Can Trailer Wiring Harness for 2017 Jeep Cherokee be Powered by a Rear Power Outlet

Question:

Hello. Ill be ordering your 118605 harness but have a couple of questions. I have a 12v power outlet in my rear cargo area I have it set to be 100 on even without the ignition key on. Can I run the power wire from the converter to the wires that power that outlet or do you still recommend wiring it to the battery? Also, I have a pair of rear LED tail lights that I also want to add. Can I splice them into the wiring harness without any issues? And if so where would you suggest I run the splice from on the harness? Thanks Ray

asked by: Ray G

Expert Reply:

Trailer wiring harnesses that require a battery connection to power the trailer lights, such as # 118605, should only get that power from the vehicle battery. Installing it in any other way will void the warranty. They are also not tested for any alternate installations and you will lose part of the circuit protection if you tied into a circuit rather than directly to the battery. The power draw of the lights may overdraw the power outlet circuit especially if that outlet is already fused with other components so that is another possible pitfall.

Your LED lights would have to splice into the input wires on the wiring harness. On the left side the yellow wire is for the left turn signal and brake light and the brown wire is for running lights. On the right side the green wire is for right turn signal and brake lights. So you would just have to match up the corresponding wires on the tail lights to the wires on the harness described above. Or, you could wire the new tail lights to the connectors on the original tail lights and still just plug everything up like normal.

expert reply by: Michael H