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Radio Power question

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Res21cue

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Hi all

Looking to power a Kenwood VHF mobile and a Uniden 996T scanner in a 2016 GMC Sierra. Normally I would just use fuse taps and be away but much to my surprise; the truck has 3 blade fuses which is new to me. Micro3 fuses. I can’t find taps anywhere other than amazon with 3 blades.

There is an accessory blade on the drivers side fuse panel but only 1 but it is beside a 50 relay

My question is....

Can I crimp both positive wires together into 1 female spade connectors and have both units powered from that 1 blade beside a 50 amp relay? See attached pic. Not my pic but same set up except I don’t currently have anything on my blade.

Confirmed this blade is RAP power aswell so it would be perfect if I can run both positives from it.
 

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jackj

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Short answer is Yes. Also a lot of older vehicles have unused fuse slots that have one side populated with a female connection that is connected to either the ignition switch or direct to the battery. You could use a blade type crimp-on to tap un-fused power. Tie-wrap the wire(s) to something to stabilize them.
 

crazyboy

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You’re planning on powering the two way radio from the fuse panel not the battery?
 

mmckenna

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I'd avoid using fuse taps if you can.
And, as others have said, you don't want to run your Kenwood off a fuse tap for sure.

Ideally you really want the Kenwood connected to the battery. Taping into existing circuits is a common way to get noise into your radio.

As for pulling RAP power to control ignition sense circuits, there's a couple of easy ways to do it…
Check with the GM upfitter guides to see if there is a ignition switched power feed available under the dash. I did an install a while back in a 2017 F350 and Ford installed a connector under the passenger side dash that had a bunch of circuits for various upfitter usage, including a separately fused ignition sense lead. I connected to that and didn't have to tap into existing fuses.
Other option, and I've done this on a few GM's, is to find an unused circuit. The trucks I was installing in didn't have sun roofs, so I was able to find the taped off lead in the A pillar that would have fed the sun roof. I installed a 3 amp fuse in the sun roof slot (rated for 20 amps) and used that.

I'm always a bit leery when I see an install done using fuse taps. While they do work, it only takes a bit of extra work to do a better looking install. Especially if you are going to be doing anything that requires more than a few amps.
 

sfd119

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I'm pretty sure the GMC is similar to the GM Trucks. There's a spot to route a main power wire into the truck without cutting through the firewall or anything.

Power wire: Easy wires through firewall, thought I'd share - 2014 / 2015 / 2016 / 2017 / 2018 Silverado & Sierra Accessories & Modifications - GM-Trucks.com

RAP Power for Ignition Sense: 2014+ R.A.P (Retained Accessory Power) - 2014 / 2015 / 2016 / 2017 / 2018 Silverado & Sierra Accessories & Modifications - GM-Trucks.com

Might be of some use to you.
 

KK4JUG

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MMckenna's right. No fuse tap. That might work for an extra cigarette lighter plug or some fancy inside lighting but the radio:? I wouldn't. The firewall on new vehicles is sometimes lacking for openings. If you're uncomfortable with trying to wire it, go to a professional radio shop and let them do it, including a ground to the frame or something substantial. Just the wiring into the passenger compartment. You can do the rest of it.

And I always label the wire coming off the battery. Repair shops might need to know what that maverick wire is.
 

N4GIX

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I took my Toyota Camry to an audio installer. I told them to run the wiring from the battery + and frame - that would power a 2,000 watt audio amp. They charged $85 for the job and had it done in less than 20 minutes. :D
 

N9JIG

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I brought my truck to an upfitter for the antenna and power installation. He installed a relay and high-power line to the rear so I could power my radios with the ignition directly off the battery.

I have not had any vehicular noise issues.
 
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