Automotive blade fuse piggyback adapter

[Screwdriver]

So I was asked to install a dashcam into a brand new car (Skoda Fabia). Easy. Only difficult part would be running the wire from the rearview mirror position to the under-dash, "facia" fusebox. Tap into a handy ignition switched supply. Bobs yer uncle.

But no. Running the wire was easy. Pry open the plastic just enough, fish the cable to the fusebox.

Then all sorts of grief at the fuse box. Any spare fuse slots simply weren't populated with connectors. Some fuses appeared to do nothing (USB port, rear view cam etc. had fuses but went nowhere. Then pulling a fuse someohow destroyed the complex electronics so that it needs to be factory reset. I has some self steering stuff and roadsign recognition warnings now but chances are, neither option is actually present in this vehicle!

Then even tapping the "accessory" power has issues depending on whether or not the door is open (which it has to be to work on the thing) or when you swich off the ignition but DON'T open and shut the door, power stays on. Even when it does turn off, it has a 20 second delay. And the cheap/cheerful piggyback connectors are just HORRIBLE!

So, I need QUALITY piggyback connectors if anyone could recommend a brand please. Ideally ones with blade fuses that don't bend in half when you try and shove them into sharp, cheaply stamped tight sockets. Grr...

 

[mike 109444]

Cant help with the blade fuses but have you looked around the rear view mirror area as on my "73" plate Octavia (company car) there is a usb C socket. So you might be able to use that.

 

[Screwdriver]

Thanks for the reply, job is now done and I am turning down the opportunity to do that as a specialist job for a local garage.

As a potential business venture it did look interesting. Cash in hand for doing that all day? No thanks....

PS, find myself wondering if the USB sockets are switched or permanent live...

 

[hotponyshoes]

Thanks for the reply, job is now done and I am turning down the opportunity to do that as a specialist job for a local garage.

As a potential business venture it did look interesting. Cash in hand for doing that all day? No thanks....

PS, find myself wondering if the USB sockets are switched or permanent live...

I expect skoda use the generic vag wiring/controllers. On most vag cars you can change the power behaviour of auxiliary power outlets with a laptop and interface cable or swapping terminals around in the fuse box.

 

[Screwdriver]

I expect skoda use the generic vag wiring/controllers. On most vag cars you can change the power behaviour of auxiliary power outlets with a laptop and interface cable or swapping terminals around in the fuse box.

Thanks, that's good info. If nothing else, it reassures me I made the right decision at the rate offered!

 

[Turbo]

I did this job on my van and experienced some of the same problems as you.
Finding the correct circuit to tap into took a few goes but now I know how doing another similar van would be relatively easy.
Use a needle probe to peirce the insulation of wires coming from the fuse box to find the correct wire is safer than removing fuses.
Strip off a bit of insulation and solder a wire to it. Fit a fuse holder and use that to feed your new accessories.

 

[Screwdriver]

Blade fuse has two points on top you can probe (either side of the fusible link).

But yes, it would be super easy to do again.