I have a lowrance 500c iway gps system and it came with a generic wire for hardwiring it into my car. I want to install it into my 2005 ford explorer. I have figure out how to access the back of the head unit - and I think that I need to order an adapter to plug in my gps into the audio. my question is then how do i wire the power? the wire i have from the gps has a red and black set of wires for power - where do i wire these to? the manual also indicated that i should install a 3 amp fuse - which i have purchased (an inline fuse).
Help or advice would be greatly appreciated!
I have a 2002 ford explorer, the 2005 explorer should be the same. If you want a easy way to get power and ground, you can find it underneth the black rubber mat in front of the cup holders in the center console. Lift the rubber mat up and you should see a circle shaped panel that can be popped up. When you pop that panel, there will be a harness attached to it. Unplug it from the plastic circle, both power and ground are in that plug. be careful not to let it slip back in the hole before you attach your wires. Use a meter to test which wire is positive and which wire is negative. This harness is there so if you bought the smoker package(ashtray and cigerette lighter) the dealer would have power already run for the cigerette lighter. So, if you blow a fuse hooking up the wires you know what fuse to look for. Also, if you want to run the wires nicely from that point, stick a hanger down that hole towards the passangers sideof the center console. Then run the wires down the passangers side console towards where the passanger would put their left foot. The center console side panel down near the passangers foot(under the dash area) is just velcro on. you can pull on it to unsnap it if you have to.
Another note, that harness is for constant power so you will have to turn off the gps when you leave the car.
Good luck and happy wiring, Frank
thanks for the advice
i'll let you know how it works out.