Power and ground location inside the car
Thread Starter
Former Vendor
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 18,666
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From: Tampa FL
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12'-'13-'14-'15
Power and ground location inside the car
I am putting in my cutout switch and need to know the best location to get a solid power and ground for my +/- wires? It would be nice to locate something in the dash so I dont have to run leads too far as I plan on putting the switch in the center console by the TC button. Not sure if it matters if it is constant or switched power?
I am also putting an amp behind the passenger seat or in the hatch area and will need a switching power source and a good solid ground back there. Any ideas? Thanks for the help in advance.
Cajun
I am also putting an amp behind the passenger seat or in the hatch area and will need a switching power source and a good solid ground back there. Any ideas? Thanks for the help in advance.
Cajun
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 972
Likes: 11
From: Dawsonville, GA
I grabbed a good ground right behind the shifter, under the console bezel. I seem to recall seeing a factory ground wire there, so I just added mine to it.
For Ign switched +12v, you can plug a fuse tap into the heated seat fuse under the passenger side carpet/footwell area. Just pull the carpet back off the firewall and you'll find the fuseblock.
For the amp, you will want to run a dedicated 12v+ right off the battery. The amp will (should) switch on/off with your head unit. Any aftermarket amp will require far more current than is available under your dash.
I just ran a nitrous system and bottle heater using these locations for switched 12v+. I also moved the battery to the RR storage compartment at the same time... so I have new wires going everywhere.
I found a great way to get wires into the passenger compartment from the engine bay area. The long rubber boot that the steering shaft runs through has plenty of room to pass wires and/or nitrous feed lines. I just reached behind the power brake booster and cut a small slit in the side of it with a razor blade. I fished my wires through with a coathanger, then wire-tied them nice and neat so they would stay clear of the moving steering shaft.
For Ign switched +12v, you can plug a fuse tap into the heated seat fuse under the passenger side carpet/footwell area. Just pull the carpet back off the firewall and you'll find the fuseblock.
For the amp, you will want to run a dedicated 12v+ right off the battery. The amp will (should) switch on/off with your head unit. Any aftermarket amp will require far more current than is available under your dash.
I just ran a nitrous system and bottle heater using these locations for switched 12v+. I also moved the battery to the RR storage compartment at the same time... so I have new wires going everywhere.
I found a great way to get wires into the passenger compartment from the engine bay area. The long rubber boot that the steering shaft runs through has plenty of room to pass wires and/or nitrous feed lines. I just reached behind the power brake booster and cut a small slit in the side of it with a razor blade. I fished my wires through with a coathanger, then wire-tied them nice and neat so they would stay clear of the moving steering shaft.
Last edited by Dragracer_Art; Mar 21, 2012 at 10:52 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 5,022
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From: Tampa FL (formerly Justinjor)
Tech Contributor
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13-'14
For my NPP switch I made, I used a fuse tap in the power seat fuse, and used the amp rack as a ground. So far so good.
For my wideband install, I used power/ground straight from the battery through a hole I drilled in the firewall.
For my wideband install, I used power/ground straight from the battery through a hole I drilled in the firewall.
Thread Starter
Former Vendor
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 18,666
Likes: 395
From: Tampa FL
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12'-'13-'14-'15
I am not sure to tell you the truth, not real good with electric stuff. If I have constant power to the switch but am not operating it there is no draw correct? Kind of like turning on a light switch.
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Sep 2007
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From: Pensacola Florida GO GATORS!!! www.rlsebring.com www.c6c7vette.com
St. Jude Donor '17
Non Z06 Ground just about anywhere. There are grounding post at the Door Jam and hinge pillars.
Postive + I'd go straight to the fuse panel with the right fuse. Cig lighter seems to be on a fairly light fuse and will blow if you look at it wrong. At least mine does...
Postive + I'd go straight to the fuse panel with the right fuse. Cig lighter seems to be on a fairly light fuse and will blow if you look at it wrong. At least mine does...
