Tieing in power

[Phiber]

Where can I tie into to get power for some interior accent tubes I just got? I would rather tie in near the fuse box to get my power. :) I have a control box with on/off function if that helps any.

I am going to get power to the box and then go and hide the mounting.

[kylemorg]

I'd suggest tapping into the power leads on the backside of the cigarette lighter. That way, your accessories are drawing on a little-used circuit (15 amp, I believe) and they'll turn off when you turn the key off. That would probably be the easiest and safest place to make a connection -- no other electrical or mechanical parts to get in the way.

You can get taps that plug in to the fuse box that give you a blade connector for a crimped-on female blade connector, but I don't think they'll clear the back of the box that covers the fuse panel.

Hope that helps.

[Phiber]

Hah, I just got finished tapping into the power fromt he rear of the ciggerette lighter. And when I put everything back together, I knocked one of the butt connectors loose and now I don't have radar detector or neons. Grrrrr... Now I gotta open it back up.

[04 elantra cvvt]

It'll be alright phiber. Just take your time.

[kylemorg]

It's always a challenge tapping into 12v in the newer cars.
You'll get it; it always takes me at least two tries to get all the stuff working, too.

At least you only knocked out your radar detector/neons and not something like your ignition or other vital wiring, though, right? :)

[southpawboston]

not to preach, but stay away from crimp connectors, they always cause problems. solder and tape your splice joints when you can, it's the most reliable. i can't recall how many times ppl would come into my shop with stereo/alarm problems that were traced back to poor crimp connections!

[Phiber]

Got everything right, now. :) Just need to do a little touch up on the hiding of stuff, but you can't see it as it is, now. Only problem is I used electrical tape to hide everything so I gotta get up there and use wire ties.

It looks pretty good, too. :) You can't see the bulb so it's not rice! (In my book, anyways) And the girlfriend loves it, which is what counted in the first place, anyways. :) Now I am gonna go get another one on tuesday and put it on the drivers side and I'll be good to go. :)

[kylemorg]

Good work! Post some pictures if you get a chance.

[krnsmartguy]

how would u hook them up if u wanted them to turn on with the headlights/driving ligths??

[JacksonJ]

You would just connect it to that wire then, under the dash. But you don't want to draw too much from a single fuse. Using a less used circut is better. Also if you don't have your wiring correct and you cause a short, you may lose your headlights until it's corrected. If you lose your cigarette lighter, who cares, but your headlights are much more important

[krnsmartguy]

can someone post a diy to do this?? =D

[BColeman]

What color is the power wire from the cigarette lighter?

[2loud2k2xd]

What color is the power wire from the cigarette lighter?

green, this is how i wired up my a/f gauge and my nitrous pressure gauge as well.