Wiring Tailgate Items to Electrical Sources

[Chess_Tramp]

I have two new products that I am installing on my 2022 JLUR tailgate that I need to tap into existing electrical sources. I have spent DAYS searching and reading threads, the Wiring Diagrams in this sub-forum, and watching YouTube videos. I know how to remove panels and route the wires. I have a pretty good idea what my options are as to which wires to tap into, but I would appreciate some expert confirmation:

LICENSE PLATE RELOCATION: I bought the 12v LED Bolts from Amazon to illuminate the plate that will be relocated to the center of my spare tire. It seems to me that the simplest solution is to tap into the Jeep-side of the Right Rear Tail Lamp harness.
Please confirm: POSITIVE = White Wire w/ Orange Stripe. (RIGHT SIDE MARKER CONTROL). NEGATIVE = Black Wire.

NOTE 1: Some threads / videos describe tapping into the Blue & Purple wires on the Tail Lamp-side of the harness, but this doesn't seem like the cleanest installation to me.

NOTE 2: Many videos suggest that the "proper" solution is to run wires all the way over to the left side of the Jeep to tap into the original license plate light wires. (White w/Dark Blue Stripe & Black). I suspect this solution is based on the notion that if you stick with the original wiring then there will be less chance of having a problem. More than one installation video has suggested that the JLUR system will recongize that this original circuit is "broken" if not used, and may display a n annoying warning. Does anyone KNOW from their experience whether wiring to the original circuit is NECESSARY to avoid "broken circuit" issues?

TAILGATE TABLE LIGHT: This is a switched 12v light that is part of my AAL Versa Table. I want to be able to turn it on/off when the Jeep is off. The manufacturer's instructions says "Everyone has their own way they like to wire-in accessories, so we leave this step up to the installer's discretion." ?
They also say "Most people simply tie the surface light into the rear 12v Port power."

I haven't found much information on wiring solutions at the rear of the Jeep for this objective. Is there any "always on" source of power in the vacinity of the right, rear tail lamp side of the JLUR? Or is the only viable / most straightforward solution to run the wiring over to the left side to tap into the 12v Port?

Thanks,
Bill

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[Initial-Jeep]

Googling for this information brought me here: the same question for the same reason, a beautiful AAL Versatable.

 

[GRAK]

I don’t know anything about the right side tail light, I’m sure you could. Kind of felt that if I get a stronger spare tire carrier they often dig into that side so wanted to keep wiring away from there for the future. So I bought this for the 12v port on the left

https://www.quadratec.com/p/stinger-offroad/accessory-power-t-harness-wrangler-jl-jk-ch-12pwrh

and some wiring loom cloth tape

Tesa 51608 Black Fuzzy Fleece... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NN6B9R6?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Makes it pretty easy. Just don’t leave your tailgate table light on all night.

 

[Chess_Tramp]

Grak, thank you for bringing that "plug and play" solution to my attention. I noticed that the product's description states: "Keyed Power: Since the Accessory Power T-Harness only receives power when the Jeep is on, you do not need to worry about your accessories needlessly draining your battery."

I do want a solution where the table light works when the Jeep is "off". That said, I happened across a YouTube video last night that describes how to move a fuse to make the rear 12v power outlet "always on". I have not attempted this or researched this idea further.

VIDEO: How to make your Jeep Wrangler power outlet always stay on.

 

[GRAK]

Grak, thank you for bringing that "plug and play" solution to my attention. I noticed that the product's description states: "Keyed Power: Since the Accessory Power T-Harness only receives power when the Jeep is on, you do not need to worry about your accessories needlessly draining your battery."

I do want a solution where the table light works when the Jeep is "off". That said, I happened across a YouTube video last night that describes how to move a fuse to make the rear 12v power outlet "always on". I have not attempted this or researched this idea further.

VIDEO: How to make your Jeep Wrangler power outlet always stay on.

Yeah, I didn't understand that either, but the rear socket is always on, the manual is wrong it seems? Mine's always been on, maybe a Rubicon thing? Don't think so, though

I turn the table light on all the time when doing something in the garage and don't even have my keys with me

I'd check yours before getting into the fuses

 

[Chess_Tramp]

For anyone who searches and finds this thread, here is what I learned:

LICENSE PLATE LIGHTING:
>> I successfully tapped into Jeep-side of the Right Rear Tail Lamp harness using:
POSITIVE = White Wire w/ Orange Stripe. (RIGHT SIDE MARKER CONTROL).
NEGATIVE = Black Wire.
>> I have not received any Warnings that my JLUR recognizes that I am not using the original wiring circuit for the OEM rear bumper license plate lights. I was driving for weeks without any license plate lights, and nothing seems amiss with this solution.
>> The thicker wiring harness is near the top of the area under the rear panel, between the roll bar and the grommet that leads down to the tail light. (see pic)
>> You do not need to remove the rear tail lamp. (I did just to figure out which of the wiring harnesses I had to unwrap to find these wires.)
>> It was very useful and reassuring to have a Power Probe to verify the White/Orange wire was correct when I turned the headlights on/off.

TAILGATE TABLE LIGHTING:
>> I never found any information for an “always on” source of power behind the right, rear panel of the JLUR. Therefore, I just ran a wire over to the left-side and tapped into the 12v Port. I used an extra length of wire in case I decide to establish a 12v power distribution panel somewhere in this vicinity in the future.

REMOVING THE REAR INTERIOR PANELS:
>> I found this video the most useful.
>> If you have a JLU with the Subwoofer, there is a T25 screw that needs to be removed on side of the subwoofer near the back seat.
>> Once I had the panel off, I found it useful to mark the connection points so that I knew where to pound when reinstalling.

SOME OF MY FAVORITE TOOLS AND SUPPLIES USED FOR THIS PROJECT:
>> KZYEE KM10 Power Circuit Probe Kit
>> IRWIN VISE-GRIP Wire Stripper
>> Harness Tape (helps prevent rattles where I added connectors.)
>> 3M Scotch Super 33+ Electrical Tape
>> License Plate LED Bolt Lights

 

[Fudster]

Grak, thank you for bringing that "plug and play" solution to my attention. I noticed that the product's description states: "Keyed Power: Since the Accessory Power T-Harness only receives power when the Jeep is on, you do not need to worry about your accessories needlessly draining your battery."

I do want a solution where the table light works when the Jeep is "off". That said, I happened across a YouTube video last night that describes how to move a fuse to make the rear 12v power outlet "always on". I have not attempted this or researched this idea further.

VIDEO: How to make your Jeep Wrangler power outlet always stay on.

The video is accurate in terms of fuses, as is this diagram from the forum:

https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/JL-Wiring-Diagrams/POWER-OUTLETS.pdf

The above diagram breaks down 4 connections to the battery. The one you are interested in is second from left.

My only finding that was different is that my JL came by default from the factory with the cargo area plug (i.e. the "D" pillar plug) always energized (i.e. a battery connection not an ignition connection).

The 2018 manual, if I recall from reading here, has this information on which fuse to move written incorrectly.

Here are all the wiring diagrams: https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/jeep-jl-wrangler-wiring-diagrams.19185/

 

[Chess_Tramp]

Fudster, it also became apparent to me during this project that this rear cargo plug is "alway energized" for my 2022 JL. I didn't have to mess with any fuses.

In fact, I noticed that the plug's cover has an image of a Battery - representing that it is connected directly to the battery. Contrast this to the plug upfront near the driver, which has a Key image - representing that the 12v is only available when the ingnition on.

 

[Viking Jeeper]

Fudster, it also became apparent to me during this project that this rear cargo plug is "alway energized" for my 2022 JL. I didn't have to mess with any fuses.

In fact, I noticed that the plug's cover has an image of a Battery - representing that it is connected directly to the battery. Contrast this to the plug upfront near the driver, which has a Key image - representing that the 12v is only available when the ingnition on.

I can assure you there is a fuse to move in the fuse panel under the hood that changes the rear 12v outlet to switched power. Its all in the owners manual.

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