Risky Posted April 7, 2003 Share Posted April 7, 2003 I'm looking for an electrical socket to fit on the dashboard and I'm sure I've seen one which has a flip over cover and takes a cigarette lighter type plug. I'm looking to use it for charging up my mobile telephone and also to plug in one of those flexible map lights. Any suggestions? I'd also appreciate advice on the best way to wire up such a socket. I did think that if I wired it directly to the battery (with a suitable in line fuse) that I could also use it to plug in a battery condition charger. Would this cause any problems as I understand voltage on the battery when engine is running is around 14 volts. Risky Saving up for supersport R conversion Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chelspeed Posted April 7, 2003 Share Posted April 7, 2003 You could use a ciggy lighter socket but they're a bit big and cumbersome for just a 12V auxiliary socket, and besides someone might think you smoke so that's totally out. I have used mono 1/2 inch stereo headphone jack plugs, widely available, very neat socket in the dash, downside is the plug body sticks out about 2 inches when anything is plugged in and it gets in the way a bit. I have seen the plug you describe but not sure where, it's sort of round and dumpy, like a 25% scale ciggy lighter. Ideal. You could try vehicle wiring products, http://www.vehicle-wiring-products.co.uk/ or perhaps a caravan shop, they sell this sort of thing sometimes. Regarding the voltage, when the alternator is charging it will put approx 14V into the battery but there will also be 14V everywhere in the car that you think is 12V so don't worry about it. Wire it direct to the battery, via a fuse of about 5A if you have a batery conditioner or a bit more if you use a normal charger. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aclucas Posted April 7, 2003 Share Posted April 7, 2003 Maplin do a 4 way "extension" lead which I've fitted, and they also do a single one. Just chop the end of the lead off and wire it in somewhere suitable. Alan N7CTR 1.8VVC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
c21vhpd Posted April 7, 2003 Share Posted April 7, 2003 Risky, I've just fitted one from VWP (as ChelSpeed's link). They do 3, but only one has the flip cover. You'll need a drill bit that can do a 1" hole as well. FWIW, I wired mine direct to the battery via in inline fuse, ran the wire along the prop tunnel and put the socket in the rear bulkhead between the seats, above the courtesy light (we have a luxury time of it, us 21 owners ) and earthed it via a pop rivet to the metal plate that covers the rear section of the tunnel. I should probably gunge the end up with silicone to stop water getting up there, but haven't gotten round to it yet. Craig Honda Passion Orange, 640kg , and proud of it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHRIS CLARK Posted April 7, 2003 Share Posted April 7, 2003 Keep thinking about doing this as you can use it to:- a) charge that damn mobile, b)charge the car battery via a made up lead to a battery charger when it's garaged and c) plug the adapter for the GPS into !!! ps Have a Maplins four way socket tool. Good, but don't overload it!!! Clamshell Club Founder Member. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Brother Posted April 7, 2003 Share Posted April 7, 2003 Brent fitted a caravan type 12v power outlet to his Seven. It looks like a cigarette lighter socket but is around a 1/3 smaller. With a flip cover it looks very neat. I'm aiming to buy one later on this week. All you then have to do is to make up a converter lead so that "normal" sized plugs can be used (mobile charger etc) If wired up correctly the socket can also be used to trickle charge the car when its in the garage. Steve Se7en-Up! Less is more! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackb_ms Posted April 8, 2003 Share Posted April 8, 2003 Craig I had the same idea as you. How much room is there between the bulk head and the petrol tank? Is it flush mounted as well? Jack Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackb_ms Posted April 8, 2003 Share Posted April 8, 2003 Craig I had the same idea as you. How much room is there between the bulk head and the petrol tank? Is it flush mounted as well? Jack Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve-B Posted April 8, 2003 Share Posted April 8, 2003 gents seems an awfully expensive set of solutions . i just put in a # 6 cigarette lighter socket into the dash and am done with it. regardless if you smoke, most devices are going to need that socket. makes life easier in the longer run. Steve 210Bhp SV-VHPD click here to see our pictures.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian B Posted April 8, 2003 Share Posted April 8, 2003 Similar thread here FWIW I'd stick to the standard cig lighter connector, why fit another type and then mess about with 'converter' leads 🤔 Ian - MI 5EVN - Slightly Vider 😬 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Brother Posted April 8, 2003 Share Posted April 8, 2003 Ian, The rreason for using the smaller sized outlet is so that it dosen't look out of proportion with the rest of the dash. Come to think of it.....the above statement wouldn't apply in an SV 😬 😬 Steve Se7en-Up! Less is more! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve-B Posted April 8, 2003 Share Posted April 8, 2003 put in the right place, it don't. E.G. like under the temp & oil press guage Steve 210Bhp Sinister Version-VHPD click here to see our pictures.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian B Posted April 8, 2003 Share Posted April 8, 2003 Steve 😬 Even though I have a huge expanse of dash to fill I mounted a surface one underneath ❗ Trying to think of things to fill the dash with now though Ian - MI 5EVN - Slightly Vider 😬 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Brother Posted April 8, 2003 Share Posted April 8, 2003 You could always copy the VW Beetle and get a vase fitted to the dash Can you imagine the state of any flowers you put in it after a good hard blat! " @---->---- " " ------>---- " 😬 😬 😬 Steve Se7en-Up! Less is more! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris W Posted April 8, 2003 Share Posted April 8, 2003 Ian Take a look at my dash (click below) for ideas on how to fill it. I'm running out of space!! Chris 1.8K SV 140hp see it here Edited by - Chris W on 8 Apr 2003 13:52:44 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian B Posted April 8, 2003 Share Posted April 8, 2003 Steve, I think I'll give the vase a miss 😬 Chris, I think there's a small space above the main beam light switch you haven't filled yet 😳 Ian - MI 5EVN - Slightly Vider 😬 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris W Posted April 8, 2003 Share Posted April 8, 2003 Drat, you're right. Missed that! (parking radar going on next, as I can't turn round easily with the harness on) Chris 1.8K SV 140hp see it here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris W Posted April 8, 2003 Share Posted April 8, 2003 Edited by - Chris W on 8 Apr 2003 19:36:50 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quenton Fyfe Posted April 8, 2003 Share Posted April 8, 2003 Re the original question... Go to Farnell.co.uk and look up the following (use the search and change it to search by Mftrs. Code): Plug: 57715000 Socket: 57607002 Cheers! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grim Reaper Posted April 9, 2003 Share Posted April 9, 2003 The Ford Transit Connect has a 12V accessory socket provided in the front and rear. I have purloined one from my works vehicle and installed it in the dash where the horn button used to be.It has a plastic cover attached with 12V label on it. For those without access to aforementioned vehicle,I would think the required spare part would be easy to come by from a Ford dealer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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