Quick Summary

A fuse tap allows you to safely connect one of your RGB Halo Kits controller wires to your vehicle’s fuse box instead of using a T-tap or factory wire splice.

This is commonly used for the white DRL trigger wire, which needs power only when the vehicle is turned on.

For the white DRL wire, you want to find a fuse that:

Has 12V power when the vehicle is ON

Loses power when the vehicle is OFF

Is not tied to a critical safety system

How to Use a Fuse Tap

---

What Is a Fuse Tap?

A fuse tap is a small wiring adapter that plugs into your vehicle’s fuse box. It allows you to add a new accessory wire while still keeping the original fuse protected.

Instead of tapping directly into a vehicle wire, you can connect the RGB Halo Kits wire to a fuse tap and plug it into the correct fuse slot.

This is a cleaner and more removable wiring method when done correctly.

---

When Should You Use a Fuse Tap?

You may want to use a fuse tap if:

• You do not want to use the included T-tap connector
• You want to manually wire into the fuse box
• You need a clean DRL power source
• You need a switched 12V source for a trigger wire
• Your vehicle wiring is hard to access

For RGB Halo Kits products, fuse taps are most commonly used for the white DRL trigger wire on SmartSwitch-style controllers.

---

Step 1: Identify the Wire You Are Connecting

Before using a fuse tap, make sure you know which wire you are connecting.

For most RGB Halo Kits SmartSwitch controllers:

• Red wire = Main power
• Black wire = Ground
• White wire = DRL / switched power trigger

The white DRL trigger wire should connect to a fuse that only has power when the vehicle is on.

This allows the lights to automatically turn on with the vehicle and turn off when the vehicle is off.

---

Step 2: Test the Fuse Box First

Before installing a fuse tap, you need to test the vehicle’s fuse box.

Some fuses have power all the time. These are called constant power fuses.

Other fuses only have power when the vehicle is on. These are called switched power fuses.

For the white DRL trigger wire, you want a switched fuse.

How to Test

Use a power probe, test light, or multimeter to check the fuse.

Test the fuse with the vehicle:

1. Off
2. On / ignition on
3. Off again

The correct fuse should:

• Show no power when the vehicle is off
• Show power when the vehicle is on
• Lose power again when the vehicle is turned off

If the fuse has power even when the vehicle is off, do not use it for the DRL trigger wire.

---

Step 3: Choose a Safe Fuse Location

When selecting a fuse to tap into, avoid critical vehicle systems.

Do not tap into fuses for:

• Airbags
• ABS brakes
• ECU / PCM
• Fuel pump
• Transmission control
• Major safety systems

Better options are usually accessory-style fuses, such as:

• Ignition
• Accessory power
• Radio
• Wiper
• Power outlet
• Heated seats
• Other non-critical switched circuits

Fuse names vary by vehicle, so always test before connecting.

---

Step 4: Get the Correct Fuse Tap

We recommend purchasing a fuse tap from a local auto parts store.

There are several fuse sizes, so you need to match the fuse tap to your vehicle’s fuse type.

Common fuse tap styles include:

• Micro2
• Mini
• Low-profile mini
• Standard blade
• Micro3

Check your vehicle’s fuse box and match the fuse tap to the fuse size being used.

---

Step 5: Cut Off the Included Connector If Needed

If your RGB Halo Kits product came with a connector or T-tap already attached, you can cut that off if you are manually wiring into the fuse box.

After cutting off the connector, strip a small amount of insulation from the wire.

Then insert the wire into the fuse tap’s crimp connector.

Use a proper crimping tool to secure the connection.

The wire should be tight and should not pull out of the crimp.

---

Step 6: Install the Fuse Tap

Remove the original fuse from the fuse slot you tested.

Insert that original fuse into the fuse tap.

Then add the correct fuse for the new accessory circuit.

Once both fuses are installed in the fuse tap, plug the fuse tap back into the fuse slot.

Make sure the fuse tap is fully seated and secure.

---

Fuse Tap Orientation Matters

Fuse taps can usually be inserted in two directions, but only one direction is correct.

The power should flow through the fuse before going to the added accessory wire.

If the fuse tap is installed backward, the added wire may not be properly protected by the fuse.

To check orientation:

1. Remove the original fuse.
2. Use a test light or multimeter to identify which side of the fuse slot has power.
3. Install the fuse tap so power enters the fuse tap through the correct side.
4. Confirm the new accessory wire is protected by the added fuse.

If you are not sure, we recommend having the fuse tap installed by a professional.

---

Step 7: Test Before Final Assembly

Before putting everything back together, test the lights.

Turn the vehicle on.

The controller or lighting product should receive the DRL trigger signal.

Then turn the vehicle off.

The lights should turn off when the vehicle shuts off.

If the lights stay on after the vehicle is off, the fuse you selected likely has constant power. You will need to test and choose a different switched fuse.

---

Important Safety Notes

Always use the correct fuse size for the circuit.

Do not use oversized fuses.

Do not tap into critical safety systems.

Make sure all wiring is secure and protected from heat, sharp edges, and moving parts.

If wiring is routed outside the fuse box, make sure the fuse box cover can close properly or that the wiring is safely routed without being pinched.

If you are unsure which fuse to use, we recommend contacting a professional installer or automotive electrician.

---

Troubleshooting

The lights stay on when the vehicle is off

The fuse you tapped into likely has constant power.

You need to find a switched fuse that only has power when the vehicle is on.

The lights do not turn on

Check that:

• The fuse tap is fully seated
• The crimp connection is secure
• The correct fuse size is installed
• The fuse tap is facing the correct direction
• The vehicle is turned on during testing
• The controller has proper power and ground

The fuse keeps blowing

The fuse may be too small, the wire may be shorted, or the circuit may be overloaded.

Stop testing and inspect the wiring before replacing the fuse again.

The fuse box cover will not close

Some fuse taps may stick up higher than the original fuse.

You may need to safely route the wire differently or use a different fuse location.

Do not force the fuse box cover closed if it pinches the wire.

---

Final Recommendation

A fuse tap is one of the cleanest ways to connect a DRL trigger wire when you do not want to use a T-tap.

The most important step is testing first.

For the white DRL trigger wire, always use a fuse that gets power when the vehicle is on and loses power when the vehicle is off.