I have a two-way radio I want to install in my '06 XB. Obviously, the best way to supply power is to run the power cable from the battery, throught the firewall, and to my ham rig. But where is the easiest place to punch a hole in the firewall so that it can be easily routed through the dash?

 

before (hopefully) any1 else jumps in with super sarcastic answer...

you should be able to use 1 of 2 existing gromets on the firewall to run your power thru.. one is where the main wiring comes in thru near the steering column.. other is on passenger side... just slice the boot carefully and fish it thru...

also... check the tech section(link in my sig)... i'm sure under a audio guide theres a short walk thru on it

 

^ What he said will do! What's your call sign?



John

KG6KWX

 

73 de KB1JCY

 

yea run through a preexisting grommet hole. really easy to do

 

No need to run one. There is an empty slot in the interior fuse panel that provides constant power. No need to have the key in the ignition nd no need to poke holes. Also allows you to use a fuse and keep everything clean. I ran an auxiliry terminal from that slot under by drivers seat. Everything runs great. I can't recall if it top left or bottom right, but the info is here on the site. Good luck.

 

That might be the best option. Since the wire to the radio already has a fuse, I'd rather not tap into the lighter plug. I will STFF and see if somebody has posted a pic of the fuse block.

 

From my Auto Dimming Mirror install thread...HTH!
===============================================================
Mounting and pulling wire for the temp sensor was straightforward. Clips in the grill, route the wire through the firewall (I went next to my amp wire) and up the "A" pillar. The wiring harness from the mirror goes up thru the (optional) wire channel/trim and tucks under the front edge of the headliner to the "A" pillar and then down. Popping your tweeter out makes it a lot easier! I made adapter plugs from a fuse and 1/4" female disconnects. This allows you to tap directly into the fuse box.



Heres the fuse box, right wire is constant 12v. Left one is switched 12v. Adapter goes into the right side "socket/leg" of each location. The ground went to an existing ground in the driver's side kick panel.

 

There's a nice "hack" that uses blade-style fuses describe in an old issue of QST Magazine. Basic gist is to drill the postitve side of the fuse and solder your wire to it. Then insert.

The ARRL gets antsy regarding copyright issues. Which is unfortunate because I could of scanned the article and posted it here.

 

I was also looking for a constant 12 volt for 2 headrest screens.

would plugging in the positive for both screens into fuse box as described above be sufficient to power the screens? I tried hooking up the screens to the remote wire for my amps but nothing happened. any help would be appreciated.

 

If you want to run a cable from the battery you can drill a 3/8 inch whole in the fire wall if you have automatic there is a spot thats clear to drill it is where the clutch pedel would be be sure to use a gromet and a fuse holder no more then 12 inches from the battery. For head rest i found out where the get power it is at the cig lighter well thats where mine was done from the dealership for the rs 3.0

 

Tanakasan..

Nice write up! I knew i saw it here somewhere, but could not find it again last night. I used that slot just as you did, and now just run everything under the driver's seat. A little loom, some velcro tape, and nothing moves.

Again, nice tip!!!