Always on switched 12v and USB power for my Fridge and other accessories

[travisN000]

I saw a YouTube video a while back describing the function of accessory battery under the passenger rear seat in our F150s, and it gave me the idea to use it for always-on power, as the factory outlets time out and turn off if my PowerBoost is not in generator mode. I wanted these to charge / power items while camping, including my fridge. My fridge has a battery protection feature to prevent over draining the battery; of note, according to the video I watched, this accessory battery has a direct non-switched connection to the main starter battery, so using this could kill the starter battery if not careful.


The mod was pretty simple:

Ordered pre-wired automotive power strip from amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09YDQLZ7H

I chose this one as it had a switch, higher output 45w USB-C / PD and 18w USB-A, a voltmeter, and 12v outlets; there are many other configurations available, but this met my needs / goals.

The finished install:

..and a few pics showing the process:



Remove the cover.. I pried up at the big 'U' cutout seen at the left and right near the front of the cover as seen in the image above, but after removal, that was not the correct location; the notch near the 'L' on the cover itself is where the release is:

Mark the holes to be drilled:

I drilled the holes half way through from both sides with a 1-1/8in spade bit for a clean perfect fit; I had to remove the wiring from from the sockets to fit them, and then re-plug them:

Last step was to wire it to the battery; included ring terminals were a good fit:

..Then snap it back into place and test:

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