How To Wire In 12V Cigarette Socket In Load Area?

woodbine · 2021-10-14 21:49:14

No, I'm not thinking if becoming a heavy smoker. I'm going to be travelling a bit soon and need to put a 12v cigarette type outlet/socket in the rear load area to run a small electric cool box. I'm guessing it would be best wired into an ignition controlled live. Does anyone have any ideas where to pick up a suitable live feed? Is there one in back? Or do I need to wire from fuse box or somewhere in front/dash area?

Any advice appreciated.

Last edited by woodbine (2021-10-14 21:49:53)

Casper · 2021-10-14 22:14:11

I think you will need to add your own. They are all ignition live but via a switch. Tail light, brake light, reverse etc.

Oh aye. Is the fag lighter niot ignition or radio where you can tap into or a piggy back fuse holder and grab one in fuse box.

Last edited by Casper (2021-10-14 22:18:56)

OAT · 2021-10-14 22:56:37

I would strongly recommend any alternative to the cigar lighter plug. They must be about the most unreliable electrical connectors ever devised.

They can spring out when you turn your back or with the slightest knock or bump. They are not very reliable at all, not good to find your ice melted, your food ruined, and worst of all, your beer warm.

Even if the device you are connecting has a lighter plug, I would replace it, especially for something like an ice box.. There are all sorts of 12v plugs and sockets available. A simple two pin one or jack plug type will be much more secure. If you don't need to remove it to carry to the beach or anything, even better would be to hard wire into a 12v switch.

First you need your live feed though. There are quite a few threads discussing various options. The one using an unused fuse might be best for you. It means you don't need to get through the firewall.

Last edited by OAT (2021-10-14 22:58:26)

Casper · 2021-10-14 23:32:51

Cant say i have ever had one jump out and been using fag lighter type for years however if you must, look into Hella sockets as they spring clip into place. You will obviously need a Hella plug as well.

Casper · 2021-10-14 23:44:25

This sort of Shizz

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/201507607402 … Sw6ShZT45Q

kenbw2 · 2021-10-15 00:27:36

OAT wrote:

I would strongly recommend any alternative to the cigar lighter plug. They must be about the most unreliable electrical connectors ever devised.

I'm with you, I hate those damn bulky plugs. I prefer just using Wago connectors

For an easy answer, you could just get one of those Piggyback fuses and rob it from the fuse box

I'd feel much happier with a direct battery feed though, which you can expand into multiple appliances as you add more things.

Last edited by kenbw2 (2021-10-15 00:29:08)

Pathfinder100 · 2021-10-15 14:06:25

Probably insufficient, but the bulkhead light might be a place to grab a small number of amps. it only looked like 2.5mm2 cable on mine so you would be limited to probably 10-15A if you uprated the fuse. Try and avoid any bonfires in the cable runs if possible. tongue Ultimately it probably depends what you are intending to use it for. I put a Halfords USB Socket into one of the circular holes in that cable run near the celiing. I can't see why you couldn't do a cig lighter socket in a similar place. But if you are running something high amp, I would look at a different connection, as suggested, maybe a 30A Anderson connector. As for pulling from an ignition live, I will leave the suggestions to people who have dabbled with the electrics on these vans.

30A Anderson Connector @ Altec Automotive

Last edited by Pathfinder100 (2021-10-15 14:13:26)

Casper · 2021-10-15 15:56:20

In my Convoy i have extra sockets and USB up the cab what i want running off main battery. They are all ignition lived but what i did was took a feed from the main ignition wire in the steering cowling and took that to a small 12v fuse box and my axillaries going to that. Saves finding another feed behind the dash at a later date if i need another toy

woodbine · 2021-10-19 23:18:37

Thanks for all your replies. Some great ideas, especially like the piggyback fuse holders - very clever. Suppose these could be used on any spare fuses too if there are any unused positions in the box. Some different options with the sockets and plugs, cigarette plugs do seem a bit rudimentary.

It's to run a 12v cooler box - not sure what type of current these draw. I'm supposing it would be best to have the new socket ignition controlled for a cool box? Looks like the ideal place for the socket would be in one of the voids in the roof rail, alongside the rear interior light.

Last edited by woodbine (2021-10-19 23:22:08)

kenbw2 · 2021-10-19 23:40:26

woodbine wrote:

It's to run a 12v cooler box - not sure what type of current these draw.

Quite a lot, my 4 litre one draws about 60W (5 amps at 12v). The thinner the wire the more of the energy is lost along the way.

For a 75Ah battery you could run it for about 5 hours before you're risking not being able to start the engine

Casper · 2021-10-19 23:49:16

I got an Aldi coolbox what i have used for about 5 years now, 30lt, 12v/240v and 3.9ah when running on 12v. Its not the quietest out there but for 30 quid its done me proud

Pathfinder100 · 2021-10-20 00:27:06

If its a peltier type, 5-10A depending on quality of the cooler. Down the road, look for a cheap 12v compressor fridge. They use bugger all power and work a lot better (and can come with a freezer compartment too).

If you were really worried about draining the battery, you could put a second battery in the engine compartment, assuming you have that dead space on the left side above the windscreen washer tank. I don't know if all vans have that space, but it seems like you could easily install a second battery there and connect it to the van battery via a VSR. Then run the cooler from the second battery.

woodbine · 2021-10-22 20:50:45

Thanks again to everyone for their help.

It's one of these.

https://www.mobicool.com/en-hk/hk/produ … c-_-243594

Throbin_Wood · 2021-10-23 11:49:10

https://dispatchexpertscudo.org.uk/foru … hp?id=1516

Last edited by Throbin_Wood (2021-10-23 12:02:33)

Pathfinder100 · 2021-10-23 19:47:20

Dimensions product depth 396 mm
Dimensions product height 445 mm
Dimensions product width 296 mm
Net weight 4.30 kg
Gross volume (EN62552) 30.00 l
Input voltage (DC) 12 V
Rated input power (DC) 48 W
Noise (DIN60704-1 & 60704-2-14) 39.00 dB(A)
Storage volume - total (EN 62552) 30.00 l
Power consumption in Eco mode 7.20 W
Average energy consumption at AC (EN62552) 0.18 kWh/24h
Energy class EU (1060/2010/EC) A++
Climate class (EN62552) N

4A isn't bad or less than 1A in eco mode.

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#1 2021-10-14 21:49:14

How To Wire In 12V Cigarette Socket In Load Area?

#2 2021-10-14 22:14:11

Re: How To Wire In 12V Cigarette Socket In Load Area?

#3 2021-10-14 22:56:37

Re: How To Wire In 12V Cigarette Socket In Load Area?

#4 2021-10-14 23:32:51

Re: How To Wire In 12V Cigarette Socket In Load Area?

#5 2021-10-14 23:44:25

Re: How To Wire In 12V Cigarette Socket In Load Area?

#6 2021-10-15 00:27:36

Re: How To Wire In 12V Cigarette Socket In Load Area?

#7 2021-10-15 14:06:25

Re: How To Wire In 12V Cigarette Socket In Load Area?

#8 2021-10-15 15:56:20

Re: How To Wire In 12V Cigarette Socket In Load Area?

#9 2021-10-19 23:18:37

Re: How To Wire In 12V Cigarette Socket In Load Area?

#10 2021-10-19 23:40:26

Re: How To Wire In 12V Cigarette Socket In Load Area?

#11 2021-10-19 23:49:16

Re: How To Wire In 12V Cigarette Socket In Load Area?

#12 2021-10-20 00:27:06

Re: How To Wire In 12V Cigarette Socket In Load Area?

#13 2021-10-22 20:50:45

Re: How To Wire In 12V Cigarette Socket In Load Area?

#14 2021-10-23 11:49:10

Re: How To Wire In 12V Cigarette Socket In Load Area?

#15 2021-10-23 19:47:20

Re: How To Wire In 12V Cigarette Socket In Load Area?

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