Are there step-by-step instructions anywhere for hard wiring the power to a sirius receiver? I have never done anything like this before, and am completely new to it.

I was able to plug the receiver into the factory antenna, but cannot find clear instructions on how to hard wire the power.

Also, What is the best way to mount the receiver in the little cubby underneath the radio/AC console? This is for the 2009 model, FYI.

Any help is appreciated.



Andrew

 

I don't think there is a step-by-step. However, what I did to power my Sirius tuner(s) is to use a add-a-fuse circuit to the fuse box in the passenger footwell to one of the delayed-off cicuits so I could listen to the radio after I turned the engine off and now that I put my Stiletto in it will keep recording for about 30 minutes after I shut the car off (so I can run into stores and not miss anything).

I had a xact visor model below the center console that fit perfect there. Just connect an audio cable, the antenna (that's the hard part, I fished mine under the carpet up to the center console), and the power (I ran that from the fuse box over to the center behind the glove box).

But I HIGHLY recommend the Buss add-a-circuit (or add-a-fuse). Now, I can't remember what fuse I tapped, but I know it was a low current feature. I think navigation since I don't have that. There is a fuse breakdown post as a sticky you can look at. For ground I used a dash bolt above the fuse box.

 

Where do I get the add-a-fuse? and how do I plug the radio receiver into the add-a-fuse?

 

You can get them at Auto Zone or Advance Auto or local auto part store for about 5 bucks.

 

Alright, thanks for the help so far guys.

I got the add a fuse from Autozone, now how do I power the receiver with it? do I cut the sirius lighter power cord and solder it into this blue thing on the add a fuse?

Sorry if I sound dumb, but like I said, I've never done anything like this before.


Thanks
Andrew

 

Before you cut the lighter plug make sure that your receiver is getting 12V not 5V from the lighter. My old xact Visor used 12V but my new stiletto requires 5V power (the transformer is in the lighter plug on the cable).

So what I did was wire in my own lighter socket that i picked up at walmart. It is behind the dash, behind the panel that gets exposed when the right door is open. If you pry that panel off there is room in there. I used the big bolt in that area for the ground (negative) as well. So you would connect the new lighter socket positive (red wire usually) to the new fuse cicuit, then connect the negative lead to the ground.

Did you get an additional fuse for your holder since that should have two fuse spots on it? A 5 amp should be plenty of power.

If your Sirius radio uses 12v power then I would cut the wires after you determine what the polarity is (the center of the lighter is positive) on the wires. Then solder the positive lead to the to the new circuit and the negative can be attached to many different spots that have a decent electrical ground. There is another post about wiring a radar detector which will give you some more ground options. Also you could pull up the center console and use the ground wire of the lighter socket.

Also not to bring this up after the fact, but why don't you use the lighter socket to power the radio? I did for a long time using a three way adapter I stuffed in that mesh pocket down on the passenger floor.

 

Well I cut the cable and tried it out and it wouldn't work. I put the white wire into the add a fuse, and held the black one up to a bolt for grounding and power didn't come on.

I looked at the box afterward and it says the receiver is 5.2 volts. Does this matter though? If it can support 12 volts, why would it not support 5.2 volts?

It also blew a fuse because I guess I put the grounding wire in the add a fuse instead of the power wire I am guessing. I have replaced the fuse since though, and the add a fuse has 2 red 10 fuses in it.

What am I doing wrong?

 

Alright buddy, I just figured it out and installed a new 12v power outlet like you recommended. im probably going to attach it underneath the dash in the passenger footwell, and just run the cord from the cubbyhole spot where the receiver is over to the outlet.

Thanks for all your help.


Andrew

 

As a warning to anyone else, if the receiver says 5V it is bad to give it 12V! It could fry the receiver. I am glad you got it figured out! It is so hard to describe these things because it is hard to judge the knowledge level! There are many things I take for granted as common knowledge and am not good at describing them. Sorry! I didn't look at my Cooper but I think I used fuse F21 to power the sat radio as seen in this posting.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...not-fuses.html