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.