know about any of that!
Really helpful cause I was trying to look ways to help me instal my light kit correctly and also not harm myself or my car in the process. Thanks bro
Is this adult Morty?
In all seriousness, you are a lifesaver.
Installer Morty lol
Learned something new today!! Thanks
great informative video... clear and concise. I don't understand why people would put a thumbs down. Some people are just negative or jealous
Performed a flawless led set up thanks to you!!!! Draw and load works for me
Another way to make sure you have it connected correctly. Install the fuse that was removed from the fuse block and plug it into the fuse tap where it belongs. Connect the tap into the fuse block. Connect the red lead to your meter and ground the black lead from the meter. Turn on the key if connected to an accessory circuit. If you have power without the secondary fuse installed just reverse the tap. It should have no power until the secondary fuse is connected.
Thanks man ! You just answered my question
💪😎🙏
Thanks!
That's exactly my problem !
Amazingly helpful comment. Between the video itself and this comment i hope everybodys troubles are solved as mine were! Easily!
Is there a way to connect a 2 prong onn/off switch to oneof those fuse taps and then connect the switch to another thing?
My idea was to make so that i connect 12v switch to the fuse box and it controlls on/off function on a led strip
"Load" and "Draw" work for you.
Correct electrical terms are "Line" and "Load".
Line would be your 12volt, non fused side.
Load would be the accessory, fused side.
As an electrician, we calculate "load" to determine the fuse size.
No criticism intended.
Thanks for making this video. It is very helpful and useful!
Now, where can I find the ATMLP fuse taps?
+Chris Denton Amazon is were we get them
Thanks!
Hope your boarded up for the storm.
Stay safe guys!
THANK YOU. THIS WAS BUGGING ME THE WHOLE TIME
I think that's what he covers in the first part of the video. You need to test it with a light tester or a voltimeter to be sure.
From an old Electronics Tech we normally call it supply side and load side. In Electronics the Power "Supply" is where the supply typically comes from, that or a battery. No criticism meant there as well.
Oh man, you are a star, I've been looking everywhere regarding what is the load side of one of those fuse holders!!!! Thank you sooooooooooooooooooo much!
Very detailed video! Good thing I saw this, since most DIY videos do not explain that concept.
Very useful video. I never knew about the load and draw side of fuses. I assumed you could put them in either way. Thanks!
Patrick Barbour Thank You for this information. I was worried that my fuses where oriented wrong on my fuse box. Thanks.
@Patrick Barbour Thanks! For a second I thought I potentially replaced my fuse incorrectly.
Patrick Barbour Thanks for the clarification.
@Patrick Barbour yeah bro, good information. Thanks. Hopefully you're not a troll lol
@@xjcrossx yeah same, lmao ....somebody else please verify ???
Wow I thought I knew how to do this, I guess I've been lucky in the past I didn't burn anything up, the load and draw info is invaluable. Thank you for a short consise video, the music could go though, your good enough without it.
The load side of the fuse is the side of the fuse that becomes “dead” if the fuse blows
@@secretdad544 that comment may have just helped, terminology confusion.
Good on ya mate. Keep it up 👍
@@janodjano5828 Good on you mate. Take care 👍
Very informative video, Barney style instructions which is exactly what myself and many others need! Thank you.
First video that accurately and clearly explains this stuff. Nice video!
Bro you’ve saved the day on so many levels for me. I appreciate this so much thank you!!
Same here!!
Yup agreed, quarantine left me with time to mess with my car and this just saved me time and screwups
Day
Note that the little contacts on top of the fuse will both show power (unless the fuse is blown), because they have continuity through the fuse element. To find the hot side you have to remove the fuse and test the plugs directly. Also, I can't think of a reason the bottom fuse in the tap would need to have a higher relative rating, unless you're inserting it backwards and making current flow through both fuses to reach the lead. Inserted the right way, each fuse is dedicated for its own circuit and should be rated independently.
3 years later you have saved me from much frustration
Thank you for making this process dummy proof! Did it all by myself and works great! :D
Hey thank you for this I never knew these existed I always just ran a wire around the fuse and I always thought that looked sloppy. Now it’s nice and cleanly done thank you. I added two charger ports on the back of my armrest for my rear passengers so I don’t have to figure it out from the front plugs
very well explained.
and I have learned something new. Useful, thank you
thanks guys! very informative. big hellos from Australia!
Good stuff, I also wasn't aware of the fact that it mattered which way you place your fuse tap load or draw side, thanks for the useful info. thanks again.
This is GOLD! THANK YOU!!!
Absolutely easy and straightforward thanks guys.
“Line” is the unfused supply to the power in leg of a fuse - It’s the power line into the fuse.
“Load” is the electrical load placed on the fuse
It supplies the electrical load connected to the fusible link / aka fuse
Draw (current draw) refers to the current drawn from a circuit by a given load. Vary the load and you change the draw.
The function of the fuse/ fusible link is to limit current drawn to a level that guage (cross sectional thickness) of wire can carry without getting so hot that it causes the insulation to melt or catch fire.
A thicker copper wire can carry a larger current draw and supply a larger electrical power load.
Nice video though. 🙏
Excellent job bro! Only thing I would ad is..
Make sure that added fuse assembly will fit in the orientation you want it to.
Again. Excellent job!
Line side is from your power source, load side goes to your accessory (off road lights, amplifier, etc)
That’s what I was thinking.
Exactly!
One additional item that I would like to know. Do the adapters fit so you can replace the Fuse box covers properly, with the additional height of the adapters, may or may not clear the cover? Many different fuse boxes with different vehicles. So maybe you end up creating a slot/hole in the cover? Pigtail also needs to be fished out of the box somehow? Nice video and thanks.
On my car, it needed a hole. Or at least the cops added holes. (Trying to figure this out myself for a lightbar I'm installing.)
Thanks guys. This was very clear, concise and well done!
Wow. I was about to snap. I jus bought a used challenger rt and decided to throw a better stereo in it. I’ve installed more aftermarket stereos than I can remember but never have a run into this. I start wiring my harness and the dodge harness has no 12v switched wire. At first I thought it was a mistake made by the factory. Nope apparently stock stereos in newer cars just run on hopes n dreams. Anyway I was about to give up hope and then I found this. Thank you so much. I hope you still actively make videos. I’m gonna follow for sure. Thanks again
nice vid very helpful
wsatnutter thank you
8:50 Thanks Fernando for this useful tutorial! :-)
This video was absolutely amazing buddy thx a bunch...my Mercedes ECU is not sending the signal for my cooling fan to turn on so instead of forking out 2k for a ECU going to buy a thermostatic fan switch and use that..and I need a ground ,constant power and ignition power to it and now I know how to wire the ignition wire safely and cleanly..thx man
Thank you for this video! Helped me install my new fog lights to my car.
This sure beats splicing into cigarette lighter wiring. I added a Volt meter using a tap and it works great.
aaaah, another good idea!
if your tapping into an open spot (unused spot) would you need to put the primary fuse in or just the secondary fuse for the new circuit. I'm guessing only the secondary? If im wrong how would you determine what amp fuse is needed for the primary.
Mohsin Ali you are right, just the secondary fuse.
@@FiveStarCarStereoInc How do you determine what size to use for the secondary if you're tapping an unused slot? Does it matter?
@@chrisphillips4761 you choose the fuse based upon the accessory you are adding. Although, consideration of the capabilities of the circuit feeding your chosen location would be a great idea.
Thanks man, solved my problem at 4:06 I was installing power seat on my mk2 santa fe, seat worked when connected straight from battery, but when I plugged into fuse box it didnt work all problem was that I needed to flip fuse tap and it works 👌
Awesome video. It was just the right one I needed to set up some lights in my truck.
6:55 fuse doesn't always have to be lower size, it can be the same size
Lower
Where can I find the brass fuse tabs that you showed as an alternative to the add a circuit? I tried looking on Amazon but I'm not quite sure the exact verbiage to search for.
Patrick Zweygardt They're on Amazon just type in "Brass fuse tap" .
WirthCo 30800 Battery Doctor Fuse Tap Kit for Mini Fuses www.amazon.com/dp/B000CQDRTI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_0ca2CbDS6E674
Very well done video......most informative......I am in the process of checking some Auto Electricians work that I paid for and found some errors that have forced me to check all his work. This video confirms my suspicions. Many thanks .....
Well done just like the first two guys I didn't know either I learn something very valuable I'm going to put in a backup camera I'm glad I watch you guys first thank you very very much
I love that you literally cant drive that car in your garage without scraping the bottom.
How the hell did they drive the Dodge viper in there that one episode!
Lmao....pure gold.
0:03
0:09
Drive garage
@@lowhertzhighspl viper
load and draw are same thing. you have a feed "hot all time" and a load or draw side.
Forgot to mention your video really did help me, and you did a great job. Thanks
Excellent video. Never knew those taps existed. Thank you.
Are taps and fuses labeled load and draw?
How am I supposed to know which side is which?
It doesn't matter if you are just replacing a blown fuse. If you watch the video he shows with the volt meter how to ck. Basically put the black lead on a ground and touch the fuse block connections. The one with voltage s the load
No... @cheif60 is asking, "how do you know which side of the fuse itself"... not the block as in the video?
not gonna lie, when I was in high school I used to do the wrap thing around the fuse then cram it back in..... I'm an adult now lol, but thanks for the tap info
jmaslin we see it all the time
thank you very much for taking the time and explaining this in detain, many other video's on installing taps never brought the hot side or even got into detail like you did thanks again. helped me greatly!.
Subscribed!
Ty for breaking this stuff down to basics!
Still don’t get which way round the fuse has to go in the fuse box
You will need some type of circuit tester. He used a voltmeter. I have a $9 AutoZone tool with a very sharp pointy tip. The tool has a see-thru clear plastic handle with a lamp inside. While the ignition is ON, sticking the pointy end into one of the receptacles in the fuse box, (or the tiny holes at the fuse end like he did at 3:21 ) the lamp comes on. THAT side of the receptacle or tiny hole is what HE calls the LOAD side. (You can think of what HE calls the LOAD as directly connected to the positive side of the battery. What HE calls the LOAD side is where you should add the new gadget.
0:02 under car damage this is why i avoid garages like this
lmao
Thank you!! I had an auto vox dash cam installed and it recorded a crash involving my vehicle. I had to troubleshoot because i had bought a new model of the same vehicle. Whole new fuse type and everything. You video helped out alot with the load and which side go where. Much appreciated.
Vic O. Thank you glad we could help
. Seriously great video, helped me understand alot, not in the least hot
side and cold side. makes perfect sense now.
4:56 What are "little guys" actual name?
Did you find out?
Fuse taps as well
Not exactly related to the topic but... I'd be a bit worried about a shop that grounds a un-modded Infinity just driving it in....
Lmao he scrapped the dirt off the bottom. It’s an addition 120$ fee
Love their vids! Great installers and teachers! I hope they make millions and one day I would like shake their hands.
Wow! This video sure help me, I have more confidence now and other thing I didn't know a fuse has to go a certain way. thanks
@6:50 you put a 10 amp fuse in low side. then you said the load side had to be lower and you put a 25 amp in. im confused. Sorry just asking!
chadwick thurmond it looks like a 25 amp fuse but it is a 7.5 amp fuse. 25 amp fuses are clear in color.
chadwick thurmond I was wondering the same thing. no engineering degree... just a guy trying to keep things straight in the face of non standard terminology. I believe it's line for power from the battery and load out, correct?
The sum of both fuses should ideally be at most the fuse value that was originally in that location as to not draw more current than the vehicle wiring was designed for.
MountainVisions hi would I be able to put two fuses of the same amp in. Also can I piggyback of a a constant fuse for a constant live wire thanks
Get a new pair of reading specs :-) The fuse you think is a 25 amp is actually a 7.5 amp fuse. I made the same error until I looked closer
why are you calling the side that leads to the battery "load" ? One of the few things I remember from my degree as an electrical engineer is that "load" means the path heading towards the device that is using the electricity, not the source of the electricity
electronics.stackexchange.com/questions/95874/when-people-talk-about-a-device-drawing-current-what-do-they-mean-why-do-dev
David Aliprandi I was wondering the same thing. no engineering degree... just a guy trying to keep things straight in the face of non standard terminology. I believe it's line for power from the battery and load out, correct?
well he probably doesn't have electrical engineering degree(otherwise he is the most over qualified car electrician ever) and simply meant the 'Hot' side.
So, for clarification for this non-electrician, should I place the fuse tap for my aftermarket stereo ignition wire on the side that registers voltage on the meter or the side that does not register voltage?
@@texasknowhow3143 think of load as it's loading power to the fuse. Draw means it's drawing power fr the fuse. If you connect your accessory to the load (hot) side then you're essentially bypassing the fuse. Connect the device to the draw side. So if the fuse blows the power between the load and draw is broken. When connected to the draw side it will kill power to the device.
If you improperly connect the device to the load (hot) side and the fuse blows it will still give power to the device because it's connected before the part of the fuse that breaks which is what actually what kills the power .
In other words. Connect the device or remote wire to the side of the fuse that doesn't get 12v power
Very informative and helpful, thank you guy. Keep up the great work.
Thanks for the info, really appreciate the explanation and how to test the fuse plug before attaching any fuse taps. I never knew it had to be plugged in a certain orientation.
had no clue how they worked . so just stayed away from them . thanks
pissed off it like having a wall outlet that weirdly has only one outlet. You add an extension cord (fuse tap) to create more outlets. In this case, you add a fuse tap, you now have 2 instead of one opening. I suck at explaining lol
I'd be absolutely delighted if someone would show me how to put the lid back on the fuse box after fitting a fuse tap. Go on . . . do it, I dare you.
If you were 5 Star C.A. you'd make a new one from abs/pvc/hdpe/etc
lol just be patient and look at what your doing there's a whole lot of ways to do something and once you hit a dead spot start over and see what can be done easier for fitment " PATIENT " lol good luck safety first
Great video. Tks for showing the different types of fuses and taps.
Always learning about 12v tricks, Thank You !
Way to bottom out the car pulling it into the shop LOL.
pprotory Good thing it was Fernando's ride.
Informative video, but the background music too loud for my sensitive ears
Thank you for sharing. I now have a fun Animal/Siren/Tunes/PA installed thanks to you and Advance Auto.
Great video! Answered all my questions and then some. Thanks for taking the time to educate.
Why do people add MUSIC to their videos making the SPEAKER HARD TO HEAR???? Oh My God it is EXCRUICATING trying to listen to the speaker with the MUSIC....
What are you talking about the music wasn't even loud!
Thank you! It took forever to find this type of video. Very thorough!
Thank you this is very helpful to know before I try to hard wire a dash cam to my car. Like the comment below I had no idea there was a load/draw side, I'm really glad you explained that part! Also the bit showing how to test with a volt meter, other videos say to do that but they don't show how to actually do it. Not everyone is good with electronics, thanks for showing this part!
Blue Rabbit I am going to be doing a hardwire dash cam to my car too. Hanging wires looks like hell! How did you make out? What fuse amp sizes did you use? (I am using a tap in a 15A cig lighter) . Please let me know!
@@canadude6401 Hi, sorry I ended up just tucking the wires under the top and side panels in the end. There are no visible wires apart from the cigarette lighter connector so it doesn't look bad at all. I do intend to do it properly one weekend when I have time but for now I've done it the lazy way due to lack of time! Good luck with your hardwiring :)
Best explanation I ever seen, Thanks! Like the commenter below I never knew there was a difference from one side or the other.
Awesome! I was able to hook up LED Halos on my ‘98 Tacoma after watching this.