Need some help with wiring dual dvd headrests...

dvdman

Original poster
Member
Oct 28, 2012
60
I tried searching the forum and youtube but cant find exactly what im looking for. I have a set of wires running between the dual headrest dvd players. On each one is a black wire and a red wire. My instructions say to run a wire to a fuse. I have a cigarette outlet right in the middle of the seats in the back. Can I buy an adapter to connect the wires? Can I take apart the cigarette outlet and connect it there? I am trying to look for a walk through or diagram but nothing on google.
 

tb boy 05

Member
Mar 22, 2012
19
do you have an aftyer market radio? If so you can run those wires bac to the hot(red) and ground wire(black) in the back of the radio. This will give you power to them. That's how I have mine run in my tb.
 

dvdman

Original poster
Member
Oct 28, 2012
60
Its The stock radio. There has to be a way to connect it to the cigarette lighter in the back.
 
Dec 4, 2011
520
dvdman said:
Its The stock radio. There has to be a way to connect it to the cigarette lighter in the back.
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If you only have the 2 wires you can wire it directly to the cigarette lighter by taking it apart. The wires should be labeled + and ground. The lighter will have two wires as well. I you have a meter you can test for ground and 12V. Usually the center is 12v and the side is ground.

You could also buy a cigarette lighter adapter, take it apart and wire these wires into it. This will leave the wires exposed and subject to getting in the way. Your choice.

If you hook it up either way it will have constant power and you will have to turn the DVD's off manually. Another problem is that if you leave them on they may drain your battery if enough time passes.

There are several way to splice into existing wires please use the one you are most confident in. I prefer the solder and heat shrink because of the vibration, but the piggyback connector may also work( just remember you used them and if the DVD's won't turn on check these connectors for continuity. good luck :thumbsup:
 

Jeenyus

Member
Jan 7, 2012
12
not sure if youve done anything with this already but...

dont wire to cigarette plug, it is constant 12 v and will eventually drain your battery, however you can buy a cigarette adapter that has the pre-cut black and red you can wire into; which will give you the ability to unplug when not in use, or you can wire them to a switched power supply so they will be powered with the ignition, if you have an aftermarket stereo this will be easy to take the dash off and trace back to factory wire or even to splice into. usually constant is the thicker yellow wire. and switched is the regular sized red.

hope this helps!
 

Duffntx68

Member
Jan 8, 2012
7
That was a good idea, I ran mine straight to the cigarette lighter as you are talking about and my kids leave them on alot causing the battery to run down a couple times. I ended up running a hot wire off the fuse block to a switch that I installed on the dash, then ran back to the headrests so now I just switch them off before I get out of the truck!!
 

blazinlow89

Member
Jan 25, 2012
2,088
If you would rather go for a more permanent installation and not have to worry about forgetting to unplug the 12v adapter, you can wire in something like this.

http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_x_5080114-P_x_x?cm_mmc=ACQ-_-Google-_-enhancedRM-_-5080114&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=5080114&ci_gpa=pla&ci_kw={keyword}&gclid=CMW91o--zLQCFdHLzAodn3oAhg

You should be able to determine what fuse you can use at the panel under the rear seat, if you have a DMM find a good place to hold ground and check fuses that you may not use like Rain, Sunroof, etc. Check each side to see if you have 12v, or 0v. Then after selecting a fuse make sure it gets 12v with the ignition on. If you do not have a DMM go buy one they are about $15-$20 at Walmart, they will save you alot of headaches in the long run and are a good solid investment.

Now that you have selected your fuse, run the black wires to a similar location, I used a ground I found in the panel on the B-pillar (overhead monitors). You should be able to use the seat bolts, or something similar I would recommend against using the 12v sockets ground as it can cause interference. Now under the seats you may notice that you have flaps in different areas of carpet, you should be able to find one under each seat, and under the rear near the fuse panel. Use either a wire coat hangar (be gentle), or you can get the proper tool at most auto stores which is a rubber coated wire to help prevent snags and damage to wiring. Hook up to the fuse and it should come on everytime you start the truck.

Take the time to it right and you will be much happier in the long run.
 

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