GUIDE: Amp Remote Turn-On + Relay 12v Outlets ⚡

[Intuit]

NUTSHELL: The USB Port Hub Module receives 12v power from the Sync Radio, whenever the radio turns on. This can be tapped and used as a remote turn-on for you amplifier. I am also taking the extra step, of having both 12v Outlets de/activate with the Amp. There will be a switch that reverts both outlets to default behavior.

My 2016 model has two 12v outlets and a Sync 3 radio. The front outlet (running a volt-meter) is hot at al times. The rear outlet (running my GPS) turns off with an approximate ten minute delay. Both normally remain on as I walk away from the car. This modification is intended to stop this behavior; with an option to revert to default behavior with the simple flick of a switch.

* In the passenger footwell, there is a side cover for the center console. Remove this side cover to expose the wire harness for the USB Port Hub Module. The Yellow/Blue wire is positive. The Pink/Blue (white/black) wire is ground. Tap both wires and run to your relay coil. Recommend that you tap the center console side of the harness and not the radio side of the harness. (Ground wire changes color through harness.)

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* In the driver footwell there is a side cover for the center console. Remove this side cover and expose the wire harness for the 12v Outlets. The Red wire is the front outlet. The Grey/Yellow wire is the rear outlet. Recommend you cut the center-console side of the harness and not the vehicle side of the harness.

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* There is no room behind the driver footwell center console side panel. Assemble everything outside the vehicle, then install into the passenger footwell side. Run your wires underneath the shifter frame. Make sure there is clearance behind switch(es) installed to the driver side panel. Make sure none of the wires interfere with shifter movement. Make sure the wires are secure, won't experience chaffing from the normal vibrations. Make sure connections won't corrode under high-humidity conditions. (dielectric grease helps)


There are four possible setups.

This is just a simple tap to positive wire for remote turn-on.
The amp only activates when the radio is active.
The radio needs a little head-start to load content, so may conditionally activate the USB ports when you open a door.
The switch (see "switches and relays" heading) is optional; allows you to turn off the amp with the radio still running.


This diagram setup, adds the front outlet; so it is switched on/off similar to the amp.
It uses a SPST-NO relay; available at any auto parts store.



This diagram uses a DPST-NO relay, with a second switch. The second switch allows you to revert the 12v Outlet to original behavior; and not activate the amp in the process.


This setup uses two relays and two switches. It switches both 12v Outlets on/off with the radio. One switch controls the amp, the other reverts both 12v outlets back to default behavior. One relay is SPST-NO and the other is DPST-NO.





Switches and Relays:
Some lighted switches require a third connection to ground. There's a convenient spot for ground in the driver footwell; a bolt behind that center console panel. Make sure your connections are clean.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00S8R2DC0/


I used a simple rocker switch for the 12v Outlet switch.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008UTX208/


SPST-NO relays are available at any auto parts store.
DPST-NO relays may be found online at https://www.digikey.com/
If you find a local spot for those relays, let us know.

 

[Intuit]

This thread has the diagrams...
https://www.fiestastforum.com/threads/manual-override-for-amp-turn-on.28038/post-462506

 

[LilPartyBox]

Sub'd. I'm gonna need to this at some point. After 6 years I think I've had enough of the clock radio they put in these cars

 

[Intuit]

Installation completed.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ITGKQCE

I used butt connectors for the 12v socket wires.
That way It literally takes a minute and no special tools to remove the relay system.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B096ZL7G9H





My first switch was installed years ago. So aside from that, everything was pre-assembled outside the vehicle. The two relays are taped together. The power and switch wires are (an excessive) 2ft length because they have to cross-over under the shifter's frame. Rest of the wires are 1ft length. Used automotive grade wire gauge 18 while OEM is 14. One of the two yellow wires has been striped with a permanent marker. Same for the red wires. The stripped wire represents the switched side of the circuit, while the solid color is the powered side.


Warning: The radio-side of the harness is *VERY* high guage (thin) wire. You will have extreme difficulty stripping without breaking wire strands. Because it is already high-gauge (thin), breaking even one strand is unacceptable. I had recommended doing the console-side but is harder to access. I ended up soldering equally high-gauge wire to the radio-side of the harness. Wasn't pretty.



Fed the wires underneath the shifter frame.


Grounded my switches so they'd light up.


Snipped the OEM wires, crimped the gold-plated butt connectors, tucked the wires away, connected my switches, tested and buttoned things up.

 

[Intuit]

I'm printing out a laminated copy of the circuit diagram and taping it to the inside of the panel. It'll serve as reference if that part of the vehicle is disassembled for maintenance, service or repair.

Automotive environment can get humid and these switches may not deal with that well. Get as much silicon spray inside the switches as you can prior to install.

.

 

[mindmaster]

Hey Buddy. If I Understand, I will connect the Yellow/Blue wire
into the +12V outlet of this LOC in order to on/off automatically and the remote out will be to the amplifier?

Am I correct? Could you help me?

 

[Intuit]

I believe that 12v on that device is intended as a power supply and not a remote turn-on signal. The only remote turn-on for it appears to be an output, rather than an input. Not an ideal design in my uninformed opinion. Would have to peruse the manual for it to get more detail otherwise I'm just speculating.
https://www.jlaudio.com/products/lo...by JL Audio Sr. Engineer Bruce Macmillan, the
<< The LoC-22 offers two automatic turn-on methods (DC-Offset Sensing or Signal Sensing) and provides a positive 12V turn-on output to activate aftermarket amplifiers or other downstream electronics. >>

.

 

[mindmaster]

I believe that 12v on that device is intended as a power supply and not a remote turn-on signal. The only remote turn-on for it appears to be an output, rather than an input. Not an ideal design in my uninformed opinion. Would have to peruse the manual for it to get more detail otherwise I'm just speculating.
https://www.jlaudio.com/products/loc-22-car-audio-oem-integration-processors-98413#:~:text=Designed by JL Audio Sr. Engineer Bruce Macmillan, the
<< The LoC-22 offers two automatic turn-on methods (DC-Offset Sensing or Signal Sensing) and provides a positive 12V turn-on output to activate aftermarket amplifiers or other downstream electronics. >>

.

this is the manual

https://www.sonicelectronix.com/landing/manuals/loc22.pdf

Could you help me to understand better? Thanks for your help

 

[mindmaster]

I believe that 12v on that device is intended as a power supply and not a remote turn-on signal. The only remote turn-on for it appears to be an output, rather than an input. Not an ideal design in my uninformed opinion. Would have to peruse the manual for it to get more detail otherwise I'm just speculating.
https://www.jlaudio.com/products/loc-22-car-audio-oem-integration-processors-98413#:~:text=Designed by JL Audio Sr. Engineer Bruce Macmillan, the
<< The LoC-22 offers two automatic turn-on methods (DC-Offset Sensing or Signal Sensing) and provides a positive 12V turn-on output to activate aftermarket amplifiers or other downstream electronics. >>

.

 

[mindmaster]

This is my subwoofer 😅

 

[Intuit]

Okay there's additional confirmation that the 12v is for power only.

The unit is supposed to automatically switch itself on/off based on the presence of audio input.

The risk of having such a device not run down the car battery is just unnecessary in my opinion.

What I'd do is have that Yellow/Blue wire you mentioned power the coil on a relay. The relay would in-turn switch the 12v supply to the LOC on/off. The LOC would in-turn and by design, switch the amplifier on/off.

What the manual doesn't say, is whether the unit requires hot-at-all-times in order to maintain any sort of functional memory/settings.

 

[mindmaster]

Okay there's additional confirmation that the 12v is for power only.

The unit is supposed to automatically switch itself on/off based on the presence of audio input.

The risk of having such a device not run down the car battery is just unnecessary in my opinion.

What I'd do is have that Yellow/Blue wire you mentioned power the coil on a relay. The relay would in-turn switch the 12v supply to the LOC on/off. The LOC would in-turn and by design, switch the amplifier on/off.

What the manual doesn't say, is whether the unit requires hot-at-all-times in order to maintain any sort of functional memory/settings.

Could I Contact you via PM? (I am not a native speaker so some terms might confuse even if I use regular translation tool)

 

[Dialcaliper]

Just to throw this in here, as an alternative to the method described here, it’s possible to run both “always hot” and “ignition switched” power from the main fuse box in the engine bay (aka battery junction box) and do a clean install without tapping any wires at all, instead adding completely new circuits. It’s accomplished by adding terminals and fuses directly to the fuse box that can be purchased from Mouser as described in the post linked below

https://www.fiestastforum.com/threa...erminal-part-numbers-no-more-fuse-taps.30228/

 

[Intuit]

That is good to know. There are definitely other applications for this knowledge. 👍
(like powering the DRL lamps on the Euro headlights - https://www.fiestastforum.com/threa...ll-the-basics-in-one-thread.20213/post-516005)

The advantage to the method described here is, the add-on equipment is switched on/off specifically with the radio.

There are disadvantages to switching these accessories on/off independent of the radio; with the ignition or via 15 minute "accessory delay" relay.

 

[Dialcaliper]

Y

That is good to know. There are definitely other applications for this knowledge. 👍
(like powering the DRL lamps on the Euro headlights - https://www.fiestastforum.com/threa...ll-the-basics-in-one-thread.20213/post-516005)

The advantage to the method described here is, the add-on equipment is switched on/off specifically with the radio.

There are disadvantages to switching these accessories on/off independent of the radio; with the ignition or via 15 minute "accessory delay" relay.

You have a very good point - I’ve had my little bitty powered sub wired up to the ignition switched circuit rather than the radio. I don’t really notice it quitting after turning the car off because the sub is mostly just adding some bass to compensate for the exhaust noise (unless it’s staying on as long as there’s music playing) 🤣