Finding 'Hot" Wire on Run...

[dpfurby]

I have a 1994 Ford Ranger.

I am trying to find a wire that is "hot" only when the engine is running.

My thoughts are to tap off of the original radio power wire, that wire is Hot in ACC or RUN. The new device I am running is one of those little dash cams that draws very little.

Would that be a safe choice for tapping into???

I tried plugging in to the cigarette lighter but it always has power even if the key is off....

Any ideas??

Thanks.

 

[RonD]

Radio will have 2 power wires.
One will be hot all the time, this is for the clock and to hold preset stations in radio
Other will only be hot when key is on or in ACC.

There is a third that will only be hot when lights are on


Look here: http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/radio_wiring_diagrams.shtml

1994 had 2 types of sound systems

You really should tap at the Power side of the radio fuse(not the radio side) and add a lower amp(maybe 5amp) in line fuse to feed your added device, when running wire in a vehicle you will often encounter sharp metal edges, lol, and because of all the vibrations it doesn't take long to get a short.

You can buy inserts for fuse panels that allow you to do this fairly easy.
Google: Fuse Tap

They do make these in Dual fuse, so you put Radio fuse in insert and camera fuse in other slot in insert, you do need to know which side of fuse is power and which side is "load"(radio), you do this by pulling out the fuse and then turning the key on, Power side will have 12volts "load" side will not