Wiring for cigarette lighter 🔋

[JOHN CT]

I did the FB search page, but I'm still confusedI want to install a cigarette lighter socket in to my stock 6 volt positive ground. For charging cell phones,gps,and other low voltage electronics.
So what I did just for a temporary hook up to see if it works It I hooked up a fused wire to the top terminal on the starter (that comes from the battery) to the center post of the cigarette lighter socket. Then the outside terminal connector on the cigarette lighter socket to a head bolt and to other good grounds under the hood
I plugged in my gps and my phone and nothing works. I've tested the center terminal inside the cigarette lighter socket with a test light and I have power then I hooked up my meter just for kicks to see if I have 6.7 volts and I do.
Am I doing something wrong???
Oh ya I tried it with the motor running and not running.

 

[Bob C]

Your devices probably only work on negative ground. You might try reversing the wires
on the lighter and be sure to isolate it from the car body.

Bob

 

[Tom Wesenberg]

Bob's right, you need to reverse the two wires. If you look on ebay you can find a nice insulated socket with mounting tabs and two wires coming out. Just mount it anywhere you want since the socket is insulated from the metal car parts, then be sure to connect the wire from the socket center to the car frame, and connect the socket shell wire to a power source on the car.

The first insulated socket I bought from ebay about 5 years ago didn't have mounting tabs, so I just lay it on the floor.

 

[Tom Endy]

The cigarette style power outlets mfg. by Bell are fully insulated so that you can wire either terminal point to positive or negative. Most auto parts stores carry them. I have one on my Victoria. I also have a 6 to 12 volt power inverter that provides a 12-volt negative ground. These are available from Bratton's.

Tom Endy

 

[CarlG]

I use one of these. Just clip the socket off and wire it in directly. It even has it's own fuse, and is insulated from vehicle. I mounted it with velcro so that it could be taken out if needed. It has 2 cig lighter style outlets and 2 usb ports. My wife liked it so much in the Model A, I had to put one in her Lincoln. Source was Amazon.

 

[Jim/GA]

Here is a link to an example of the outlet that I used.

The case is fully insulated. With 2 wires coming out of the socket, you can get the polarity right. Connect the one that comes off of the center post to ground (+) and the one on the outer shell to the main wiring system (-); I connected to one of the posts under the cover of the terminal box on the firewall.

I took the tacky sticker off of the front. Two hose clamps around the steering column put the outlet where I can easily reach it from the driver's seat.

https://www.amazon.com/RoadPro-RPPS...ry-Outlet/dp/B001JT7B3A/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[JOHN CT]

I wanted too say thanks to all. I took all of your advice,went down to the local parts store and they had a insulated cigarette lighter socket then I wired it the way you suggested! Power to the outside terminal and neutral to the inside terminal and bongo

Thanks

 

[Fred K-OR]

Good that you got it to work. When I wired mine I first had them reversed and burnt out my GPS cord plug. After buying two new ones, I realized what I had done and got it correct the third time.

 

[tim54889]

So 6 volts will work??

 

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

Re: Wiring for cigarette lighter ��

I wanted too say thanks to all. I took all of your advice,went down to the local parts store and they had a insulated cigarette lighter socket then I wired it the way you suggested! Power to the outside terminal and neutral to the inside terminal and bongo

Thanks

John, duz BONGO mean it WORKED???? Buster T. knows a Dog named, BONGO, he ticks him off whin he calls him BINGO
Bill W.

 

[CarlG]

I know we are all talking about just a power source for low current electronics, but:

Just my opinion, I don't think I'd ever use one of these plastic receptacles for a "real" cig lighter. I haven't tried it, but I would think the heat would melt things down in a New York Minute.

 

[JOHN CT]

Re: Wiring for cigarette lighter ��

John, duz BONGO mean it WORKED???? Buster T. knows a Dog named, BONGO, he ticks him off whin he calls him BINGO
Bill W.

Yep it works!!!
Life is good, and I'm always happy when somethings go right

 

[Jim/GA]

So 6 volts will work??

Yes, it will run a GPS. Or charge most cell phones.

Basically if your device has a computer USB style plug, that is 5 volts. So a cigar lighter adapter will convert your 6 volts down to 5 as easily as it converts 12 volts down to 5.