Add cigarette lighter sockets internally

dnme

1998 Corolla 1.3L

I have two devices that I power from the cigarette lighter socket. A phone adapter and an xdriven camera. I purchased a 2 way socket adapter to accommodate these devices but the cables running down my dash are ugly and get in the way of the cup holder.

Would it be ok to strip the 2 way adapter cable and solder it to the existing lighter socket terminals in behind the dash? That way I can run the cables for my two devices in behind also and just plug them into the sockets of the modified 2 way adapter permanently. It would tidy things up behind the dash and leave the original socket free.

Is this safe? sound?

Many thanks

darragh o meara

I have done this in a few cars for daughters DVD player in the rear. There are a few things to bear in mind though :

1. MAKE SURE ADDITIONAL SOCKETS ARE NOT USED AS CIGAR LIGHTERS,ONLY AS POWER SUPPLY FOR LOW CONSUMPTION DEVICES IE SAT NAV,DVD PLAYER

2. If you do it make sure to use good quality cable and connections.

3. Make sure any connections or spicings are well insulated. I usually stick an additional 5amp fuse inline to extra sockets for peace of mind

4. When running cables behind dash make sure the cables can't chaff off any rough edges or anything likely to wear through the cable which could short it out.

I'm not a mechanic or auto electrician but have done a lot of wiring in cars and do have some limited experience. Any of my comments above are not to be taken as gospel. If in doubt pay an autoelectricain to carry out the work.

dnme

Nice one darragh, the 5amp fuse is definitely a good idea that I had not thought of. I will be soldering all joints also.

dnme

I think I've hit disaster here. I spent the day running the cables form my devices in behind my dash. Then I took the cigarette lighter assembly assunder and soldered a modified 2 way adapter to it as per the attached diagram. I took my time, soldered all joints and splices and was meticulous in shielding all work with good insulating tape.

When I connected up my devices - nothing! I then had to reverse my actions to troubleshoot. I started off thinking fuses, checked em all - they are all fine. Then I checked the fuses in the plugs of my devices. They seem fine. Then I tested the car's cigarette lighter on its own with all my mods removed. It works.

The two devices that I was connecting originally have stopped working. I even tried my phone adapter in another car and it does not work. So it seems that I have done something to my two devices.

Any advice anyone?

1. This diagram is how I wired up.


2. This is the actual assembly

Slidey

If your devices are not working I would say you must have blown their internal fuses by having the wires back to front.

Have you a multimeter?

The outer part of the adapter should be negative and the middle pin should be positive

dnme

Slidey,

With the 2 way adapter I bought, there was no markings on the cable so I was kinda guessing. There was a kinda seam on one cable coming out of each adapter so I assumed that was the positive for each one. I have no multimeter.

My phone adapter is a Brodit holder for a HTC Touch HD. The phone is fine, just the adapter not working and can be replaced. But what about my xDriven DRS1100, Have I destroyed it?

Slidey

There is more than likely an internal fuse. I hope.

dnme

Slidey wrote: »

There is more than likely an internal fuse. I hope.

Gonna open it up now, looks very finnicky