How many AMP fuse to use?

Hi Fella's

I ordered a cigarette lighter socket off ebay and waiting for it to arrive.
The reason for my post is i am planning to use a fuse tap to tap my cigarette lighter fuse. i will be adding another cigarette lighter socket to which i can plug my dash cam and tuck it away nicely under the dash/steering coloumn.

My question is, currently the cigarette fuse circuit is a 20amp circuit (existing fuse is 20A). I was planning to lower that circuit to 15A and add my extra socket at only 5A (total 20A).

I do not permit smoking in my car so i really wont be making use of the cigarette lighters 20A i dont think. And my camera only draws 5v 1A according to the plug supplied with the camera.

So is this fine? Or should i just do 20A for the existing socket and add my new socket at 5A. I highly doubt i will EVER draw that much current from that circuit. only things i use are GPS/Phone Charger/Dash Cam, etc. Nothing Heavy.

Thanks Guys

anyone?.................

sounds like you have covered all the bases, knowing how much current draw the circuit allows and how much current draw you intend on using.


if you're still not sure, just run a new circuit for peace of mind.

I just need one that will power on and off with the car. The lighter is the easiest one and one I consider unused :-)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by philip_pc

My question is, currently the cigarette fuse circuit is a 20amp circuit (existing fuse is 20A). I was planning to lower that circuit to 15A and add my extra socket at only 5A (total 20A).

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This option since you already have the parts to do it, but the best would be to create an entirely new circuit.

The original lighter circuit was designed for 20A because it takes a lot of current to heat the element in the lighter.
As long as you don't try pull more current than it's designed for (20A) you should be fine. And given that you won't be using the lighter it will most likely be fine.

Just check the specs on anything you plug in if you think it might draw a lot of current.

What other circuit could I use that would also power on and off with the car? Would you have any suggestions?

There are some empty spits without fuses but I'm not sure if they power on and off with the car. Not home at the moment so can't check which fuses numbers they are.

By new circuit, I mean find a switched ignition source, use a relay and run new wire from battery.

But considering the small amount of current your drawing, your setup will be fine.

The one I've suggested is for bigger things like spotlights, pumps, etc. But can be used for anything, which is why it's ideal.

Understood, if my method will suffice I'll probably go that way. Tidier, easier, n I got the equipment already. Many thanks for your advice though. You've been a great help

No worries, like I said just check the specs on anything you plug in if you think it might draw a lot of current (laptop chargers and things like that) it will save you from blowing fuses

is this what you have bought?

http://www.dhresource.com/albu_24694...ter-socket.jpg

if not get this and problem solved!

That's ugly

this is what i got.
http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTUwMFgxNT...YZg~~60_57.JPG

only have 1 item in mind at the moment i wanna hardwire. if i get more down the track ill just swap to one of the multiple outlet ones, but for now just one.

will be chopping off the plug and grounding/wiring the red and black wires.

might actually make a DIY of it when i get around to doing it. If anyone is interested.

OK guys i had a go at it today and the STRANGEST THING happened.
I'll outline the steps i did so just double check i didnt make any errors.

1) prep cigarette lighter extension with fuse Tap. (positive side to wire tap and ground to car body)
2) remove fuse 23 from drivers side (ciggi fuse)
3) insert 15A fuse in slot 1 and 5A in slot 2 of fuse tap.
4) insert fuse tap with loaded fuses into fuse 23.
5) Ready to go.

Then i proceeded to plug in the dashcam to the car ciggi lighter, worked as usual.
But then when i pluged it into the newly added 5A circuit, power stays CONSTANTLY ON. Even when i remove key from ignition, the power is still there, hence dashcam stays on.

Why is this, why is it with 1 fuse in its spot it works perfectly but with a added fuse tap (hence 2 circuits) 1 works normally but the other has constant power....
Im confused. Can anyone shed any light on this?

Pictures speak louder.

Your explanation confusion

Don't know how I can possible attach a photo with what's happening. Should be pretty evident what I'm saying. Only thing I can think of is a hand drawn diagram.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/11/20/y9utevah.jpg

My best interpretation of the problem as a diagram

Can't understand. But simethjng went wrong somewhere

Just had a thought, if it was a 20A circuit to begin with, there is probably a relay controlling it. The fuse would be on the constant power to the relay(incase of a short) the ignition would be to another pin. Sorry I didn't think of that earlier man

I just wired mine on the weekend. I just used power from the interior light module, which happened to be right where i needed it up front on the euro. My camera takes 12v direct though. The 5v adapter you have should have its own fuse rated where it needs to be.

Which fuse # did you use? Does it power on and off with the car?

Yes and no. My camera has a parking mode, so needs constant 12v supply, i got this direct from the interior lights. I also installed a battery saver which also needs a signal only (low current) connection to acc. For this, I tapped into my auto dim mirror