Hi
I am currently trying to wire up a 6.5 LCD screen in my truck, and have hit a deliemma. I had just planned on splicing into the wires going to the stock cig lighter, and running it off that....however, my friend has just told me that this will not work, as it will draw too much power.

Is there any truth to his statment? am I completely wrong in thinking this will work?

The screen takes practically no power, less than half an amp I am told.

I have minimal experience with electrical things, and any help would be apprecaited.

Mark.

 

You'll be fine in terms of the capacity of the circuit feeding the lighter. You should fuse the run to the screen just to be safe in case something happens there.

One thing you may want to check is that the lighter is _not_ a switched circuit on all rigs, and I suspect that you _do_ want a switched circuit. I know it is on mine, but I figure you're doing this on the truck in your sig and I don't know about a 91.

 

It is a switched circuit on my 93.

 

Switched also on my '95. I'm using for conditional power to my stereo and CB.

 

As far as power you should be fine. The cig lighter should take up to 10 amps a least.

 

Sweet, thanks for the help so far guys.

Now, does anyone have any experience with doing this or anything similer (tapping in, adding on, etc.)?
Am I correct in assuming that the green wire going in is pos. and the red one is neg.?

I hooked it up like that, and nothing really happened.
I just want to make sure I am not making any stupid mistakes like that.

Thanks again.
Mark

 

I don't know for sure but I would guess that the red wire is positive. When I added on my CB and refrigerator I ran wires straight to the battery. I also added two unswitched cig lighters to the rear. Now I can charge my cell phone and keep the beer cold without the ignition switch on.

 

mark,

there's a searchable wiring database on www.the12volt.com that you should locate on their site and find re wiring colors.

bob

 

Do you know the operating voltage of the screen? Some lcd's need regulated current, if it does you need to use a dc-dc regulator.

As for finding the correct wires get a light/voltage tester. It's simple connect one end to a ground the other will tell you which is positive when the light lights up. When you switch the ignition on, then just tap the correct wire.