2015 Hybrid Titanium - Emergency Vehicle Installation

[wdfd908]

Hey folks,

 

I just picked up a 2015 Fusion HyTi in Guard Metallic 2 weeks ago. I stepped down from a GMC Sierra Crew Cab so this is an adjustment.

 

I'm a volunteer firefghter in my town and am looking to install emergency lights, a siren, and a mobile VHF radio. I've picked up the wiring and equipment, but I'm struggling to find a suitable spot to put it all. So I have a couple questions for you all:

 

1) Any ideas where I could mount an amp/relay module that is 8"Wide x 7"long x 2.5"high?

2) How difficult is it to remove the back seat cushion so I can run wires under that?

3) Batteries. I see there are 2 12V batteries. Can I tap into the one in the trunk for power? I need to run 4 power wires, 2 fuse at 40A and 2 at 20A.

4) Ground. Other than the factory ground and the post by the battery under the hood, is there a good ground that can be used by the rear battery?

 

I'm going to run a master switch for the amp/relay so it is not always on. The VHF radio has an on/off switch.

 

Any help anyone can provide woul be great.

 

Thanks

Edited June 1, 2015 by wdfd908

[hybridbear]

1) Any ideas where I could mount an amp/relay module that is 8"Wide x 7"long x 2.5"high?

2) How difficult is it to remove the back seat cushion so I can run wires under that?

3) Batteries. I see there are 2 12V batteries. Can I tap into the one in the trunk for power? I need to run 4 power wires, 2 fuse at 40A and 2 at 20A.

4) Ground. Other than the factory ground and the post by the battery under the hood, is there a good ground that can be used by the rear battery?

Welcome!

1. Inside the glovebox? On top of the battery shelf in the trunk? Inside the space where the spare tire would be if the car had one?
2. Haven't removed it, don't know
3. What two 12V batteries? Did Ford change something? The 2013-2014 only has 1 12V battery
4. Isn't there something in the trunk to provide a ground right near the battery?

[wdfd908]

Welcome!

 

• Inside the glovebox? On top of the battery shelf in the trunk? Inside the space where the spare tire would be if the car had one?
• Haven't removed it, don't know
• What two 12V batteries? Did Ford change something? The 2013-2014 only has 1 12V battery
• Isn't there something in the trunk to provide a ground right near the battery?

Thanks for the reply. With regards to 3, there is a battery in the trunk. I looked briefly under the hood and noticed positive and negative terminals. Isn't that a battery too?

 

For question 1, I've thought about the glovebox, but I'm not certain that I could make that work with all the wires. I hadn't thought about the spare tire area. I'll check that out. Thanks

[hybridbear]

Thanks for the reply. With regards to 3, there is a battery in the trunk. I looked briefly under the hood and noticed positive and negative terminals. Isn't that a battery too?

Nope, those are the terminals to connect a 12V battery charger or for use when jump starting. Check out this post for more info.

[garymkrieg]

As far as #2 How difficult is it to remove the back seat cushion so I can run wires under that?", on mine there were two latches under the seat that allowed it to be raised up.

 

Gary

Edited July 11, 2015 by garymkrieg

[lolder]

Ford has sold these cars to police departments. I would query them about how to add these items. There may be a published description of the changes. I would make a great effort to do this before I went ahead just on intuition even if you have done it on other cars.

[wdfd908]

Hybridbear - Thanks for the clarification...can you tell I've owned it only two weeks? I did some "digging" and mounting where the spare tire would go is perfect, especially with the battery right there. Thank you!

 

Garymkrieg - I found the latches you mentioned. Thanks for the tip. Removing that should allow me to run the wiring harness to the center console.

 

Lolder - I know a few installers for my State Police so I might give them a quick buzz and see if they have any advice.

 

Thanks everyone. Once I get this done I'll be sure to post some pictures. I also need to get my windows tinted first.

[murphy]

Do not connect directly to the battery posts. There is a sensor in the negative battery lead that monitors the current into and out of the battery so the computer can estimate its charge level. When I had a two-way radio in my car I got the power from the wires feeding the 12 volt power outlet inside of the console. Pop the sides off of the console and the wire is easily accessable on the passenger side of the console. Stagger the connections so the + and - connections are not adjacent to each other. The fuse for that feed is 15 amps. The side are held on by spring clips. While you have the passenger side off locate the place where a screwdriver is inserted to get the shifter out of park with a dead 12 volt battery. It's covered in the Owner's Manual.

[Automate]

You might find some helpful info here http://www.fleet.ford.com/resources/ford/general/pdf/emergency-response-guides/2015%20Fusion_MKZ_Energi%20Modifier%20Guide_D2.pdf

[wdfd908]

Do not connect directly to the battery posts. There is a sensor in the negative battery lead that monitors the current into and out of the battery so the computer can estimate its charge level. When I had a two-way radio in my car I got the power from the wires feeding the 12 volt power outlet inside of the console. Pop the sides off of the console and the wire is easily accessable on the passenger side of the console. Stagger the connections so the + and - connections are not adjacent to each other. The fuse for that feed is 15 amps. The side are held on by spring clips. While you have the passenger side off locate the place where a screwdriver is inserted to get the shifter out of park with a dead 12 volt battery. It's covered in the Owner's Manual.

So does that mean I cannot use the battery for power only? I typically ground to the factory ground and not the negative post. Would that still affect the sensor and battery charging? My other thought for a power location is the powered post in the fuse block. I've typically got power from there in other installs I've done.

[TonyHzNV]

You should talk to Darkside. See what he did in this thread:http://fordfusionhybridforum.com/topic/9826-sony-amp-wiring-diagram/

 

I'm sure he could give you some ideas.

[murphy]

So does that mean I cannot use the battery for power only? I typically ground to the factory ground and not the negative post. Would that still affect the sensor and battery charging? My other thought for a power location is the powered post in the fuse block. I've typically got power from there in other installs I've done.

Connecting to the factory ground is fine, just not directly to the negative battery post.

[PennStateMtnMan]

I don't run with sirens, but I do have Viper S2 lights for my back window and my dash. I don't like suction cups stuck to my windshield, so I purchased three friction mounts from garmin. I turned the bracket upside down and suction cupped the front to two of them and the back lights didn't need a friction mount since it isn't moving at all. Sure, it is bulky for the front window, but I take it down and put in the back floor board when I am not using it because it covers the sensor on the dash for the automatic headlights. One word of caution, the heat the lights generate causes the window to fog up quickly.