Expedition Essentials 3TPAM Wiring Questions

I am planning on installing an Expedition Essentials 3TPAM tomorrow and I have a couple questions about the wiring.

I've seen online that the preferred location is to splice the accessory port (cigarette lighter) under the right hand HVAC controls. Would splicing the wires there cause any problems for the accessory port?

Any problems installing the Expedition Essentials 3TPAM?

I have the Blue Sea rapid charger that was an option if that makes any difference.

Thanks all!

 

Splicing there won’t cause any problems! It’s very simple wiring and turns on and off with the truck.

Only thing is to remember that you are running everything on the mount AND whatever is plugged into that cig lighter. This typically won’t be an issue, but if you are trying to run a high-power device such as a power inverter at the same time as charging several USB devices, everything might slow its charging speed or the inverter night not come on. In that scenario, just move the high-power device to the cig lighter in the center console instead and you’re back up and running!

 

Got it. For me I would only ever use the accessory mount for 2 phones and a Garmin InReach. I never use the cigarette lighter. I may do 1 phone, 1 tablet, and the Garmin InReach.

I have no cigarette lighter accessories. If I do need to use a cigarette lighter accessory there is one in the center console and in the bed.

Would I run into problems running the 3 devices I mentioned?

 

Nope! All good there!

 

It can be a pain to install. Hope you have small hands. I personally just ran a dedicated lead to it.

Max amps on the mentioned line is 10amps

 

I was able to knock out the install pretty easily (at least the electrical was easy). Lining everything up for the two metal brackets was a chore. All in all, I am beyond pleased with the build quality.

If I used the included wiring and spliced to the cigarette lighter. My max amps is 10 amps?

How can I find out how many amps each of my devices uses?

 

12v 110w on the cig cover.

As far as the draw for devices goes they should be listed in their instruction booklets. You can also find them on the backside of the charger block normally

 

So in a 12v system, 10A would be 120W

Most charges are rated for wattage or amperage.
For example, the small little white brick charger that comes with iPhones is 5w.
I think the BlueSeas you got is rated at 24w, so you still have plenty of room to play with

 

I just installed mine and had issues getting the crumpets that came with the kit to work. Wasn’t a whole lot of real estate on the cigarette lighter wires. It didn’t work but it was getting dark out so I closed it all up and I’ll try again.

Any tips or tricks I should know when crimping/splicing?

 

Get something more like this

insco 120 Pcs/60 Pairs Quick Splice Wire Terminals T-Tap Self-Stripping with Nylon Fully Insulated Male Quick Disconnects Kit

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01CDWC60Y/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_i_789mEbR2GKGZ7

I don't know why they give those shitty taps you get at home depot. There's better ones than that to, but those are cheap.

That was the worst part of the install, and when I rate the purchase I can't decide if I'm giving 3 or 4 stars. Trying to decide if shitty taps, and the fact that there's no option to specify you want the flat USB port version, is worth taking away one or two stars.

 

Actually splice the wire (military splice) and don’t use those clamp-down t-taps. They damage the copper strands and aren’t reliable long-term

 

It'll be hard to get the tools down there to do it the righter way without taking apart the whole dash, but I agree with you. The kind I linked would probably be the easiest without taking the dash apart.

 

Thank you both of you. I’ll get some of those t-taps for now until I feel more confident in tearing apart the dash. Truck is brand new so I’m being kind of a baby

 

Installed the 3TPAM to the cigarette, now my battery has died. Trying figure out what I did wrong on the wiring install that has caused the drain when not in operation. Thanks in advance for any help.

 

Which cig lighter? They don’t have power unless the truck is in ACC so if they are draining your battery, something isn’t wired right

 

Here is my full install on the new flush mount version. Just in case you need anything, reach out. No issue at all with the install.

https://youtu.be/wE9NJ3jW4Vo

 

I installed mine about a month ago now. I’ve loved it so far and it’s all worked just fine, but I got in my truck today and my fuse for the cig charger blew. Every time I replace it (with everything unplugged from the cig lighter and the 3TPAM) the fuse blows the second I start the truck. Any suggestions?? Guess I’m ripping the dash apart again when I get home to disconnect the 3TPAM wiring and see if it still blows the fuse then.

Edit: Well, I took the top off to disconnect it and test and it worked when disconnected and didn’t blow the fuse. I then connected it again and it continued working. I noticed that last time I removed the 3TPAM to wire in my anytime camera I forgot to put tape over the connections when I put it back. So my guess is they were somehow touching and shorting out the system and my fuse was just doing it’s job. I’ll put tape over it and put it back and take the blame for this one lol

 

Is your dedicated lead Acc power or constant? I have a blue sea fuse block that has constant power and I was thinking of running it off of that for ease. Is this a bad idea?
Should I tap into the in-cab fuse box on a ACC power only?
Thanks

 

Jumped on the 2024 sale; I also thought the cigarette tap was questionable -- which dedicated circuit did you utilize (I have fuse taps, wiring, soldering capabilities, etc.)? Thanks!