cigarette lighter install question.
10-15-2014, 08:15 PM
#1
cigarette lighter install question.
So I just installed a cigarette lighter in the back of my center console for my back seat passengers and it has a positive and ground wire I know to ground the black wire to metal but the red wire I know goes to 12 volt positive but should I run it to the battery with a fuse or to the fuse box with 12v ignition so it only works with the key on and if I do run it to the fuse box which fuse should I tap into and finally what size fuse should I use ? Any info would greatly be appreciated !! Thanks
10-16-2014, 12:16 AM
#2
No instructions ??
It does not tell you ??
How ever you want to do it..
Might be easier to run off the battery just depends on what you like.
If you tap into a existing circuit it needs to have a high enough capacity to handle your new lighter.
Is this going to be used as a lighter(heating element) or as a low output power port??
Big difference in current needs.
It does not tell you ??
How ever you want to do it..
Might be easier to run off the battery just depends on what you like.
If you tap into a existing circuit it needs to have a high enough capacity to handle your new lighter.
Is this going to be used as a lighter(heating element) or as a low output power port??
Big difference in current needs.
10-16-2014, 02:46 AM
#3
No instructions ??
It does not tell you ??
How ever you want to do it..
Might be easier to run off the battery just depends on what you like.
If you tap into a existing circuit it needs to have a high enough capacity to handle your new lighter.
Is this going to be used as a lighter(heating element) or as a low output power port??
Big difference in current needs.
It does not tell you ??
How ever you want to do it..
Might be easier to run off the battery just depends on what you like.
If you tap into a existing circuit it needs to have a high enough capacity to handle your new lighter.
Is this going to be used as a lighter(heating element) or as a low output power port??
Big difference in current needs.
10-16-2014, 03:52 AM
#4
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: San Francisco East Bay
Posts: 8,250
Likes: 0
Received 820 Likes
on
648 Posts
The stock "cig" fuse is 15a. http://personal.utulsa.edu/~nathan-b.../2powersou.pdf For a fuse that large, I would recommend no less than 14ga wire. It is on the "accessory" side of the ignition switch; you have to turn the key for the lighter to work.
But as Wyoming9 says, it all depends on whether you are going to run a real "cigarette lighter" back there, or just a video player. The video player will be happy with 2a, and a 15a fuse won't provide much protection to the player. You might want to be able to run the player with the key off, but you don't want a "real" cigarette lighter powered all the time.
(I know someone who had a flashing-yellow magnetic-mount light plugged into an always-on power port. It was sitting on the floor, and ended up covered with shirts headed to the cleaners. Somehow the switch got "bumped" to "on." While he was sitting in his office, the now-on light ignited the shirts, and destroyed the Tahoe. )
But as Wyoming9 says, it all depends on whether you are going to run a real "cigarette lighter" back there, or just a video player. The video player will be happy with 2a, and a 15a fuse won't provide much protection to the player. You might want to be able to run the player with the key off, but you don't want a "real" cigarette lighter powered all the time.
(I know someone who had a flashing-yellow magnetic-mount light plugged into an always-on power port. It was sitting on the floor, and ended up covered with shirts headed to the cleaners. Somehow the switch got "bumped" to "on." While he was sitting in his office, the now-on light ignited the shirts, and destroyed the Tahoe. )
10-16-2014, 09:20 AM
#5
The stock "cig" fuse is 15a. http://personal.utulsa.edu/~nathan-b.../2powersou.pdf For a fuse that large, I would recommend no less than 14ga wire. It is on the "accessory" side of the ignition switch; you have to turn the key for the lighter to work.
But as Wyoming9 says, it all depends on whether you are going to run a real "cigarette lighter" back there, or just a video player. The video player will be happy with 2a, and a 15a fuse won't provide much protection to the player. You might want to be able to run the player with the key off, but you don't want a "real" cigarette lighter powered all the time.
(I know someone who had a flashing-yellow magnetic-mount light plugged into an always-on power port. It was sitting on the floor, and ended up covered with shirts headed to the cleaners. Somehow the switch got "bumped" to "on." While he was sitting in his office, the now-on light ignited the shirts, and destroyed the Tahoe. )
But as Wyoming9 says, it all depends on whether you are going to run a real "cigarette lighter" back there, or just a video player. The video player will be happy with 2a, and a 15a fuse won't provide much protection to the player. You might want to be able to run the player with the key off, but you don't want a "real" cigarette lighter powered all the time.
(I know someone who had a flashing-yellow magnetic-mount light plugged into an always-on power port. It was sitting on the floor, and ended up covered with shirts headed to the cleaners. Somehow the switch got "bumped" to "on." While he was sitting in his office, the now-on light ignited the shirts, and destroyed the Tahoe. )
10-16-2014, 04:37 PM
#6
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: San Francisco East Bay
Posts: 8,250
Likes: 0
Received 820 Likes
on
648 Posts
fuses protect things from drawing TOO MUCH current. If your video player got wet (for instance) and started pulling 14a, your cig fuse would not blow but the player would catch on fire. So, many items like that have their own fuse (built into the plug often.) Often a 3AG glass fuse, which is available down to less than 1/4 amp.
A plain ole' automotive ATO regular fuse IS available down to 1/2 amp, but they're not common.
For you, you just have to think about what you want to use that new power outlet for. If you want people smoking in your back seat, you probably need a 15a and wiring big enough. If not, just look at the ratings of your biggest items (you'll need a fuse at least 25% larger -- if you want to deliver 6a continuously, you need a 7.5a fuse).
A plain ole' automotive ATO regular fuse IS available down to 1/2 amp, but they're not common.
For you, you just have to think about what you want to use that new power outlet for. If you want people smoking in your back seat, you probably need a 15a and wiring big enough. If not, just look at the ratings of your biggest items (you'll need a fuse at least 25% larger -- if you want to deliver 6a continuously, you need a 7.5a fuse).
10-16-2014, 04:53 PM
#7
fuses protect things from drawing TOO MUCH current. If your video player got wet (for instance) and started pulling 14a, your cig fuse would not blow but the player would catch on fire. So, many items like that have their own fuse (built into the plug often.) Often a 3AG glass fuse, which is available down to less than 1/4 amp.
A plain ole' automotive ATO regular fuse IS available down to 1/2 amp, but they're not common.
For you, you just have to think about what you want to use that new power outlet for. If you want people smoking in your back seat, you probably need a 15a and wiring big enough. If not, just look at the ratings of your biggest items (you'll need a fuse at least 25% larger -- if you want to deliver 6a continuously, you need a 7.5a fuse).
A plain ole' automotive ATO regular fuse IS available down to 1/2 amp, but they're not common.
For you, you just have to think about what you want to use that new power outlet for. If you want people smoking in your back seat, you probably need a 15a and wiring big enough. If not, just look at the ratings of your biggest items (you'll need a fuse at least 25% larger -- if you want to deliver 6a continuously, you need a 7.5a fuse).
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
rushw
General Electrical & Lighting Related Topics
4
07-18-2015 01:46 PM
