Accessing 12V for powered tonneau

[Aminorjourney]

Hi folks.
So we have a Retrax Powertrax tonneau and it comes with a 12V tap for the 12V battery.

I’ve never been a fan of taking things directly from the battery and instead like to go through the stock fuse box. Except when I accessed it under the hood, I’m not 100% sure how to access the underside to wire a new line into a free space in the box.

There’s some pretty beefy 275 and 300 amp DC lines connected on the far side of the box, and even with the relevant bolts removed I can’t see how I could lift the fuse bed up to access wiring underneath.

Thoughts?

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[MapleMan650]

What about a fuse tap?

Bussmann (BP/HHH-RP) ATM Mini Circuit Converter https://a.co/d/6QxqdNg

 

[theblunden]

The fuse panel even has a 110 outlet..... Clearly joking

 

[Aminorjourney]

Ha!
As to the fuse tap - I could just pull 12V from one of the 12V taps in the box… but the cover wouldn’t fit quite as nicely.

I’d hoped to get a 12V switched supply rather than an always on, but meh.

 

[skiborsy]

We wired ours straight to the battery. Double check that they have the wiring to the light and motor connected correctly - ours was reversed from the factory by Retrax (which we figured out after going through a couple fuses).

 

[Aminorjourney]

We wired ours straight to the battery. Double check that they have the wiring to the light and motor connected correctly - ours was reversed from the factory by Retrax (which we figured out after going through a couple fuses).

Thank you! I'll check before we install - We've just run the wires so the cover is NEXT. - Nikki.

 

[broncoaz]

What about pulling power from the 7 pin trailer harness? You can get an adapter to tap into so you don’t have to cut any truck wiring. I’m not certain is the 12v is hot all the time on the Ford. I used the Hotshot harness to wire the backup lights on my Bronco, I also tapped into the running light wire on the adapter for the backlighting.

https://hotshotoffroad.com/collections/custom-products/products/universal-hitchpod-s1-harness

https://www.putco.com/product/blade-quick-connect-harness/

 

[alainboston]

Ha!
As to the fuse tap - I could just pull 12V from one of the 12V taps in the box… but the cover wouldn’t fit quite as nicely.

I’d hoped to get a 12V switched supply rather than an always on, but meh.

Hi Nikki!
Good to find you here. I love your youtube channel!
I'm still wondering how you ended up tapping the fuse box?
I had already ordered the PowerTraxPro and bed rug for my anti-matter Blue Lariat SR, then I came across your channel with the same combination! And I feel better about reserving the ceramic coating after your testimony.
My truck arrives this week. Any info would be appreciated.
Cheers,
Alain in Boston

PS If you start a LGBTQ Lightning club, let me know! Or if you need an east coast correspondent...

 

[Aminorjourney]

I ran the cables all the way from the battery! - Nikki

 

[alainboston]

I will see if I can successfully tap the fuse box 12V and report here!
If not, I might go the trailer hitch way. We'll see!
Thanks!

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