Expedition "Accessory Outlets"

**CentroniX** · 05-03-2005, 07:42 PM

Sorry if this is in the wrong forum, but I figured this was the closest to my question...

I have a 2003 Expedition that I'm about to start an install in. The vehicle has three "accessory outlets", in addition to the "cigarette lighter outlet". The manual does state not to plug any "12V accessories" in to the cigarette outlet, but never makes mention of how many amps to not exceed...

This leads me to believe that the other outlets will carry a higher amperage than the cigarette outlet. Does anyone know, or can point me in the right direction, to determine how many amps they can handle? If I'm not mistaken, a friend has an '04 Expedition that has "20 AMP MAX" stamped on the outlet, but he's out of town and I can't confirm...

I'm planning on putting my system in the console, so if I it can handle the amps of a 150W Opus, I'd like to just disconnect the outlet on the passanger side of the console, and hook up the Opus there...

Any idears?

**KyleYankan** · 05-03-2005, 07:53 PM

Look in the fusebox. Usually there's a guide. Mine says "Cig light". you can just read the fuse rating there. Look for "Acc plug" or something similiar.

**CentroniX** · 05-03-2005, 08:10 PM

Originally Posted by KyleYankan

Look in the fusebox. Usually there's a guide. Mine says "Cig light". you can just read the fuse rating there. Look for "Acc plug" or something similiar.

Haha, DOH! Didn't even think about that. Here I was looking for schematics, googling all day, and ready to call the dealer! Thanks, will check it in a bit and report back, so future always-do-things-the-hardway newbies might benefit from it.

cent

**KyleYankan** · 05-03-2005, 08:12 PM

Newbie here. Minds just go through stuff in different ways.

**da_kooz** · 05-03-2005, 09:21 PM

I would still recommend running some thicker wire, as I'm 99.9% positive they don't have 8 gauge wire running to that outlet, and with this solution you wouldn't have a "broken" outlet.

**CentroniX** · 05-04-2005, 02:53 PM

Well, the cover of the fuse box shows each fuse and their ratings, but has absolutely nothing to tell you which is which. Guess I'll go over all the documentation from when I bought it, it's gotta be there somewhere!

da_kooz: I agree. My thought is, I've noticed two seperate factory power distrobutions under the dash. There are three heavy guage (not sure of the #) cables coming off the positive battery post. One of them runs through the firewall to behind the dash, where it terminates to a bolt, which has two smaller guage wires (probably around 14-18) that also attach to this bolt, and go up under the carpet. If it's just a short hop (a foot or two) of 14 guage wire to the outlet it wouldn't be as bad; I'm sure the Opus has about the same amount of lengh on it's power leads, which as I understand are 14 guage as well (hadn't seen it yet, should arive tomorrow). My thinking is, this is no different than me running some 8 guage from the battery post to my own distrobution block. All I would need is to add an inline fuse and be set.

Any way, just gathering thoughts at this point. The PC is ready to go, console has already been gutted to make the room, I'm just waiting on my Opus and Lilliput to get here to complete the install. I'll make a final decision once I have everything, have the interior fully torn apart, and the wife is at her Mother's for the day!

cent

**da_kooz** · 05-04-2005, 03:20 PM

That sounds great...I wish my car had a stock wiring setup like that, then I wouldn't have to keep taking everything apart to run more wire. It'd also help if I'd be satisfied with the system I have one of these times....ha...