Adding Accessory 12V and USBs to rear - Wiring Help

[balbright18]

Hey everyone, I'll try to keep this short and to the point!

I have a Dometic 45 and a jackery that I'm trying to wire up in my Jeep JL.

Current Situation: Jackery is plugged into factory 12V, dometic into the jackery; when jeep is running the jackery charges + runs the fridge; when the jeep is off jackery powers the fridge (REAR FACTORY 12V is ONLY HOT WHEN IGNITION IS ON, which is what I want!)

What I'd like to do: Add a new dedicated 12V accessory panel to the rear of the JL so I don't have to use the horribly located factory outlet which also has a very thin gauge wire. I bought the accessory panel already which comes with wiring to go directly to the battery. PROBLEM: I want the new accessory panel to be ignition controlled like the factory 12V is so that when the Jeep is off my jackery doesn't pull from the battery as the fridge runs.

I've been researching all day and came across some ideas (fuse taps & a relay switch's) but even though I'm pretty skilled working on my jeep...electrical is not my specialty!. I don't want to do any fancy switches at this point or major mods want to keep it simple just for the fridge set up for the time being. Any and all suggestions would be great!

Thanks
Brendan

Sponsored

 

[JAF1]

Do you have the auxiliary switches? If so, I just did this a month ago. Just an idea for you.

I wired up an additional 12v socket in the cargo area and went about it a little different then I've seen here and wanted to share.

I used one of the 40amp aux switches (aux. #2) that uses 12 gauge wire under the dash as my power source. To make wiring easier I ran 12 gauge wire along the passenger side and mounted the socket next to the roll bar as shown above. I found a socket mount very similar to the ARB but with the cigarette lighter socket already included. (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07JL3DLNL?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details)

This gives me the option, via the settings menu, to either have that socket switched, off, or constant 12v power. For long trips I'll used it switched with ignition and hooked up to the Jackery since the Jackery will just keep pulling power until the battery runs dead. And for a day trip just running the fridge, I'll keep the 12v on all the time since the fridge has voltage protection built in and don't need to take the Jackery. This give me piece of mind knowing I shouldn't be able to run down the main battery. Also shouldn't have any worries with volt drop running 12 gauge wire on a 40 amp circuit.

 

[balbright18]

Unfortunately I don't have the factory AUX switches. Kicking myself for not including them in my build right now haha.

Your write up is exactly what I want to do though! Just trying to figure out how to get the socket switched off when the ignition is off like you can with the factory aux switches.

 

[JAF1]

All you'll need then is a simple relay tied into an ignition power source and the main battery. You could install the small relay right near the battery and just run your wire back from there.

 

[balbright18]

Any recommendations on a relay? I came across this one on Amazon. And in terms of the ignition power source, would the best bet be to run a fuse tap into one of the ignition controlled fuses or is there another method? Sorry for the what seems very simple questions! I appreciate it; first time hooking anything up other than directly to the battery.

 

[JAF1]

That would work fine. They also sell them with a prewired socket (Relay and socket) as an example. Most auto part stores would also carry these. You definitely want to fuse the main line from the battery. For the ignition power, you'll need to use a meter and tap off a wire or use a fuse tap. You could tap off that same fuse for the rear 12v since you know that's switched.

 

[balbright18]

For anyone who comes across the post in the future just wanted to update. Here’s a picture of the finished product and a diagram of how I wired it up. Thanks JAF for the help and just noticed you’re from Pittsburgh as well. Always nice to see local people on the forums. We’ll have to wheel sometime.

Also can’t take all the credit, the diagram below is from Kevin on OverlandBounds forums. They helped me out a lot too.

 

[ECP]

that looks good! Where did you get the panel and cig adapters?

 

[Genesis Offroad]

that looks good! Where did you get the panel and cig adapters?

We have several options available to do this. On our website you can configure those power panels with 2, 3, or 4 sockets, and select a 12v outlet, dual USB ports, or a voltmeter in each socket and we'll build it to your specs. We also offer the 12v and dual USB outlets individually without the panel. Here's a short video showing how to install that.

 

[ECP]

Shane - I saw this on your website and it mentioned you may create a housing for the 3 socket one. Have you guys created that?

 

[Genesis Offroad]

Not yet but it's still on the to do list. We'll try to work on that after the diesel Gladiator kit launches.

Sponsored