Why Won’t Added 12V Socket Power Up My WeBoost?

[SKLC]

I’m running into an issue with a 12V power socket installation and could use some advice. Here’s the setup:

I’m using a Garmin switch system (Ditch lights wired to the Garmin switch work fine) and have positive and negative wires run from Garmin in engine bay to the back of LC near the battery compartment, with 15Amp in line fuse, where I planned to install a 12V power socket. The goal was to use it to power my WeBoost under the seats.

Here’s what I’ve tested so far:

I hooked up the WeBoost 12V plug to the new 12V socket, but it doesn’t power on.

I confirmed the WeBoost plug works fine when plugged into the 12V receptacle on my Jackery.

To rule out issues with the wiring, I tested the same wire run with an extra fog lamp, and it powered on without a problem.

So, I know the wire run is providing power, and the WeBoost plug itself isn’t the problem.

Could this be an issue with:

Voltage drop or insufficient amperage to the socket? It’s a long wire run but the fog lamp works fine. I thinks it’s 16AWG.

A problem with the WeBoost plug, maybe in-line on/off switch doesn’t like Garmin?

Grounding or compatibility with the Garmin switch system?

What am I missing here? Any suggestions or troubleshooting steps would be greatly appreciated!

 

[ovʀʟxnᴅ]

What size wires did you run to the WeBoost socket?

 

[SKLC]

I believe it’s 16 AWG wire.

 

[Lonster]

Is the polarity correct on your 12V plug. Some things are polarity sensitive others aren’t.

 

[EOD Guy]

X2 on polarity.......

Typically the center of a standard 12v outlet (cigar lighter) is the POS terminal and the outer edge is the NEG terminal.

Typically on a standard power brick outlet probe, the center (hole) is the POS terminal and the shiny outer part is the NEG terminal

As far as the Garmin switch...... I assume it's switching a POS 12v source and is that output going to the correct terminal on the 12V outlet (center terminal).

I removed the guts from WeBoost 12v plug, removed the on/off switch, mounted the switch to the console and ran two extension wires to the center console cigar lighter. I ran the output from the plug's guts (now located behind the ctr console trim panel back to the area behind the Jack cradle (where I mounted the WeBoost). So it shouldn't be the long wire run.

 

[SKLC]

Thanks for the insights! So it’s the WeBoost plug and not the 12V socket. I don’t really have anything with a 12 volt plug like that anymore…had to find something but I plugged in my NOCO charger cord that has 12 volt plug adapter and it worked just fine. So circuit and wiring are all good. Something about the WeBoost plug with the on/off switch that is not working. Had it wired similarly in my sprinter van and no problem. But I guess something with the Garmin Switch and this particular plug is the issue.

@EODGuy you mentioned you took the plug apart to wire straight to a switch but left the circuit board? Do you think I could just cut out the switch and wire direct?

Thanks again for the help.

 

[EOD Guy]

Thanks for the insights! So it’s the WeBoost plug and not the 12V socket. I don’t really have anything with a 12 volt plug like that anymore…had to find something but I plugged in my NOCO charger cord that has 12 volt plug adapter and it worked just fine. So circuit and wiring are all good. Something about the WeBoost plug with the on/off switch that is not working. Had it wired similarly in my sprinter van and no problem. But I guess something with the Garmin Switch and this particular plug is the issue.

@EODGuy you mentioned you took the plug apart to wire straight to a switch but left the circuit board? Do you think I could just cut out the switch and wire direct?

Thanks again for the help.

If I understand your setup correctly............. you are using the WeBoost plug/switch and when plugged into a 12V outlet (on you NOCO) everything works as it should? And you want to use the Garmin to control the WeBoost.

If that's the case, you could take apart the WeBoost plug:
Hook a +12v wire to the center button (wire).
Hook a ground to the side contact (wire).
and the WeBoost switch should work normally.

Now You can just leave the switch in the "ON" position or if you remove the switch and solder the wires together. In either case

it would be "ON" anytime there is 12v on the wire that you hooked to the center button above. If the 12v is being controlled by the Garmin switch.

 

[SKLC]

If I understand your setup correctly............. you are using the WeBoost plug/switch and when plugged into a 12V outlet (on you NOCO) everything works as it should? And you want to use the Garmin to control the WeBoost.

If that's the case, you could take apart the WeBoost plug:
Hook a +12v wire to the center button (wire).
Hook a ground to the side contact (wire).
and the WeBoost switch should work normally.

Now You can just leave the switch in the "ON" position or if you remove the switch and solder the wires together. In either case View attachment 24314it would be "ON" anytime there is 12v on the wire that you hooked to the center button above. If the 12v is being controlled by the Garmin switch.

Makes sense, I think that is my best option. Thank you for detailing that out!