Manual switch for manifold heater?

[xtriggerman]

Some 15 years ago, I had installed a push/pull switch on the dash of my old 01 for the manifold heater and loved it. Last year I sold it and bought this 06 and for the life of me can't remember how I did it. I think it may have run a relay on the battery feed but I dont remember what would be needed to rig this 06. Can any one chime in on what switching relay would handle the large amperage draw? And any other parts of choice?
Thanks

 

[AEdelheit]

There is allready a factory relay off the passenger side battery box you could tie into the control side of but curious why you would want to?

 

[xtriggerman]

I'm going to say 80 percent of the time, the heavy 125 amp drain and hit on the Alternator is entirely EPA black smoke related. It does nothing but ware your heater componants into repair. I used my 01 for alot of plowing in upstate NY and the switch was rarely needed to turn the nam heater on. Nice to have for those days when in teens or single diget temps. Now here in TN its an absolute ridiculous thing to have cycling away on a 50 degree day. I have the power feed off the battery but I like my dash switch controls for anything mechanical. This pollution control crap has gotten way, way out of control.

 

[BigPapa]

You could put a switch on the Brown/Yellow wire to keep the relay from activating. But, I'm not good with wiring on these "Smart Trucks". They don't react well to some modifications.

 

[xtriggerman]

Thanks Bigpapa. I'll give pulling that brown/yellow off and see if it would work without an engine check light. Thats what I'm afraid of is pulling a code for a non working manifold heater. Theres no standing code with the power lead off the battery.

 

[Ozymandias]

Doesn't work when you disconnect the relay or use it with a switch, that triggers a MIL and sets a code. But you can disconnect the load side of the relay and that doesn't trigger a fault.
That's what I do during summer time, just disconnect the feed wire from the battery's terminal. All good.

 

[AH64ID]

If you get custom programming, such as a MM3, you can have the pre-heat tables modified. I did that on my 05. No heat until below freezing.