[Max_Burnside]

Anyone wire in a GPS locator in a hidden area using an always on hot wire? I was thinking of hooking to battery like instruction say but that'll be the first place they look. Wired GPS locator monthly service is $15 compared to battery you have to charge every 2-4 weeks is $25 a month so going with something I don't have to charge every 2 weeks and is not easily found.

If you have pictures that'd be great! Any ideas are welcome!

[ChibbMD]

I purchased an inexpensive GPS tracker off Amazon. It needed to be charged via a USB cable, so I bought a USB charging port like this (also off Amazon):

2PCS 12V/24V RV USB Outlet with Cap, PD3.0 18W Type-C & QC3.0 18W USB-A Port Panel Mount Surface Automotive Car USB Socket Quick Charger Power Adapter for RV Marine Boat Bus ATV Motorcycle Truck Golf

Wired it to a switched power circuit. Now it charges every time the car is on. Works like a charm and I've not had to remove it for manual charging.

[Max_Burnside]

Where/what location and what does wire look like (colors)? That would be another option.

[havelegs]

in for details

[ChibbMD]

It's been a minute since I did this little project, but I tapped into a switched power wire (I think it was the Accessory circuit) in the fuse box in the trunk. I'm happy to go snap a pic and confirm which wire it was if someone needs me to. From there, I ran a wire to my desired location for the charging port. I put it somewhere that it would not be easily viewable or found. I connected my tapped wire to the power wire of the charging port and simply used a screw into metal for the ground wire of the port. That got my charging port powered up anytime the car ACC circuit was on. Then I simply plugged in the USB charging cable to the port and the tracker.

You've got some options to consider - You can install the port close to the fuse box in the trunk and then run a long USB cable to wherever you put your tracker OR you can run a long wire from the fuse box to the port and use a shorter USB cable for the nearby tracker. I did the latter.

Let me know if you have any specific follow-up questions.

[havelegs]

Originally Posted by ChibbMD

It's been a minute since I did this little project, but I tapped into a switched power wire (I think it was the Accessory circuit) in the fuse box in the trunk. I'm happy to go snap a pic and confirm which wire it was if someone needs me to. From there, I ran a wire to my desired location for the charging port. I put it somewhere that it would not be easily viewable or found. I connected my tapped wire to the power wire of the charging port and simply used a screw into metal for the ground wire of the port. That got my charging port powered up anytime the car ACC circuit was on. Then I simply plugged in the USB charging cable to the port and the tracker.

You've got some options to consider - You can install the port close to the fuse box in the trunk and then run a long USB cable to wherever you put your tracker OR you can run a long wire from the fuse box to the port and use a shorter USB cable for the nearby tracker. I did the latter.

Let me know if you have any specific follow-up questions.

I'd love to do the same as my tracker is in the rear. Could you find what wire/fuse you tapped into and attach a pic?

[ChibbMD]

Here's a pic of the wires in the fuse box in the trunk. The wire you need is the ACCESSORY power which is a VIOLET wire. I put a red arrow pointing to that wire. You want to tap into this.

[snicko]

My car, bought used, came with a LoJak (long story - tl;dr - it was baked into the OTD price I negotiated and didn't realize it till I was signing papers). I pulled out the unit under the dash that tapped into the OBD Port and somewhere else for power.

When putting the rollbar and seat in I found another box under the carpet. I tore it down and it didn't have a GPS chip in it, it did have a cell radio and 4 foot long wire that looked like an antenna coming out of it. I suspect its the unit that broadcasts a signal that boxes in police cars pickup.

It was getting power through a vampire tap in the wiring bundle that runs up the driver's side door sill. There's no way I would have found it w/o pulling the driver's seat. If I were hiding something like a GPS receiver that feels like a goo dplace to put it -easy to get to - 2 bolts to lift the seat out of the way - but not easy to find.

[Plasar]

What about an Apple AirTag? $30 and replace the battery when it runs out.

https://www.apple.com/airtag/

[Max_Burnside]

Originally Posted by Plasar

What about an Apple AirTag? $30 and replace the battery when it runs out.

https://www.apple.com/airtag/

I'm not an Apple user.

[Max_Burnside]

Originally Posted by ChibbMD

Here's a pic of the wires in the fuse box in the trunk. The wire you need is the ACCESSORY power which is a VIOLET wire. I put a red arrow pointing to that wire. You want to tap into this.

Thank you!

[BundiMan]

Originally Posted by Max_Burnside

I'm not an Apple user.

You don't have to be an Apple user to use an Apple Tag.

You can log into the website and track your items

[havelegs]

Originally Posted by Plasar

What about an Apple AirTag? $30 and replace the battery when it runs out.

https://www.apple.com/airtag/

Those are not helpful, most phones will alert of unknown trackers traveling with you, and if the person/theif has an iphone the airtags can easily be found.

[Max_Burnside]

Originally Posted by ChibbMD

Here's a pic of the wires in the fuse box in the trunk. The wire you need is the ACCESSORY power which is a VIOLET wire. I put a red arrow pointing to that wire. You want to tap into this.

Thanks for that. Great info. But I need an always on power wire with ground wire since mine doesn't have a battery. I choose this one since its less than $13 a month half the price of others. Is there a wiring diagram for this fuse box handy?