12 v cigarette charger install

[Mcmoulden]

Hi,

Just looking for some advice to install a 12v cigarette type charger into my autosleeper Komet.

Is it advisable to cut into the stereo power with an inline fuse? (nearest option) or run a new cable from the leisure battery ( a lot more work) any other advise gratefully received!!

Cheers

[California Dreamin]

The problem with using the radio feed is it's likely to be rated fairly low (10amps on the interior lights at a guess) and sharing it with a socket intended to supply yet unknown achillaries with power...you are likely to overload the circuit.
Better taking the supply from the fuse box and giving in a 15amp inline fuse holder (correctly rated wiring of course)

Martin

[Nij]

Personally, I would run another live from the battery with a inline fuse (mine is on a switch)

[1664]

Depends what (and where) you want it for really. I already had a proper heavy duty one capable of actually lighting cigarettes mounted on the dashboard and connected to fuse number 3 (15amps). This is the fuse it's designed to go on which it shares with the radio, clock and interior courtesy lights. Bare in mind though that a 'proper' ciggie lighter is only used occassionally and only for 20 or so seconds duration and VW will have taken that into consideration rather than a continuous load.

I do have two other ciggie style sockets I fitted but they are low power ones designed to run 12v equipment like TV's etc and they are mounted one behind the driver's seat (for TV roof mounted between cab seats) and one below the Zig Unit over the kitchen area (I have a Komet too). Both these are fed by the Zig Unit. No good for high power applications though.

What's the charger for - just a phone?

[islandboy]

I'm wanting to install one too. Are there any spare live feeds on the fuse box and is it easy to access the back of it ?

[Nij]

I'm wanting to install one too. Are there any spare live feeds on the fuse box and is it easy to access the back of it ?

yes, either number 3 or 4 (I can never rembember, ill check and put on here in a bit)

[islandboy]

thanks

[Nij]

And typically, I was wrong, its number 5!!! lol

Main fuse board
Fuse - Amps - Circuit
1 - 30 - Radiator fan
2 - 10 - Brake lights
3 - 15 - Interior lights, clock, cigarette lighter, radio
4 - 15 - Hazard (4way) lights
5 - - Spare
6 - 15 - Foglamps
7 - 10 - Left-hand tail and side lights
8 - 10 - Right-hand tail and side lights
9 - 10 - Right-hand main beam
10 - 10 - Left-hand main beam
11 - 15 - Windscreen wash/wipe switch
12 - 20 - Electric windows, air conditioning, rear wiper
13 - 20 - Heater blower
14 - 20 - Heated rear window, lighting switch illumination
15 - 10 - Reversing lights
16 - 15 - Horn
17 - 10 - Windscreen wiper motor
18 - 10/20 - Braking system warning lamp, heated seats
19 - 10 - Directional indicators
20 - 10 - Numberplate lamp, headlamp washers
21 - 10 - Left dipped beam
22 - 10 - Right dipped beam

Additional fuses (under right hand rear seat)
Amps - Circuit
8 - Reading light
8 - Luggage area lights

Additional fuses above main fuse board
Amps - Circuit
10 - Instrument lighting
10 - Rear fog light
10 - Auxiliary heater over-heat protection
20 - Auxiliary heater main fuse
20 - Central locking
20 - Electric windows

[bigherb]

Autohomes run the wiring from the leisure battery under the dash You should find the wiring above the fusebox , you can put a junction and inline fuse there.

[islandboy]

Thanks for that, it looks a hefty wire. I only want to run phone charger and satnav, any other live feeds you could suggest ?
Your help is much appreciated

cheers

[Nij]

Personally I wouldnt use the radio wire myself...but I know people who have done it...............

[California Dreamin]

Think about it....taking a feed from the radio feed wire would be fine if all you intend to run off it is your SatNav or phone charger. Trouble is, a year or two down the line you forget, the next owner doesn't know about the sockets limitations and connects a cooler box or plugin dash heater..best case senario you blow a fuse, worst you burnt out some of your wiring and get an electrical fire.
By all means use the radio feed wire but if you do make sure you fit an 8amp inline fuse to protect the existing wiring.

Martin

[islandboy]

Think about it....taking a feed from the radio feed wire would be fine if all you intend to run off it is your SatNav or phone charger. Trouble is, a year or two down the line you forget, the next owner doesn't know about the sockets limitations and connects a cooler box or plugin dash heater..best case senario you blow a fuse, worst you burnt out some of your wiring and get an electrical fire.
By all means use the radio feed wire but if you do make sure you fit an 8amp inline fuse to protect the existing wiring.

Martin

That makes sense, as I am suffering from what the previous owner did and didn't do !

Many thanks all

[Mcmoulden]

Hi Everone,

Sorry been away..thanks very much for the gresat advice

Mike