Ford E450 12v

[tuscancouple]

Hello from England,

We have a Ford E450 based RV in which I would like to fit a dash cam and ideally power it on when the RV engine is turned on/started up. Does anyone know how to pick up a switched 12v supply in the cab? That is reasonably easy to get to!

Many thanks

Mick

[DrewE]

tatest wrote:
Even if you do not have the upfitter switches installed, one of the electrical boxes (under bonnet) has sockets for the relays that would be controlled by those switches, which would let you install a relatively high current circuit that could be switched by one of the "hot when ignition is on" circuits.

I don't know the needs of your camera, whether the current demands are low enough to share a circuit with the switched line to the radio.

A dashcam is not a high power device by any stretch. It likely uses less power than a cell phone charger (while charging the phone) or an automotive GPS.

[Harvey51]

Our E350 has a 12 V power jack that goes on with engine start. I would just plug it in.

[tuscancouple]

Thanks for all of the suggestions. Radio seems a good place to start.

Some interesting points in the dash cam article, however they are becoming common over here and can be used in a court of law to support your case if needed. We have them fitted to our Harley's for the same reason.

Mick

[tatest]

Even if you do not have the upfitter switches installed, one of the electrical boxes (under bonnet) has sockets for the relays that would be controlled by those switches, which would let you install a relatively high current circuit that could be switched by one of the "hot when ignition is on" circuits.

I don't know the needs of your camera, whether the current demands are low enough to share a circuit with the switched line to the radio.

[Golden_HVAC]

Hi,

On my motorhome, the dash opens up easy, and I can get to the radio controls very easy. I was able to find the switched 12 volt there. There is a not switched 12 volt as well, for the clock and radio memories.

I used the radio switched +12 to run a relay that connected my coach and engine battery together once the factory relay stopped working.

Good luck,

Fred.

[DrewE]

Vulcan Rider wrote:
I'm guessing that NOTHING is going to be really easy to get to but the radio might be the easiest. Just be sure to get the power lead that is switched and not the one that's hot all the time for the clock and memory.

That is a good suggestion. Do be aware that sometimes the dash radios in RVs are wired to the house battery and not the chassis battery (and hence are not switched with the ignition), and sometimes even have a switch that allows for either setup. There should be the Ford factory wire for the radio power behind the dashboard somewhere regardless; that's the one you'd want to use.

[aeejbe]

Hello "From England"

Are the Rules of the Road different over there?

[Vulcan_Rider]

I'm guessing that NOTHING is going to be really easy to get to but the radio might be the easiest. Just be sure to get the power lead that is switched and not the one that's hot all the time for the clock and memory.

[tuscancouple]

ahh, I understand now. No there are none fitted in ours, it's a 2008 model. There is the fuse box on the drivers side and I was just trying to avoid going down there to find one! I'll see what turns up on the forum.

Thanks, Mick

[rjstractor]

Upfitter switches are extra switches and circuits in the cab for accessories, like extra lighting, etc. I don't think the E-series has them as an option like the F-series although I could be mistaken. My E450 was older, but there was a fuse block under the dash. I found a circuit that was hot only when the key was on and tapped into it for my backup camera transmitter.

[tuscancouple]

What's an "upfitter switch"? Don't know that term

Mick

[Farmerjon]

Do you have the upfitter switches?