Fuse Tap for DRL

[KevinBoston]

Fuse Tap Question. I am adding a fuse tap for my off-road lights DRL. I want to add it to fuse 52 (cigar lighter). I don't have a teser to determine the hot side of the fuse to install it correctly. In that spot, it can only go in one way. Depending on the hot side I may have to find a new location.
If you have advice on where you did your fuse tap let me know and what side was the hot side. It's only a 1 amp draw
2024 Jeep Wrangler Willys
Baja Design LP6 bumper mount

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[THAW]

Install the add-a-fuse with a fuse in only one of its two slots, the slot for the accessory; if the accessory works, the add-a-fuse is oriented correctly with respect to the fuse box hot side.

 

[yokramer]

Install the add-a-fuse with a fuse in only one of its two slots, the slot for the accessory; if the accessory works, the add-a-fuse is oriented correctly with respect to the fuse box hot side.

Wouldnt you want to add it with no fuse, if it works you have it backwards and if it doesnt thats the proper way?

Cause one leg goes straight to the wire coming off and the other is the one that is fused.

 

[yokramer]

Quick shitty ms paint If you put power on B no matter if there is a fuse in there or not you will get power on the wire is how Ive seen all these fuse taps work. So you would want the powered side of the fuse on A and an easy way to check is just plug it in without a fuse if you have it in wrong.

 

[THAW]

Wouldnt you want to add it with no fuse, if it works you have it backwards and if it doesnt thats the proper way?

Cause one leg goes straight to the wire coming off and the other is the one that is fused.

Quick shitty ms paint If you put power on B no matter if there is a fuse in there or not you will get power on the wire is how Ive seen all these fuse taps work. So you would want the powered side of the fuse on A and an easy way to check is just plug it in without a fuse if you have it in wrong.

If there's no fuse in the accessory fuse slot (A to B), the accessory wire (E) won't get power.

 

[Terrymo]

I used that fuse for my Wolfbox Camera and the fuse tap will be oriented the way you want. Not my pic because the Jeeps outside in the rain and I’m too lazy right this sec.i dremeled a u-notch in the lid and used a rubber grommet so you can lift off the lid and not pinch the wire like you see the beginning of in that pic

 

[Terrymo]

@THAW
Ok if you reverse the orientation of the fuse tap with the negative leg in the positive slot…what happens? Does it use the upper fuse for both circuits? Trying to remember why it’s important to know which slot is positive.

 

[THAW]

@THAW
Ok if you reverse the orientation of the fuse tap with the negative leg in the positive slot…what happens? Does it use the upper fuse for both circuits? Trying to remember why it’s important to know which slot is positive.

You've basically got it, but (if I understand the terminology) it's the "lower" fuse that's exposed to all the current.

If the add-a-fuse is installed in the wrong pos/neg orientation, the accessory current flows through the fuse for the "original" device before it flows through the accessory fuse. So if the "original" fuse blows, the accessory will also lose power (though the accessory fuse may still be intact) because it's not on its own, separately-fused power source. And, sharing the "original" fuse can obviously increase the chances of blowing the "original" fuse.

Funny thing, as long as the factory fuse rating is preserved for the "original" fuse (which it should be in all cases), it's actually safer to install the add-a-fuse backward (but perhaps less convenient from the perspective of blown fuses).

 

[PT's19Rubi]

Wouldnt you want to add it with no fuse, if it works you have it backwards and if it doesnt thats the proper way?

This is the easiest way to check. With NO fuses installed, plug in the add-a-fuse. If the accessory works, the add-a-fuse is backwards.

BTW, it's a sin for any DIY'er to not have a multimeter and know how to use it. A $10 - $15 meter at Wally World or Amascam will do for most automotive and household work.

 

[Terrymo]

This is the easiest way to check. With NO fuses installed, plug in the add-a-fuse. If the accessory works, the add-a-fuse is backwards.

BTW, it's a sin for any DIY'er to not have a multimeter and know how to use it. A $10 - $15 meter at Wally World or Amascam will do for most automotive and household work.

I’m trying to visualize this. If if there is no accessory fuse how is the accessory circuit completed

 

[PT's19Rubi]

I’m trying to visualize this. If if there is no accessory fuse how is the accessory circuit completed

Oops, you're right, my method won't work. Someone may have already said - if you leave the new fuse in and the original fuse out and the accessory works, the add-a-fuse is correct. With both fuses installed, the original fuse will feed the new one if the add-a-fuse is backwards. This isn't really a problem unless it overloads the original fuse.

 

[yokramer]

If there's no fuse in the accessory fuse slot (A to B), the accessory wire (E) won't get power.

I’m trying to visualize this. If if there is no accessory fuse how is the accessory circuit completed

Oops, you're right, my method won't work. Someone may have already said - if you leave the new fuse in and the original fuse out and the accessory works, the add-a-fuse is correct. With both fuses installed, the original fuse will feed the new one if the add-a-fuse is backwards. This isn't really a problem unless it overloads the original fuse.

Well shit it shows how long its been since Ive used something like this cause these are the type I was thinking about lol Ive also seen them where you can add your own fuse to it as well that are powered the same way as I was describing.

 

[Terrymo]

Well shit it shows how long its been since Ive used something like this cause these are the type I was thinking about lol Ive also seen them where you can add your own fuse to it as well that are powered the same way as I was describing.

I figured you were talking about something else…or thought I would at least give you the benefit of the doubt. I don’t like using any style of these, and they trigger my OCD but I did use one for the Wolfbox camera.

 

[PT's19Rubi]

I actually like the single fuse with wire out. Lack of space usually make the dual fuse a PITA.

 

[THAW]

Well shit it shows how long its been since Ive used something like this cause these are the type I was thinking about lol Ive also seen them where you can add your own fuse to it as well that are powered the same way as I was describing.

Huh, I'd never seen one of those.

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