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Got a retro look radio and wanting to wire it in. I have a 12 volt system, but I can't seem to find a good place to wire in for power. Ideally I'd like to use one of those piggy back connectors and jump on to another power source. Any suggestions? Thanks!

Make sure that is a 12 V radio.

Fuse it separate from anything else. Hopefully you have an empty fuse slot. If not buy a multiple fuse holder that way you got extras for future stuff. I like Cole Hersee.

Dan Bentler

If you have an original type wiring setup, radios are usually connected to either the ammeter on the load side, or at the non-switched side of the ignition switch. An inline fuse would normally be used for a radio. This arrangement means that the radio is not turned off by the ignition switch.

If your radio is 6V and your truck is 12 v, you will need some kind of reducer. A voltage reducer will get pretty hot so you would need to allow for the heat.

Its a 12v radio, and has a inline fuse. So, should I just run direct to the battery terminal or piggy back off any powered acc?

If you hook it up to "the battery terminal" then the current going to your radio will show up as "charging" current. You want to be on the load side of the ammeter.

I just re-read your post. If your radio is a 12 volt model, it will probably draw half or less current than a six volt. I would suggest hooking it up with the inline fuse to the switched side of the ignition switch. If you piggy back on another accessory, you want to make sure that the feed to that accessory is heavy enough to take the two of them.

i apologize for my ignorance on electrical. just want to be clear... on the ignition switch side meaning directly to a wire off the ignition switch itself? appreciate the guidance!

On your ignition switch, there is one terminal that is connected to the ammeter. This is the feed to the switch and it is always live. There are one or two other terminals that are wired to things like the ignition coil, the heater and the dash lights and gas gauge. I am suggesting that you add your radio feed with the inline fuse to one of the two switched terminals. This will make sure the radio is off when the ignition is turned off.

By the way, don't worry about asking questions. We all do a lot of that and it is what the Stovebolt is all about.

alrighty, i'll give it a try tomorrow and see what comes about. Wish i could find someone local that has some time to pick their brain, and maybe steal some wrenchin time from them!