Robin Posted June 20, 2015 Report Share Posted June 20, 2015 Hi All I want to fit a 12v socket to run a sat nav or charge a phone. Do I connect straight to the battery terminals or to the ignition. The battery route sounds easier but would that cause problems? Thanks Robin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris A Posted June 20, 2015 Report Share Posted June 20, 2015 Hi Robin I wanted to do the same with my 13/60. I opted for a connection direct to the battery, easier to wire, plus an in line fuse. You need to remember that the circuit will still draw current even without the ignition on or key in, so don’t forget to unplug whatever you use the socket for. To keep the ‘authentic’ look of the inside of the car I fitted the socket under the dash so it isn’t easily visible, the model I chose has a waterproof cover for added protection. The GPS unit I use in the Herald is an old hand-me-down so I can claim it’s the original factory option Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin Posted June 20, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 20, 2015 Thanks Chris Was thinking I might try and rig something inside the dash ashtray, maybe with an iPod dock as well - seem to remember seeing something similar but can't think where Robin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david lewis Posted June 20, 2015 Report Share Posted June 20, 2015 i wired mine direct to the battery as i wanted it to power my 12 volt compressor and would not want to leave the ignition on while i went round all the tyres . cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin Posted June 20, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 20, 2015 Robin i wired mine direct to the battery as i wanted it to power my 12 volt compressor and would not want to leave the ignition on while i went round all the tyres . cheers Hi David - So is just a case of running wires from the + and - battery terminals? If so what gauge wiring would I need? Robin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david lewis Posted June 20, 2015 Report Share Posted June 20, 2015 i am sorry i do not know the technical terms of the cable --i just used a medium size black for the negative and red with a fuse in the + lines. sorry i could not be more help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Bonnett Posted June 20, 2015 Report Share Posted June 20, 2015 Another option you might like to consider is to take the feed from the Brown cable that goes to the lighting switch. Use a piggy back terminal. Your cigar lighter will probably have illumination so you can get that from the red/green cable which is your side light feed. You will also need to run an earth back to meet an earth cluster perhaps on the back of the speedo or an eyelet screwed to the body. These parts should do the trick http://www.autosparks.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=1084 http://www.autosparks.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=1711 http://www.autosparks.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=1295 http://www.autosparks.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=1097 http://www.autosparks.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=1749 http://www.autosparks.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=1115 http://www.autosparks.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=1110 http://www.autosparks.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=5264 I've just done this job on a friend's GT6 and it came out very nicely. Drop me a PM if you need any help John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD Posted June 20, 2015 Report Share Posted June 20, 2015 Fuse it! For goodness sake, fuse it! And I'm surprised to read John Bonnet advocating a 'piggy back' by which I assume he means a Scotchlok connector (See pic) These are another Spawne of Ye Deville, and a thorough bodge. I hope he means something different. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Bonnett Posted June 21, 2015 Report Share Posted June 21, 2015 Fuse it! For goodness sake, fuse it! And I'm surprised to read John Bonnet advocating a 'piggy back' by which I assume he means a Scotchlok connector (See pic) ScotchLok.jpeg These are another Spawne of Ye Deville, and a thorough bodge. I hope he means something different. John John please read it properly before jumping in. The brown feed to the lighting switch is fused and if you look at the relevant part in my parts list the piggy back connector is exactly that; a proper soldered Lucar connector with a protective sleeve. . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin Posted June 21, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 21, 2015 Thanks guys for all the advice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris A Posted June 21, 2015 Report Share Posted June 21, 2015 For the wire I used 2.5mm with a 20A fuse. I also use a compressor hence the high fuse rating. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD Posted June 21, 2015 Report Share Posted June 21, 2015 Sorry, John! Still think a separate fuse for the socket would be good! John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 21, 2015 Report Share Posted June 21, 2015 Hello Robin. I fitted a 12v cigarette lighter in to my Mk2 Vitesse dash as I wanted to charge my phone plus run a Sat Nav whilst in France. Used 17.5amp cable direct from the battery post to a newly installed (modern) fusebox with the appropriate fuse and then the cable from the box to the lighter; with an earth cable to complete. By doing this I ensured the lighter had its own separate fuse. Have to say all is working well and a very useful addition indeed. Photo attached. Regards. Richard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Bonnett Posted June 21, 2015 Report Share Posted June 21, 2015 Sorry, John! Still think a separate fuse for the socket would be good! John You are probably right John. That would certainly safeguard the lights and all the other circuits fed by that particular fuse if someone dropped something metallic in the cigar lighter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve C Posted June 22, 2015 Report Share Posted June 22, 2015 On a slightly different but related tack, my car has two banana plug sockets on an alloy plate in the back of the glove box for plugging in my Carcoon battery conditioner when the car is laid up. Two relatively light leads run straight to the battery terminals via ring connectors. It saves me having to keep the bonnet open or having cables sandwiched by it in my miniscule garage. The alloy plates just strengthen the rather flimsy Canley cardboard in order to mount the plugs. Regards Steve C Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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