Thread: want to wire in a second cigeret lighter plug

I would wire it to a permanent power source, either straight to the battery or to a full time power source on the fuse box. That way you have one that is probably hooked in through the ignition ie won't work unless the key is on, and the new one is permanent in case you want to run things while camping. Just as long as you remember to unplug so you don't drain the battery. If you have dual batteries, hook it direct to the feed from the second battery.

Make sure you fuse it though, probably a 20 or 30 amp fuse somewhere accessible so you can get it if it blows, you could go smaller depending on what you plan to run but if it is just for an ipod, gps etc or a small inverter, 20 or 30 will be fine.

Hi there,

One of the things I am about to do on my disco is run a multi adaptor cigarette lighter to my 2nd battery (via a fuse box). I will hard wire the adaptor and mount it on the side of the transition tunnel near the transfer box. Then I'll have heaps of sockets for all those chargers and things!

If you can't be bothered wiring in a new socket, multi adaptors are pretty cheap from Kmart, eBay etc.

Cheers

I'm in the process of wiring a modded one of these:

Electus Distribution

into the cargo area of a RRC to run a fridge and all the rechargeable stuff I have like torches, lantern etc.

8G wire from a second battery with 50amp in line fuse, separate 10amp fuses at the rear for each outlet.

Comments welcome.

cheers, DL

The first time I need to do any electrical wiring on a vehicle I have just aquired, I run leads straight from the battery to a junction box under the dash somewhere out of sight. The junction box is fitted with a rail for earth and one for positive 12 volts, so in the future if I need to hook up a power socket, a radio, spotlights etc etc, there is a reliable source of power, I can then tap off from that, install a fuse as applicable and not need to worry about finding power wires. Costs next to nothing for a couple of metres of wire and some blocks but saves so much time if you like to fit your own stuff.

I'm slack I just popped out the clock which is a piece of ...... got a second lighter from a wreakers piggy backed the power to it from the original lighter and it clips straight in.

Ok the purists will be right in saying I should have run a dedicated power source to it but I dont use it for heavy current loads and a lighter draws a high current anyway so I'm very happy with it -it took about 1/2 an hour to fit.

Hi 350RRC, if I were you, while the 8G cable is fine but I’d replace the 50 amp fuse with a 30 amp auto resetting circuit breaker. This will give you both short circuit protection as well overload protection.

8G or 8B&S cable ( 7.9mm2 ) has a maximum continuos load rating of 65 amps and a 50 amp fuse is actually designed to carry 135% of its marked rating for around 30 minutes. Thats 67.5 amp, and high amps for shorter periods.

Those rates are just to much to be safe and even if you run a few things at the same time, it highly unlikely that you will continually pull 30 amps.

I would also fit at least 15 amp but 20 amp fuses would be the best protection for each power socket. 20 amp fuses will still blow if there is a short circuit and while 10 amp fuses will blow a split second quicker, they will run hot and could melt if you use any appliance that pulls 8 to 10 amps.

Originally Posted by matthewk

i got a D1 3.9L v8,
i want to wire in a second cigeret lighter plug to run some other things where is the best place to wire it into im going to put it next to/ close to the origonal lighter plug

cheers any help be good

matt

Hi Matt, try to make your connection at the battery, this will minimise your voltage drop, something that can be a problem with some brands of fridges.

if your cable run is to be long, 6mm twin Auto cable ( 4.5mm2 x 2 ) would be the minimum size, again to minimise voltage drop but anything over 2 to 3 metres and I’d recommend you run 6mm2 Twin.

Again, a 20 amp fuse, fitted close to the battery will give you short circuit protection.

I put a ciggy socket in the centre cubby box of my Disco1. That way I can charge my phone or ipod out of site and out of the way.
I have noticed since that Pajeros have one in there as standard.
Mine is connected to the 2nd battery..