From Newsgroup: rec.autos.tech


Bought a 1KW power inverter for the truck a while back, had to buy a pair of
2 gauge
power cables as well and ran them from the battery directly to the inverter power input.
Seemed to work however the power button on the inverter , when off still
means its drawing
standby power from the battery so it killed the battery one day.

Solution was a seperate 50A power relay which I am hooking up. One end is on the battery,
other will go to inverter but the relay needs 12V to activate and make that connection.

I found a ground nearby but I will need a tap into the eng compartment
fusebox to
a feed thats hot with 12V only when engine is running and or in ACC position on the
ignition key.

I have seen some diagrams online but not 100% sure the best location to tap into?

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From Newsgroup: rec.autos.tech

On 5/29/2026 9:43 AM, UFO wrote:

Bought a 1KW power inverter for the truck a while back, had
to buy a pair of 2 gauge
power cables as well and ran them from the battery directly
to the inverter power input.
Seemed to work however the power button on the inverter ,
when off still means its drawing
standby power from the battery so it killed the battery one
day.

Solution was a seperate 50A power relay which I am hooking
up. One end is on the battery,
other will go to inverter but the relay needs 12V to
activate and make that connection.

I found a ground nearby but I will need a tap into the eng
compartment fusebox to
a feed thats hot with 12V only when engine is running and or
in ACC position on the
ignition key.

I have seen some diagrams online but not 100% sure the best
location to tap into?

Should be taps open at the fusebox for switched or
unswitched 12v ( you want 'switched' power). Use one of
those. Fuses are nice to have in the circuit.
--
Andrew Muzi
am@yellowjersey.org
Open every day since 1 April, 1971
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From Newsgroup: rec.autos.tech

About a yr ago was looking into stuff on fuse-box.info site
so relocated the page here:

https://fuse-box.info/ford/ford-f-150-1997-2003-fuses-and-relay#1998

I printed a paper copy of the eng compartment diagram and highlited fuse No.
6
which it says is 15A and used for :

"Radio, Premium Sound Amplifier, CD Changer"

This is my eng compartment box with the door open:
https://ibb.co/fzj6FrSr

Since I'd like for the ACC ignition mode to put it hot, thought the feed to the stereo
would be ideal....the relay only draws perhaps 100mA at best....so probably could go right on that
fuse somehow?

I was thinking of tinning the end of the stranded copper wire , removing the fuse and
pressing it against the fused side blade of the fuse. Otherwise it means opening up that
birds nest and trying to splice it in permanently.

Else I could feed it thru the firewall grommet which already has a hole for the + side off the
switched relay going under the dash. Would have to I guess locate the stereo power feed and splice into the
wire....

Should be taps open at the fusebox for switched or unswitched 12v ( you
want 'switched' power). Use one of those. Fuses are nice to have in the circuit.

--
Andrew Muzi
am@yellowjersey.org
Open every day since 1 April, 1971

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From Newsgroup: rec.autos.tech

Well I pulled loc 6 fuse and the 2 sides read 12V hot all the time, so I
dont think thats a good spot.

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From Newsgroup: rec.autos.tech

On 5/31/2026 12:15 PM, UFO wrote:

About a yr ago was looking into stuff on fuse-box.info site
so relocated the page here:

https://fuse-box.info/ford/ford-f-150-1997-2003-fuses-and-
relay#1998

I printed a paper copy of the eng compartment diagram and
highlited fuse No. 6
which it says is 15A and used for :

"Radio, Premium Sound Amplifier, CD Changer"

This is my eng compartment box with the door open:
https://ibb.co/fzj6FrSr

Since I'd like for the ACC ignition mode to put it hot,
thought the feed to the stereo
would be ideal....the relay only draws perhaps 100mA at
best....so probably could go right on that
fuse somehow?

I was thinking of tinning the end of the stranded copper
wire , removing the fuse and
pressing it against the fused side blade of the fuse.
Otherwise it means opening up that
birds nest and trying to splice it in permanently.

Else I could feed it thru the firewall grommet which already
has a hole for the + side off the
switched relay going under the dash. Would have to I guess
locate the stereo power feed and splice into the
wire....

Should be taps open at the fusebox for switched or
unswitched 12v ( you want 'switched' power). Use one of
those. Fuses are nice to have in the circuit.

--
Andrew Muzi
am@yellowjersey.org
Open every day since 1 April, 1971

I don't know but similar Ford inverter installation comments
here:

https://www.f150forum.com/f6/mounting-power-inverter-576233/

More detailed here:

https://www.f150online.com/forums/1997-2003-f-150/428642-power-inverter-installation-right-way.html

One man's installation with photos and comments:

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/848295-power-inverter-install-long-w-lots-of-pics-3.html
--
Andrew Muzi
am@yellowjersey.org
Open every day since 1 April, 1971
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