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Installing An Auxialary Power Outlet?


Best Answer KernowCooper , 07 October 2013 - 05:52 PM

I would use this spec as I see so many wired for light use phone charging/sat navs and then someone pops a cigar lighter in there !

 

2.0mm 28/0.30mm Thin Wall Cable.
Nominal Current Rating: 25.0 amps

 

Ground wire can be on the mounting to the dash.

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#1 dschwartz1957

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Posted 05 October 2013 - 06:41 PM

I would like to install an auxialary power outlet in my '68 Mini Traveller. This will be used to power a GPS, cell phone charger, 12V tire pump, etc. The car has the original fuse box with two fuses, and one or more in-line fuses were added by previous owners.

 

The car was converted to positive earth and has an alternator. Where are the best / safest places to connect the power leads for an auxialary power outlet? Presumably I should add an inline fuse holder going to the red wire.

 

Thank you,

 

David Schwartz

Framingham, MA (near Boston)

 

 



#2 WiredbyWilson

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Posted 05 October 2013 - 06:46 PM

You are best running a completely new wire from the solenoid to the power outlet with a 10A inline fuse. That way no additional stress is put on the existing system.

 

David

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#3 Gremlin

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Posted 05 October 2013 - 07:06 PM

You are best running a completely new wire from the solenoid to the power outlet with a 10A inline fuse. That way no additional stress is put on the existing system.
 
David
WiredbyWilson

+1 ^

If you don't know what modifications have been done, just take a feed straight from the solenoid, and an inline fuse close to the solenoid, maybe even a switch if you wish

#4 dschwartz1957

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Posted 06 October 2013 - 02:05 AM

I was considering tapping into the hot lead going to the wind screen washer button. Running a wire from the solenoid with an inline fuse is a better idea.

 

Is 16 gauge wire sufficient? Is there a preferred location to attach the ground wire?

 

Thanks again,

 

David



#5 KernowCooper

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Posted 07 October 2013 - 05:52 PM   Best Answer

I would use this spec as I see so many wired for light use phone charging/sat navs and then someone pops a cigar lighter in there !

 

2.0mm 28/0.30mm Thin Wall Cable.
Nominal Current Rating: 25.0 amps

 

Ground wire can be on the mounting to the dash.



#6 mullet

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Posted 08 October 2017 - 10:53 AM

Hello everyone.

 

I’ve searched this forum and thought I’d add on the end of one of the most recent posts on this topic.

 

I’m afraid to say many of the posts throughout the forum don’t actually tackle the installation with step by step instructions using laymen terms and are fraught with posters attacking each other, but nothing constructive alternative suggestions from it. So I want to collect most of what I read into a single post, do it, then share the result.

 

So I also want to add a cigarette lighter to a 1985 mini. I’m very competent at following instructions, have dismantled and rebuilt my 1st mini’s engine, have rewired my entire house. Not because I am clever, but because I followed clear instructions.

 

I realise there is practicality in taking power from an existing point in the engine.

 

So how does this sound? And just because I don’t know the names of things, doesn’t mean I deserve responses like “you sound thick, take it to a garage”.

 

Step 1:-

take positive power from a spare doda male eletrical thingymabob from here, solenoid I think it is called:-

http://www.theminifo...11c89904494.jpg

 

Note the spare male connector thingy I need to take that looks like this on the postive (+) terminal:

https://ae01.alicdn....Connector-b.jpg

 

Wire of choice will be red 2.0mm 28/0.30mm Thin Wall Cable (or something else?? Because mention of diameter seemed to causes posters to go into knowitall meltdown with no suggested alternatives)

 

Step 2:-

run the wire back close to existing, original, fuse box avoiding areas of friction and heat and at some point close to the original fuses, add a 15amp fuse via one of these:

https://my-live-02.s...c79ff46fe2a.jpg

 

Clipped in place for stability.

 

Run the exiting cable into the dash area, avoiding areas of friction and heat, and install the cigar socket thing at the desired location:

http://112.124.9.237...530D76E1E45.jpg

 

Step 3:

now the negative wire (or “earth”, which is apparently the same thing in car and motorbike terms) has to go somewhere, ultimately with the exiting current in firm metal-to-metal contact with the body of the car. This is where it gets a bit vague to me. Rather than drilling new holes somewhere, some say to hijack the radio earth/negative, but don’t say how or where. And radios probably vary somewhat. So perhaps an even more practical place to connect is here (ie, share the blue wire connection)?

https://i.ytimg.com/...w/hqdefault.jpg

 

So before I get mocked and ridiculed, I am asking for the very reason not to end up being stupid and dangerous. Just remember no such thing as stupid questions, just stupid answers.

 

Thanks for the advice!

Mullet.



#7 skoughi

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Posted 08 October 2017 - 03:27 PM

Hahaha! Loved that mullet! I fitted one in my clubman. I ended up running a feed wire straight from the battery to the power socket with an inline fuse where it comes off the battery. I also fitted a relay for switching power on and off at the socket from a ignition switched source behind the dash, can't remember what I used but as it's used to switch the relay on and off then anything would do, maybe that's the wrong thing to do? As for a earth point behind the dash I have a couple of small set screws that are fixed to bare metal so that I can fix multiple eye terminations to.

#8 cal844

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Posted 08 October 2017 - 06:19 PM

On my estate I have it fitted with a piggy back spade to terminal#1(white wires) at the fuse box. Run the wire to the lower dash rail, then earthed on a spare hole in the lower dash rail

#9 KernowCooper

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Posted 08 October 2017 - 08:56 PM

I would say that if you have read this post and then have to ponder what where to wire it you need to read in the faq's electrical basic electrical course, which will show clarity and help you understand. We all had to read something sometime






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