batt power, dash assembly, where to get info

I recently bought a 2000 civic and have a number of questions. I'm
wondering if there's a good source of info other than just pestering
people here with them all. Such as:

I want some source of battery power that doesn't go off with the key.
Is there any under the dash? In the trunk? Or do I have to find a way
thru the firewall?

I want to take the radio out and the center console to cut in my own
power outlets and see if the stereo has any way to feed in an external
source (mp3 player). How does the radio come out? Can the front half
of the center console come out without taking the whole back half out.
In other words what's the disassembly sequence for this stuff?

Fasten to the roof of the trunk under the back dash is some
electronics box. What's that?

Any good sources of info to find this kind of info?

Thanks

Also posted to rec.autos.makers.honda

 

Look at the fuse diagram in the owner's manual. You will notice several
fuses that are always powered (that is, the functions they support are
always powered on) and they will be in a physical bunch - side by side, in a
rectangle, something like that. There may be an unused fuse position you can
steal for your own purpose. If not, you can get a piggy-back fuse adapter
like the "ATC-plug" and "ATM-plug" (ATC are the large "blade" fuses while
ATM are the mini form) shown near the bottom of this page
http://www.sherco-auto.com/electacc.htm and connect it to any of the "always
on" fuses. The adapters are often available at auto stores locally. Try to
avoid the most critical functions like ECU power and look for a function
that won't cause you a lot of grief if the adapter happens to pull out and
kill the original function. I recommend you stay away from the little brass
push-in devices shown near the top of the page. The piggyback adapters are a
much cleaner and more stable solution.

Mike

 

Look at the fuse diagram in the owner's manual. You will notice several

Good source link. Thanks.