28 replies to this topic

[Jordannn]

Hi Guys,

 

I know this has been spoken about in previous topics - but just wanted clarification that the methods mentioned, are still be best way to go!

 

Im looking to install a cigarette lighter in my Rover Mini Equinox 1996. The lighter will only be used for electrical items (12v), 100% NOT required to heat up (i don't smoke).

 

I'd be grateful if any of you could send links to Cigarette Lighter Adapters/Fitting Kits, that you've used, or had fitted - and can vouch for!

 

Also, what would be the best power source to feed from - i dont want it direct onto the battery, like some ive seen! (obviously, the negative will be straight to metal, but as for the positive, any ideas what to feed off? - im thinking the radio - but need ideas! :) )

 

Thanks for any advice :)

 

 

[1984mini25]

I'd be grateful if any of you could send links to Cigarette Lighter Adapters/Fitting Kits, that you've used, or had fitted - and can vouch for!

 

Also, what would be the best power source to feed from - i dont want it direct onto the battery, like some ive seen! (obviously, the negative will be straight to metal, but as for the positive, any ideas what to feed off? - im thinking the radio - but need ideas! :)

 

 

Id' try eBay for the lighter/12v sockets, you can either get ones that mount in separate brackets for under the dash rail or drilled holes in dash boards, centre consoles etc.

 

As for the wiring, if yours has the 4 glass fuse box on the bulkhead. You can run a new wire for no.5 terminal with a fuse (around 10 amp) to the central pin of the socket and then an earth. That way the socket will only be powered with the ignition on.

[Jordannn]

 

 

 

 

Id' try eBay for the lighter/12v sockets, you can either get ones that mount in separate brackets for under the dash rail or drilled holes in dash boards, centre consoles etc.

 

As for the wiring, if yours has the 4 glass fuse box on the bulkhead. You can run a new wire for no.5 terminal with a fuse (around 10 amp) to the central pin of the socket and then an earth. That way the socket will only be powered with the ignition on.

 

Thanks for the reply.

 

Just for reference - this is the fuse box you're talking about (see red circle around picture attached)?

 

Also, when you say 'run a new wire for No.5 Terminal with a 10 amp fuse'  -  would this cigarette lighter port suffice - if i use the 'red' wire as the 'new wire':

 

http://www.ebay.co.u...xQAAOSwXeJXcdK8

 

Sorry about all the questions - im terrible with electrical wiring!

 

Thanks

 

 

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[1984mini25]

 

 

 

 

 

Id' try eBay for the lighter/12v sockets, you can either get ones that mount in separate brackets for under the dash rail or drilled holes in dash boards, centre consoles etc.

 

As for the wiring, if yours has the 4 glass fuse box on the bulkhead. You can run a new wire for no.5 terminal with a fuse (around 10 amp) to the central pin of the socket and then an earth. That way the socket will only be powered with the ignition on.

 

Thanks for the reply.

 

Just for reference - this is the fuse box you're talking about (see red circle around picture attached)?

 

Also, when you say 'run a new wire for No.5 Terminal with a 10 amp fuse'  -  would this cigarette lighter port suffice - if i use the 'red' wire as the 'new wire':

 

http://www.ebay.co.u...xQAAOSwXeJXcdK8

 

Sorry about all the questions - im terrible with electrical wiring!

 

Thanks

 

 

 

 

Yep that the fuse box I was talking about, if that's the one you have fitted? As the later minis switched over to a 24 blade fuse type witch is a little more complicated.

 

The one circled is also the terminal I was on about, as that's those terminals are only live with the ignition switched on. If you did want It permanently live, you could wire to no. 8 on the bottom right instead.

 

The red wire with that 12v socket would be suitable as the new wire to run from the n0.5 terminal. The black wire, witch would be the earth would just need to be attached to the body/chassis with either and existing screw or a new drilled hole and screw.

[Jordannn]

Thanks for the quick reply!

I'll double check to see if I've got that 4way fuse box fitted later on! - I'll get back to you!

Thanks

[Jordie]

I would recormend the double marine ones with waterproof covers. They are sealed so if your windscreen leaks etc its less likely to cause damage to it. They are nice neat little units. Id link one but got no signal hardly where i am

[nicklouse]

ok back to the beginning.

 

what are you wanting to power?

 

and then where are you wanting to place the socket?  as there are different mounting solutions.

 

just one outlet? no usb requirements?

[Jordannn]

It won't be anything too extreme, I've got some footwell lights that are powered by cigarette port, so there will be those, a car charger, and rarely a sat nav. If only Need one port, but it's nothing heavy voltage really.

And I'm not really fussed about mounting points, it will be hidden out of sight:)

Thanks

Edited by Jordannn, 06 September 2016 - 11:10 AM.

[nicklouse]

why not wire the footwell lights in direct?

 

a car charger? what is one of those. something to charge an appliance or something to charge the battery?

[Jordannn]

I missed the word 'phone' out! A phone charger!

I'd like a cigarette lighter socket as I can then power various light appliances :)

Edited by Jordannn, 06 September 2016 - 11:20 AM.

[nicklouse]

just getting a feel for what usage you might put it to.

 

the reason is that they are rated to 20A which is more than most of the Minis wiring can take but if you don't plan on using a cool box you will be fine.

 

I have something like this

http://www.ringautom...ti-Sockets/RMS7

 

 which I have removed the plug from and hard wired it into the van,

 

mine has 2 USB and 2 12v so I can run Sat nav and phone and CB and still have a spare, mine also have a switch on the back so I can turn it off or a LED is always on.

 

can be mounted under the lower dash rail.

[Jordannn]

I'd much prefer to have an actual single socket installed.

This is the cigarette lighter that I have bought:
http://m.ebay.co.uk/...6e793%7Ciid%3A1

I was planning on somehow connecting the live wire to something that only powers when the ignition is active, I.e. the radio.

Im unsure if this is a good option, and how i'd actually manage to do that :/

Edited by Jordannn, 06 September 2016 - 04:08 PM.

[Jordannn]

1984mini25 - I've just had a look at my fusebox fitted to the left of my injection system (see pic attached).

Looks like the initial idea won't work :/

Does anyone have any ideas how I could work around this?

Thanks

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[johnR]

I put two 12v sockets in my '89 city build - one under the dash for phones, satnav etc and the other under the rear seat for laptops and a powered cooler box that kept the beer cold on our trip to Monaco!  I put a new fusebox on the bulkhead in the engine bay so that each socket had it's own fuse (spotlights on another)

[1984mini25]

1984mini25 - I've just had a look at my fusebox fitted to the left of my injection system (see pic attached).

Looks like the initial idea won't work :/

Does anyone have any ideas how I could work around this?

Thanks

 

Ah, unfortunately I don't know enough about the later fuesbox wiring. I the way I suggested above though for the 4 fuse type is the way I've been wiring ciggy lighter/12v sockets for years. With no problems using the lighter socket for tings like the sat nav, phone charger etc.

 

The only difference between the ciggy lighter sockets and the 12v ones, is the ciggy lighters have the bit that heats up. But as smoking in cars is now frowned upon, they have done away with the heating element (witch you have to remove to use the socket anyway) and switched them to 12v sockets.