Safari 24v-12v DC/DC converter/reducer location help

[Ant]

Hey guys I have done some searching and cant find it.....
Im looking for the 24-12 volt reducer, the one that runs the stereo. I am wanting to replace it with a high power one so i can run a higher powered stereo, PRS radio, Cigarette lighter sockets, etc.

I have a wiring diagram but it doesnt show it. I have searched google and it tells me where it should be....

Is it a simple remove/replace job or is it going to get technical??

could someone maybe give me a photo or description of what it might look like?

Thanks.

[CLUMZ1]

Nothing behind or under your head unit? Usually has some heat fins on them and 3 wires coming out of it. I think you'd be hard pressed to find a Safari with a factory one so yours could look like anything.

[Weemsy]

mine is behind passenger kick panel (left side of footwell)

[Ant]

A few people have said that is where is should be but I cant see it in there!!
Can you tell me what yours looks like? Does yous only power the sterio or does it power up other things too. Cheers

[darinz]

If it's a manual then passenger side kick panel but if it's an auto then it is inside the rear panel. To get to it you take out the jack and the bracket that holds it in. (just by the left rear tail light) If you look forward inside the area between the left rear guard and the inner panel you'll then be able to see it. It isn't overly easy to get at! Stick you hand in and you'll be able to feel it as it is almost directly above the LH rear wheel arch.

It feeds power to the dash as half of the dash is actually 12v so you'll need to rewire that in as well.
I'd suggest if this sounds too hard then if it's working fine I'd just fit a new one to run the accessories and leave the factory one to do its job.

[3VILC]

As suggested unless its stuffed its easier to leave it as is before you overload it and just wire a larger one in to run extras. Is easiest to wire to battery, and use the factory 12V acc feed for a headunit, if you require a higher powered acc switch used a relay switched by the factory one to supply power from the new one. Confused much?
In my safari I had a 12amp reducer running headunit and CB, and a 40amp unit to run an amplifier.

[Ant]

Sweet....sounds to easy....
I just got a 20A reducer, this will run the MEM/BAT for the radio and ill hook it up to the lighter socket for GPS/Phones/DashCam etc.
I will still use the factory ACC to switch the sterio on and off an I'll connect the CB radio to this one too so it switches on and off with the car. I cant imagine the CB will draw to much current so should be fine with this set up.

Thanks for the help...again.....many more questions to come in the future

[3VILC]

Should be fine. I had mine setup like that. Factory ACC feeding CB, radar, and headunit, new reducer feeding headunit BATT.
The factory reducer is designed for the old headunits that only use the BATT line to keep the memory.. whereas new headunits draw almost everything except a 'switch on' signal from the BATT line.
For some reason the cheap 'stereo reducers' you can buy online are also set up the old way, but can still work. I discovered one when trying to upgrade the headunit in a jap truck, got it to work by using it inputs around the opposite way (not enough current thru the BATT side of it)

[Waddles]

i have a 20amp powertec converter from jay car. it sits nicely behind the head unit center console thing. I spiced a constant 24v wire off the hazard light switch. works a treat im running a constant feed to my head unit and a twin ciggy socket though a switch. Be running other things off it in the future.

[darinz]

Make sure it isn't to close to the headunit as they will both produce alot of heat. I'd make sure the reducer has plenty of space around it as they can get too hot to touch.

[Ant]

All wired up now. went quite well.....lots of head scratching tho. Has plenty of air space so should stay nice and cool thanks.
Just a bit worried that it will drain my batteries if the truck is left standing for a few days as the converter is always on (to provide memory for the sterio) and has a little "power on" LED glowing......anyway time will tell.

I put in 2 interior LED lamps (about 20 mini LEDs per lamp) and the LED work light on the back and soon a bar light on the front. I think you would be able to see this thing glowing from space.