Wiring load question

[Calfdemon]

A question for any out there that might know the proper load for the ignition accessory plugs. Here is my situation:

I am installing a stereo that needs a 12V connection to an ignition hot, and then a 2nd 12V constant connection for the radio memory (clock, etc...). I figure that the 12V constant hot is easy enough as the memory wont be too much of a drain and I can splice that directly into the factory cigarette lighter which is always hot.

As for the 12V ignition hot, I want to plug it into the ignition accessory plug like the factory radio would go. But I am already using all 3 plugs and am not sure how much of a draw everything will be and if it will be too much. I am running my wipers off of 1 plug as it came from the factory. I am running a 2nd cigarette lighter (power outlet) which I do not want constant power to, and I am powering my tachometer with the 3rd plug.

I was thinking that the tach probably isnt too much of a draw and might be able to be spliced into the wiper motor wire as that is only used rarely (especially in So Cal). Then I could use the 3rd plug for the radio. I dont really want to run a new constant hot from the battery to power the radio as I would like the power to be off when the ignition is off. Do you guys think that these 4 items (tach, wipers, cigarette lighter, radio) are too much for the ignition power plug?

I really am curious as well due to me hooking up that 2nd power plug (cigarette lighter) as that will be used to power various items that might draw a bit, such as a GPS, or possible laptop converter, etc...

I could run a 2nd dedicated hot from the battery to that cigarette lighter, but I really wanted one that would power down when the ignition is off since the factory lighter is a contant hot.

Anyway, anyone out there with some good knowledge of the Bump's electrical system have some advice on which direction I should go?

Thanks in advance..

[BobbyFord]

Rich,

Maybe something like this will work for you. This one is 7 circuit, they make them with 12 or more circuits...
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/PRF-70207/

[Calfdemon]

That may be something I will do in the future, or probably something I should have already gotten. But I am looking for a good way to hook this up right now without going that route. Maybe I will just not use the 2nd cigarette lighter right now and will power it later. Its already installed, but I can disconnect the power for now. At least that way I have some tunes until I buy the painless kit. Thanks Bobby, that was not an option I had considered yet.

[fordman]

some of the fuse boxes had extra terminals in them for accesories to jump off of. the original radio wire had its own inline fuse in it. but to get a ignition and radio off at the same time you need a ignition power source. not a full batter source. only the clock memory would go straight to the battery. i would hook the second cigarette lighter to the first one and free up one position in that three holed plug.

[basketcase0302]

Or you could pull a separate circuit for the lighter plug feeding a relay. Then use the switched power from the ignition switch to close the relay.

[Calfdemon]

Yeah, someone pointed me in the direction of wiring a relay on another site as well. Looks like I can get a 2 function relay for about $10. I can power the relay directly from the battery (with an inline fuse) and then use the 3rd plug on the ignition to trigger the relay to turn on. I can then hook up the 2nd cigarette lighter and the radio up to this relay. It would basically give me one more accessory option off of the ignition and also relieve some of the power draw off of the ignition and fuse box by powering the relay directly. I am going to look into this method and this should probably work for what I need:

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/VIA-80238/

Gotta love all the ideas and help you get on this site!

[Calfdemon]

So I plug my IPOD charger into my cigarette lighter today to charge it while I try out my new stereo. I know the cigarette lighter works as it has power and actually heats the lighter to a nice red glow. But I could not get any power to any other items I plug into it. I tried a few different things and could not get power to any of them.

Do the older cigarette lighters not work the same way as newer ones do? Do they not work as power plugs? I was not aware of this if this was the case. I dont smoke and only have the actual cigarette lighter plugs for stock looks, but want operational power outlets behind them.

If the original ones will not work as power plugs, has anyone installed a newer one into their truck in the stock location? And if so, which ones will fit best? Im assuming that most cigarette lighters will be about the same size but want to make sure if I need to get new ones, that I get some that will fit in the factory holes.

If the originals do work as power plugs, I would like to know that for sure so I can figure out what it is that is wrong with mine.

[70_F100]

Mine works fine as a power source.

I plug my phone into it all the time.

[Calfdemon]

Okay thanks... then I will play around with what I have and figure out what is going on then.

[fordman]

it was probably a loose plug. into the cigarette lighter. wiggle it.

[ForingaMex]

My guess is that the center contact in the lighter plug is corroded since with the actual lighter it doesn't contact right in the center. Look in there and I'm pretty sure you'll see what I mean. My $0.02

[Calfdemon]

My guess is that the center contact in the lighter plug is corroded since with the actual lighter it doesn't contact right in the center. Look in there and I'm pretty sure you'll see what I mean. My $0.02

You were spot on.. Took both of my lighters out and looked down at the base. Very corroded inside both of them. Took some sandpaper at the end of some needlenose pliers and cleaned them to a shine. Put them both back in and powered them up. Everything I plug in now works like a charm.

Thanks!