Electrical Help Needed!

[Cattywumpuss]

Ok, need help from those more electrically inclined than me. I’m curious about thoughts on installing the below 12V “socket bank”.

I like that it has a master power switch and an inline fuse as well. Looks like it is designed to be connected directly to the battery.

My question is would connecting it directly to the battery (Positive) and a grounding bolt be a good idea or not? I can see running the wires through the passenger firewall for that.

Or would there be a way to connect it to the AUX switches wiring harness and not even have to go through the firewall?

I’m just not sure what is and isn’t a good idea electrics wise. Thanks in advance for any help / feedback! Product pics below.

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[Neomonk21]

If I was installing it I would use an Aux switch. I try not to connect directly to the battery because it could have a very small draw that could drain your battery. I wouldn't trust their on/off switch. You could test it to see if it does draw any power when it's switched off. The Aux switch would give more peace of mind, though.

 

[JTdiRtyD]

With how many ports this thing has, I'm surprised its only a 15a fuse.

Anyways, running it straight to the battery is not a good idea. Should you forget to shut the power off you could end up killing your battery.

You factory AUX wire harness has an ACC wire tucked away in the passenger footwell (not a wire for a switch, but an actual ACC wire). This is probably your best bet as you wouldn't need to waste an AUX switch for something that already has a on/off switch.

 

[Bandit’s Lair]

Second the Aux switch. Are there going to be permanent devices on it? If so I’d hide it as well. Leave it in the “on” position and tuck it back up under some panels. I’d like to do similiar and have a barrel plug bank that is pretty much just a “trip” source for fridge gps things like that but only needs to be on when on a trip.

 

[Cattywumpuss]

If I was installing it I would use an Aux switch. I try not to connect directly to the battery because it could have a very small draw that could drain your battery. I wouldn't trust their on/off switch. You could test it to see if it does draw any power when it's switched off. The Aux switch would give more peace of mind, though.

Ok, that’s what I was thinking too and why I asked about the AUX switches. Thank you for the reply.

 

[Cattywumpuss]

With how many ports this thing has, I'm surprised its only a 15a fuse.

Anyways, running it straight to the battery is not a good idea. Should you forget to shut the power off you could end up killing your battery.

You factory AUX wire harness has an ACC wire tucked away in the passenger footwell (not a wire for a switch, but an actual ACC wire). This is probably your best bet as you wouldn't need to waste an AUX switch for something that already has a on/off switch.

Thank you. I was aware of the 2 extra wires with the AUX switch bundle and was wondering about connecting to one of those like the ACC one. So appreciate the same train of thought and confirmation.

I was also wondering about the 15a fuse with all the outlets on it.

 

[Cattywumpuss]

Second the Aux switch. Are there going to be permanent devices on it? If so I’d hide it as well. Leave it in the “on” position and tuck it back up under some panels. I’d like to do similiar and have a barrel plug bank that is pretty much just a “trip” source for fridge gps things like that but only needs to be on when on a trip.

Thank you for the feedback. I wasn’t sure about the “permanent devices” yet and so wasn’t too sure how hidden away I wanted it. Their video shows it coming with sticky pads to “mount” it to the side of your center console or some such. But tucking it back under some panels is an idea as well.

I did think about tucking it on the passenger side of the center console, towards the firewall so that it was sort of hidden away but also accessible.

Food for thought for sure. I’m still leery about doing any “electrical” work (prefer the mechanical stuff) but know I have to dive in sometime and this seemed like a fairly straightforward wiring job. At least in my mind.

 

[Bandit’s Lair]

Thank you for the feedback. I wasn’t sure about the “permanent devices” yet and so wasn’t too sure how hidden away I wanted it. Their video shows it coming with sticky pads to “mount” it to the side of your center console or some such. But tucking it back under some panels is an idea as well.

I did think about tucking it on the passenger side of the center console, towards the firewall so that it was sort of hidden away but also accessible.

Food for thought for sure. I’m still leery about doing any “electrical” work (prefer the mechanical stuff) but know I have to dive in sometime and this seemed like a fairly straightforward wiring job. At least in my mind.

It shouldn’t be too bad. As soon as you get a working knowledge of power-ground-signal it all becomes very clear in your head. Especially when they’re all 1 unit and used in conjunction. Drawings help a LOT.

 

[EZRider]

I was not aware of an ACC wire in the passenger footwell. Where is it in the footwell? What gauge and color wire?

 

[Cattywumpuss]

I was not aware of an ACC wire in the passenger footwell. Where is it in the footwell? What gauge and color wire?

This is the wire guide chart from my JT manual for my 2026 JT:

 

[Bayrat]

I have one of those except I ordered with the aux cigar lighter for a connection as I have that in my truck up front. When I travel, I use it, but unplug the thing for the night as I do not trust it. If you wire via a switch, as mentioned, turn it off when not needed to protect from fire etc.

 

[Cattywumpuss]

I have one of those except I ordered with the aux cigar lighter for a connection as I have that in my truck up front. When I travel, I use it, but unplug the thing for the night as I do not trust it. If you wire via a switch, as mentioned, turn it off when not needed to protect from fire etc.

Thank you, will do. I don’t fully trust them either so like the idea of having it switched to the AUX switches which I do trust.

 

[sawman]

Or use the Aux switch to control a relay which then feeds the socket bank, which could be connected directly to the battery. Several relays out there that could handle 20 amps plus.

 

[Cattywumpuss]

The socket bank I’m looking at using has a 15 Amp inline fuse although the AUX switches are also fused, with 15 or 40 Amp fuses depending on what I connect to.

Any issues with connecting multiple fused wires together?

 

[sawman]

Keep them separated. The fuses are rated for the equipment they are protecting. If you draw more than 15 amps with your socket bank, the magic smoke might escape. Not saying it will, but I would err on the side of caution, especially if it's an inexpensive Chinese product.
If you need more juice, put another bank on a separate fused circuit.

ETA: I personally wouldn't draw more than 15 thru any of those style sockets. If that much is needed, I would switch to a totally different connection. Something rated for the current draw expected, plus 10% for cushion.

ETA #2: After re-reading your post, you may have been asking about connecting them in series, ie. the aux wire (fused at whatever) feeding the bank wire(fused at 15A)? If so, that's OK as the limit for the entire run will be 15A (the lowest rated fuse in the chain).
Connecting them in parallel is NOT OK. (Multiple runs with separate fuses feeding one common load)

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