Where to pull electrical for bluetooth roll bar speakers

[BigYella]

I've looked all over and I see a lot of guides for how to install a new head unit etc when there is ALREADY WIRING FOR AN EXISTING. What I can't find is how to do it without it.

I've got the manual, the repair book, wiring diagrams, etc

I'm just trying to find where to pull power from. I might give up on the head unit / amp / speakers combo and just do a simple roll bar mounted all in one speaker / bluetooth receiver unit (play from my phone). But I want it to be able to charge when I'm driving.

In modern cars to add an accessory I would find an empty fuse slot, but I don't think I have any on the bronco?

Idea One
Run new wire from the battery to a toggle switch on the dash (there is one not hooked up to anything, doesn't match spot on the dash diagram - it is where an optional cigar lighter should be, and it isn't hooked up to anything), so I could run the power wire from the battery to that, then turn it off when I want to so it doesn't drain the battery. Then I just run that wire straight to the speaker.

Idea Two
Have it run only off the alternator / when ignition is on. For this, can I split a wire that goes to something else with a low draw? Or do I need to find an 'empty' / unused supply / fuse?
Should I use the fuse box in the glove compt? I have a couple wires there that don't run to anything currently (cut and zip tied by previous owner I guess)...

If anyone has a thread link or youtube or anything to how someone else has done it happy to look at that, just can't find one without existing wiring!

Thanks y'all.

 

[Gsxr7000]

Use an Bluetooth speaker run it from your phone and there will be no need to run wires. Lot of choices of size.

 

[Johnnyb]

I agree about the idea of ditching the head unit and all the required speaker wires in favor of bluetooth speakers on the roll bar. I can then use my phone as the primary audio source just like I do everywhere else.

I think I'll try to mount my two-way radio where the head unit would normally go.

I would also like to create a permanent charge to the Bluetooth speaker which should just involve running 1 12 volt wire, and maybe placing a USB charge receptacle in the vicinity of the speaker. If the roll bar doesn't act as a ground, I haven't done something right!

I figure I'll use the radio wire off the fuse box (mine is a painless), and snake it up the cage, where I will hopefully be able to provide USB power and maybe LED dome lights.

JB

 

[Wild horse 75]

You can get small fuse panels that will have a relay to hook up to your ignition switch to give you power only when the key is on but give you a number of 15-20A fused circuits you can hook up anything aftermarket to.

 

[BigYella]

Use an Bluetooth speaker run it from your phone and there will be no need to run wires. Lot of choices of size.

Yeah I am planning to use a bluetooth speaker and play from my phone. Just need to power the bluetooth speaker.

 

[BigYella]

You can get small fuse panels that will have a relay to hook up to your ignition switch to give you power only when the key is on but give you a number of 15-20A fused circuits you can hook up anything aftermarket to.

Cool thanks for the tip. I've been looking into it and there's a lot to learn. I guess i'm concerned I won't get enough 'power' to it. Looks like part of this would be dependent on the size/gauge of the wire from the source. As far as source I'm wondering if it should be from alternator or battery. There is an ultima aftermarket alternator but it's pretty old (and label is mostly off so not sure output), I'm sure better than original though. I guess I also have to determine if I want it to come off the battery (and still only on when ingition siwtch is) or only straight off alternator.

 

[BigYella]

I agree about the idea of ditching the head unit and all the required speaker wires in favor of bluetooth speakers on the roll bar. I can then use my phone as the primary audio source just like I do everywhere else.

I think I'll try to mount my two-way radio where the head unit would normally go.

I would also like to create a permanent charge to the Bluetooth speaker which should just involve running 1 12 volt wire, and maybe placing a USB charge receptacle in the vicinity of the speaker. If the roll bar doesn't act as a ground, I haven't done something right!

I figure I'll use the radio wire off the fuse box (mine is a painless), and snake it up the cage, where I will hopefully be able to provide USB power and maybe LED dome lights.

JB

Yeah that sounds like a great idea. Unfortuantely I think mine was manufactured without radio originally. But I have been able to ID what I think is the dome light power off the glove box fuse. And there is no dome light, and that wire dome light out coming off the fuse box is just clipped, so I'm thinking I can use it. Gonna buy a voltmeter and test it. if it's live only with ignition then I'll use it to power a bluetooth roll bar speaker like this https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/ecoxgear-soundextreme-speaker-bar and some roll bar mounts. A little worried about it getting stolen but not much I can do about that i guess

 

[Wild horse 75]

Cool thanks for the tip. I've been looking into it and there's a lot to learn. I guess i'm concerned I won't get enough 'power' to it. Looks like part of this would be dependent on the size/gauge of the wire from the source. As far as source I'm wondering if it should be from alternator or battery. There is an ultima aftermarket alternator but it's pretty old (and label is mostly off so not sure output), I'm sure better than original though. I guess I also have to determine if I want it to come off the battery (and still only on when ingition siwtch is) or only straight off alternator.

I would just connect it to the battery side of the starter solenoid with a 10ga wire to the new fuse panel. That will supply you with more than enough power for a little radio. And you’ll still have more for a couple other circuits if need be. Painless wiring has a couple nice simple panels and American autowire just came out with some really sweet panels.