Wiring in a 12v cigarette lighter

[Chiz]

I'm planning on wiring in a 12v cigarette lighter as i don't have one at the mo (it's actually on a car but sshhh )

I wondered whether i had to wire it through a fuse or just straight onto the battery, i'm not too hot on electrics, please explain in stupid talk.

Thanks,

[Davo]

Fused most definately! Your risking a fire if not.

Easiest way to do it is run a wire straight from the battery to the back of the cigarette lighter socket, put a fuse as close as possible to the battery. That'll sort the positve power lead.

The ground lead just needs a lead taken from cigarette lighter socket to a piece of bare metal on the car.

[stinkwheel]

Definately fused. Run a wire with an inline fuse direct from the battery.

On a c*r, you might even find that there is a spare fuse in the fusebox already that you can use.

[Chiz]

Thanks guys,
How do i know what amp etc fuse to use?

[Davo]

[Chiz]

Right, thanks.
How do i know what the wire will take?
i was planning on using it for my ipod, but maybe whacking in a 1 - 3 adaptor so i can use it for my phone etc as well. Will i need a stronger wire than a standard one?

[Davo]

[stinkwheel]

Yeah, for example, if you want to actually use it as a cigarette lighter (essentially a lump of metal with a built-in short circuit) you'll need some pretty hefty wire. Some goes for using stuff like inverters and such.

If you're just running an ipod, you'll get away with thinner stuff.

[Chiz]

Thanks, i'll get a 12v socket and report back with pictures etc if that's ok.

[finpos]

You can use science - look on the adaptors you plan to plug in, they will have a rating in amps written on them. Add together all the values. Choose a fuse rated at approx (bang goes the science) 2 times this figure, and the next grade up of wire.

e.g. total of all adaptors = 2.5A, fuse = 5A, wire = 10A.

finpos.

[syl]

[BFG]

[Phil_G]

is there a specific problem that can be encountered by just using a heavier gauge of cable than is strictly needed?
____________________
1997 Kawasaki ER 500 A1:- Once again, Its merely crap

[Davo]

[Phil_G]

[stinkwheel]

[krebsy]

When the wiring went on the Divvy due to water damage I just used a a spool of heavy ignition wire to re-connect everything up again. Let's see the water corrode that.. .

K.
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What's my New Year's resolution?

1280 x 1024.

[stinkwheel]

[krebsy]

Oh it was all well crimped, tightened, inserted, sealed in watertight casing with Sillicone and Duct Taped..., all with a dash of WD40 beforehande to keep the moisture out... ..

K.
____________________
What's my New Year's resolution?

1280 x 1024.

[R1stu]

Ive just fitted one to the R1

Got an extension from Halfords, remove from the connector and soldierd on an inline fuse from a car stereo system. at the end of this I soliderd on some 8mm ring connections from halfords/motorworld to connect to the battery.

Its a coil wire i threaded it under the subframe out through the gear selector shaft and behind the fairing.

Ran it though the stay and behind the clocks, then used some velcro to stick it to the dash.

This way I can move it and cover it easy when washing the bike.

The only thing im thinking of now is a switch along it, as it seems to drain the batt some. (maybe damp causing it to short?)

its the same for a car, just use 10mm ringconnectors if your going to the batt.
____________________
Carbon closet tart! https://www.bikepics.com/members/r6stuk/02r6/
Stolen bike. 2000 R1: https://www.bikepics.com/members/r6stuk/00r1/
Current bike 1991 Honda ST1100 Pan European, 1986 Honda cb350sg (Finished)

[stinkwheel]