12v Cig Lighter socket- how much can it handle and best way?

[JaCe]

Just two quick questions;
1. How much can the 12v cig lighter socket handle if tapping into the wires to run a couple of accessories? I'm planning to use it to power my Pivot 3Drive (throttle controller) and GReddy Informeter Touch. Is there a limit on how many devices can use this power source if wired in?

2. What is the best way to tap into the 12v power supply? I'm talking physically... is there an easy way to remove the dash trim to get to the wires behind it or are there better places to tap the power?

Thanks

[tadz0rz]

The most you can draw out of the ciggy lighter fuse is about 120w i think...Im running 4 neons and a volt meter off my ciggy lighter fuse..never had a problem

As for tapping the power, not sure if it applies to EVO modles, but under the cup holders in the standard lancer there is an exposed wiring harness which usually runs to a ciggy lighter socket in the glove box. Since some of the lower models dont have the ciggy lighter socket in the glovebox, we just have some easy to tap wiring there.

Other than that, you can just run it straight off your battery...

[SIR-VRX]

As Tadz said, 120 Watts or 10 Amps of power.

Any more, best to draw from the battery.

[Speedie]

Make your self a harness too, so you don't have to splice wires. buy matching plugs for Autobarn (or Jaycar etc) that way when you remove the item you don't have to recut or have hacked wires around the car. It also means you don't have to worry if you made a good connection.

[JaCe]

Any idea how to guesstimate how much power draws when compared with devices?

e.g. Nokia mobile phone charger, GPS charger, etc...

Just trying to figure out how much power would be required for the GReddy Informeter Touch & the throttle controller.

[tadz0rz]

Would have to look it up in the spec sheets for the timer and throttle controller. It wouldnt be much id imagine...

[Dire]

My 32" lcd tv uses 152W.
You get the idea.

[WTR]

G'day Jeff, as said above, the cig socket is good for 10 amps MAX !

Add the load of all accessories you will connect to it to give you a total (in amps).

i.e. Nokia phone charger (typical) = 180 ma (milliamps) or 0.18 amps.

Keep adding without exceeding the 10 amp max.

If the accessory load is quoted in watts @ 12v ... to calculate amps, divide the watts by 12. i.e 28 watts = 28 divided by 12 = 2.33 amps.

HTH....

BTW - if you plug a cigarette lighter into the socket with a load of other accessories connected ....... all bets are off !!! You WILL blow the fuse !

[SIR-VRX]

My 32" lcd tv uses 152W.
You get the idea.

Yes but that's on 240V

152W @ 240V = 0.66 Amps
152W @ 12V = 12.66 Amps

Bit different at 12V isn't it haha

[WTR]

My 32" lcd tv uses 152W.
You get the idea.

Yes but that's on 240V

152W @ 240V = 0.66 Amps
152W @ 12V = 12.66 Amps

Bit different at 12V isn't it haha

[Dire]

Thats my point. It only uses a bit more than it can handle but you'd never do anything that extreme. Small things have tiny amperage in general.

Ie unless you're hooking up heaps of stuff, there is nothing to worry about.

[SIR-VRX]

My 32" lcd tv uses 152W.
You get the idea.

Yes but that's on 240V

152W @ 240V = 0.66 Amps
152W @ 12V = 12.66 Amps

Bit different at 12V isn't it haha

Are you a sparky too? lol

[WTR]

Yep, Adrian ....... guilty as charged but not an auto-elec.

[JaCe]

G'day Jeff, as said above, the cig socket is good for 10 amps MAX !

Add the load of all accessories you will connect to it to give you a total (in amps).

i.e. Nokia phone charger (typical) = 180 ma (milliamps) or 0.18 amps.

Keep adding without exceeding the 10 amp max.

If the accessory load is quoted in watts @ 12v ... to calculate amps, divide the watts by 12. i.e 28 watts = 28 divided by 12 = 2.33 amps.

HTH....

BTW - if you plug a cigarette lighter into the socket with a load of other accessories connected ....... all bets are off !!! You WILL blow the fuse !

Thanks guys. When you say plug a cigarette lighter in, do you mean an accessory or what? I was planning on plugging in my Nokia charger every once in a while but the GReddy Touch (looks like an ipod touch) and the throttle controller (a small 3 digit red LCD about the size of an AA battery). Hoping this will be okay!

[JaCe]

Any other insights into where I can tap the power from in the Evo for the 12v source?