Wiring two 12V cigarette lighter sockets

[StuM]

Hi All,

I'd appreciate your collective wisdom on something.. I'm currently refurbing my dashboard and whilst it is out, I'd like to put in a couple of 12V sockets (cigarette lighter). Now, I have space on the fuse box to take a +12V and spare earth crown space, but wanted to know the best way to wire them.

Either:

1. Take separate feeds and wire +12V and earth to each
2. Take a large +12V feed and split into two smaller +12V feeds (same for earth)
3. Wire in series (thought this might be too much resistance)
4. Wire in Parallel.

I favour #2 I think - this is the approach I used to use when wiring multiple amplifiers in audio installations. Any idea what rating cable/fuse I should use?

Thanks in advance.

Cheers,
Stu

[Titus A Duxass]

I have two built in to my dash.
They are fed by a single fused (5amp) supply and a single earth.
This limits the load but I only power the satnav and MP3 player so don't need a high current supply to each.

[StuM]

They are fed by a single fused (5amp) supply and a single earth.

Thanks for that. Do you know if either of these (quickly knocked up) diagrams is how yours is done:



Cheers,
Stu

[AdrianC]

They are fed by a single fused (5amp) supply and a single earth.

Thanks for that. Do you know if either of these (quickly knocked up) diagrams is how yours is done:

You'd need to go with the second of those two, Stu.

If you wire them up in series (the first), then the circuit can only complete if there's something plugged in to both sockets, since the live & earth terminals in each aren't connected when there's nothing plugged in.

You might want bigger than a 5A fuse, though - they're usually at least 10A just for one socket. If you've got two off a single fuse, then that's the current that can be supplied as the total split between the two.

[StuM]

Perfect, thanks Adrian

[Titus A Duxass]

^^^^WHS^^^^

[StuM]

^^^^WHS^^^^

Thanks again

[Red Westie]

It's a simple job made even easier as you only need positive fused feeds NO EARTHS.
The dash is metal and fastened to the chassis with multiple screws so the metal type cigerette holders make their own earth connection when tightened in place.
Yes they have an earth terminal but this is only because most dashboards are made of plastic.


http://www.google.co.uk/products/catalo ... 8wIwBjgA#p
You will have to cut and paste the link in to your browser.
Martin

[StuM]

Thanks Martin, much appreciated.

As it happens, the ones that I have bought have an illuminated plastic collar that they mount into, so I mwill probably need an earth. Will double check though which part actually contacts the dash.

Cheers,
Stu