Cigarette Lighter Central Connection
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- Minor Friendly
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Cigarette Lighter Central Connection
Hi Guy's I have just got me an aftermarket Cigarette lighter to go into my Traveller but the Main Connector at the back looks like a small Bullet connection.
I was wondering if any one else has had the problem of trying to get a female connector to attach the Mains power to it. There is a Red wire which is part of the illumination lamp and the Black earth wire ( No Probs There )
Tried getting in touch with the firm I bought it off but they do not know what connector I want they do not sell accessories. So at moment stuck
Cheers Bubblemechanic (Paul)
I was wondering if any one else has had the problem of trying to get a female connector to attach the Mains power to it. There is a Red wire which is part of the illumination lamp and the Black earth wire ( No Probs There )
Tried getting in touch with the firm I bought it off but they do not know what connector I want they do not sell accessories. So at moment stuck
Cheers Bubblemechanic (Paul)
- geoberni
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Re: Cigarette Lighter Central Connection
Nope, not at all. I've a selection of Male & Female connectors in my electrical spares collection, Yellow, Blue & Red. I purchased a range of sizes and styles at my first autojumble.
ALWAYS use a female connector for the supply side of a connection if practicable, especially if permanently live, like the feed to a Lighter/Power socket. Otherwise, if it should come apart, you've got a bare metal live male connector waiting to spark somewhere.
It's pretty common to have a Bullet connector for supply and a Spade for the earth on a lighter/power socket.
Readily available on ebay, in all manner of pack sizes. probably cheaper than buying a packet at a shop, once you've spent ages looking.
For example: /www.ebay.co.uk/itm/165053095396
ALWAYS use a female connector for the supply side of a connection if practicable, especially if permanently live, like the feed to a Lighter/Power socket. Otherwise, if it should come apart, you've got a bare metal live male connector waiting to spark somewhere.
It's pretty common to have a Bullet connector for supply and a Spade for the earth on a lighter/power socket.
Readily available on ebay, in all manner of pack sizes. probably cheaper than buying a packet at a shop, once you've spent ages looking.
For example: /www.ebay.co.uk/itm/165053095396
Basil the 1955 series II
Re: Cigarette Lighter Central Connection
Wouldn't the same happen if the entire connector, male or female, came away?geoberni wrote: ↑Tue Oct 19, 2021 7:13 pm ALWAYS use a female connector for the supply side of a connection if practicable, especially if permanently live, like the feed to a Lighter/Power socket. Otherwise, if it should come apart, you've got a bare metal live male connector waiting to spark somewhere.
On this subject, the other day I noticed I'd positioned my new 12v towbar wire that I had to run from the fusebox in the wrong place. To undo it I had to take off the female connector, then a "fun" time re-doing a long section of wire (that could only be positioned leaning wayyyy into the engine bay after the inevitable crawling under the car re-locating the part that wasn't reachable) and finally, triumphantly, putting on the connector - only to discover I'd picked up the wrong connector and had two males meeting each other - so I got a twin female connector (the original style black rubber ones) and joined them up in a grump and went indoors
Also don't forget the cheap crimp tool, and make sure if you buy a manual (non-cranking one) to get one with rubber, not plastic or metal, handles - your hands will thank you for it:geoberni wrote: ↑Tue Oct 19, 2021 7:13 pm Readily available on ebay, in all manner of pack sizes. probably cheaper than buying a packet at a shop, once you've spent ages looking.
For example: /www.ebay.co.uk/itm/165053095396
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/262814955269 ... SwjDZYgQr4
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- geoberni
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Re: Cigarette Lighter Central Connection
No, the Male and Female Crimps are the 2 halves of the Single connection!Chief wrote: ↑Tue Oct 19, 2021 8:21 pmWouldn't the same happen if the entire connector, male or female, came away?geoberni wrote: ↑Tue Oct 19, 2021 7:13 pm ALWAYS use a female connector for the supply side of a connection if practicable, especially if permanently live, like the feed to a Lighter/Power socket. Otherwise, if it should come apart, you've got a bare metal live male connector waiting to spark somewhere.
If the 2 elements of the connector, the Male and Female came apart, the live supply would be shrouded in the Female Connector.
Basil the 1955 series II
Re: Cigarette Lighter Central Connection
Just to clarify, I meant if the live wires connector came away completely leaving just the bare wire exposed.
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Re: Cigarette Lighter Central Connection
Hi,
For anything with a permanent live, like a 12V outlet for charging mobiles etc. I always fit an inline fuse for safety.
Best wishes,
Mike.
For anything with a permanent live, like a 12V outlet for charging mobiles etc. I always fit an inline fuse for safety.
Best wishes,
Mike.
1954 Series 2: 4 door: "Sally" -- Back on the ground with (slave) wheels and waiting to be resprayed......
1970 Triumph Herald 1200: "Hetty" -- Driven back from Llangollen in Wales (twice.....)
1970 Triumph Herald 1200: "Hetty" -- Driven back from Llangollen in Wales (twice.....)
- geoberni
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Re: Cigarette Lighter Central Connection
I realised what you meant, that's why I made it clear what I had said, just so that everyone else understood.
That also comes back to my second point about using a ratchet crimp tool that will significantly reduce the chances of an actual 'crimp' just falling off because it hasn't been fitted correctly by using the 'cheap and nasty' tool that relies simply on user's judgement.
Edited to correct a typo.
Last edited by geoberni on Wed Oct 20, 2021 12:36 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Basil the 1955 series II
Re: Cigarette Lighter Central Connection
Cigarette lighters, ooh don’t get me started! I have an electric tyre pump which plugs into a lighter socket. It was original equipment with a Vauxhall Corsa. Unfortunately the Corsa is the only vehicle we have with a suitable socket. Browsing eBay I spotted a socket with wires and clips to connect direct to the battery when required, only £3 including postage from China.
Duly connected the pump wouldn’t work. I disconnected from the tyre and the unladen pump ran, but only very slowly. Then I realised that the wires were getting very hot and on closer examination found they had only half a dozen strands of wire the size of a human hair. Ok, clearly not allowing enough current so I dug out some thicker wire and carefully soldered it to the socket and clips. I connected it all up again. This time the socket melted!
Clearly a very lightweight piece of kit and suitable only for very low current items. The eBay listing made no mention of load limits or suitable uses. I laugh at it now but if I hadn’t noticed what was happening it could have caused a serious fire. Some of this cheap imported stuff is quite dodgy and must be used with care, or perhaps better, avoided altogether.
Duly connected the pump wouldn’t work. I disconnected from the tyre and the unladen pump ran, but only very slowly. Then I realised that the wires were getting very hot and on closer examination found they had only half a dozen strands of wire the size of a human hair. Ok, clearly not allowing enough current so I dug out some thicker wire and carefully soldered it to the socket and clips. I connected it all up again. This time the socket melted!
Clearly a very lightweight piece of kit and suitable only for very low current items. The eBay listing made no mention of load limits or suitable uses. I laugh at it now but if I hadn’t noticed what was happening it could have caused a serious fire. Some of this cheap imported stuff is quite dodgy and must be used with care, or perhaps better, avoided altogether.
- geoberni
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Re: Cigarette Lighter Central Connection
There's some things you just don't want to buy direct from China.
I've seen those on ebay and some say they are 30A
12v 30A would require a minimum of 2 to 2.5 sq mm cable
As you say, the images actually on the page imply a far smaller cable size.
Basil the 1955 series II
Re: Cigarette Lighter Central Connection
I used https://www.12voltplanet.co.uk/triple-h ... ckets.html for usb ports, a battery meter and "cigar lighter" socket. I actually have't used the socket yet but the USB ports and meter work well, and the reviews on the website suggest it is acceptable quality. (Everything has its own fuse, in a fuse box, not as part of the products.)
The holes are just slightly too narrow to fit in the ashtray holes in the parcel shelf so I filed them slightly wider and glued metal nuts so I could use the same holes. The lighter socket is specced at 20A. It's only £4.40.
The holes are just slightly too narrow to fit in the ashtray holes in the parcel shelf so I filed them slightly wider and glued metal nuts so I could use the same holes. The lighter socket is specced at 20A. It's only £4.40.
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Re: Cigarette Lighter Central Connection
Thank you all for your speedy replies, and unfortunately I was asking if anybody knew the actual size if possible of the central connection bullet connector for these particular lighters?
The lighter I bought has the Black and red Wiring for the Illumination Then the Central Male connection out of the Back, the end looks like a bullet connector but is smaller than the normal bullets that I have.
When I got in touch with the people who supplied it said they do not supply any kind of connector for the middle connector
I am a little lost
Cheers Paul
The lighter I bought has the Black and red Wiring for the Illumination Then the Central Male connection out of the Back, the end looks like a bullet connector but is smaller than the normal bullets that I have.
When I got in touch with the people who supplied it said they do not supply any kind of connector for the middle connector
I am a little lost
Cheers Paul
- geoberni
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Re: Cigarette Lighter Central Connection
Bubblemechanic wrote: ↑Wed Oct 20, 2021 4:18 pm the end looks like a bullet connector but is smaller than the normal bullets that I have.
Well the back of mine is like that and it's a standard Red Bullet Connection.
Are yours Blue ones by any chance....
Last edited by geoberni on Wed Oct 20, 2021 5:22 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Basil the 1955 series II
Re: Cigarette Lighter Central Connection
I can’t advise on the connector size you will need, so many manufacturers produce these sockets and I wouldn’t assume that they are all a standard fitting. You could try measuring it with a micrometer, or maybe just buy a pack of assorted connectors.
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Re: Cigarette Lighter Central Connection
The last one that I bought has spade terminals:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/313660752481 ... Sw8vJhLeQF
This takes standard blue female spade connectors, as did the one I bought for the Herald, although this came with lengths of cable and an inline fuse holder already:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/193959866577
Best wishes,
Mike.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/313660752481 ... Sw8vJhLeQF
This takes standard blue female spade connectors, as did the one I bought for the Herald, although this came with lengths of cable and an inline fuse holder already:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/193959866577
Best wishes,
Mike.
1954 Series 2: 4 door: "Sally" -- Back on the ground with (slave) wheels and waiting to be resprayed......
1970 Triumph Herald 1200: "Hetty" -- Driven back from Llangollen in Wales (twice.....)
1970 Triumph Herald 1200: "Hetty" -- Driven back from Llangollen in Wales (twice.....)
Re: Cigarette Lighter Central Connection
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/392195418517 ... Swx2dYGjWR
You only tend to see those three sizes (red is smallest). At least with the assortment you have other connectors on hand if you should ever need them.
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Re: Cigarette Lighter Central Connection
I suspect this is a cheap buy on the part of the OP?
If it is, it is likely to fail early.
My simple ‘fix’ would be to solder on a heavy gauge wire, suitable for the load, run the supply through an in-line fuse and simply carry on. No hassle, problem overcome - and no need for complicated intervention.
No need, then, for a connector sticking out the back (connection made at a convenient point), no need for any special purchase, all repair kit is standard (for a ‘bubble’ mechanic - whatever that is supposed to describe).
If it is, it is likely to fail early.
My simple ‘fix’ would be to solder on a heavy gauge wire, suitable for the load, run the supply through an in-line fuse and simply carry on. No hassle, problem overcome - and no need for complicated intervention.
No need, then, for a connector sticking out the back (connection made at a convenient point), no need for any special purchase, all repair kit is standard (for a ‘bubble’ mechanic - whatever that is supposed to describe).
- geoberni
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Re: Cigarette Lighter Central Connection
I don't regard that as the case at all.oliver90owner wrote: ↑Thu Oct 21, 2021 5:04 am I suspect this is a cheap buy on the part of the OP?
If it is, it is likely to fail early.
My simple ‘fix’ would be to solder on a heavy gauge wire, suitable for the load, run the supply through an in-line fuse and simply carry on. No hassle, problem overcome - and no need for complicated intervention.
No need, then, for a connector sticking out the back (connection made at a convenient point), no need for any special purchase, all repair kit is standard (for a ‘bubble’ mechanic - whatever that is supposed to describe).
Even the £14 one from CW has the same connection.
www.morrisminor.org.uk/parts/116-access ... olt-supply
In my experience, a great many, if not the significant majority, of after market lighter/power sockets have the same connection.
What is complicated by using a Red Crimp?
I just took the connection from the back of Basil's and the new matching Red Male connector I put in for illustrative purposes is a very secure fit, I can't make it any clearer.
It just happens that Basil's crimp is fitted with a separate clear insulation, but Hey Ho, it's the Red size.
The past owner probably paid somewhere to fit it, they did practically nothing to the car themselves as far as I can work out, they always 'had it done'.
Use a Red Female Insulated Crimp.
Basil the 1955 series II
Re: Cigarette Lighter Central Connection
I'm glad mine was just standard blades, but to help the OP, you mean something like this:
https://www.12voltplanet.co.uk/insulate ... minal.html
Most annoyingly, there seems to be a range of sizes of bullets which are almost the same, presumably imperial vs metric. Red here is 4mm. 12 volt planet also sell 4.7mm which is perhaps to match 3/16", and 5mm for blue and yellow. NB red gives max 1.5mm^2 cable = 21A, so best to use a 10A fuse (with 20A cutout). If you wanted 20A capacity, you may need a different lighter unless it has a 5mm bullet.
https://www.12voltplanet.co.uk/insulate ... minal.html
Most annoyingly, there seems to be a range of sizes of bullets which are almost the same, presumably imperial vs metric. Red here is 4mm. 12 volt planet also sell 4.7mm which is perhaps to match 3/16", and 5mm for blue and yellow. NB red gives max 1.5mm^2 cable = 21A, so best to use a 10A fuse (with 20A cutout). If you wanted 20A capacity, you may need a different lighter unless it has a 5mm bullet.
- geoberni
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Re: Cigarette Lighter Central Connection
I thought 4.7mm was the contact width for the spade terminals. Can't say I've ever encountered different sizes of Red Bullet
Basil the 1955 series II
Re: Cigarette Lighter Central Connection
I hadn’t come across 12 Volt Planet before but the range on their website looks good. Their socket with clips is actually stated to be suitable for inflators but not lighters. It costs £8. That’ll teach me to be a tightwad