subject: How To Build A Car Cigarette Circuit [print this page] Instructions Instructions
1
Look under the dashboard or center console of your car for the best place to install your cigarette lighter holder and case. Some vehicles already have an unused bracket specifically for cigarette lighter installation--you might have to look under the dashboard or center console. If there is no bracket installed, drill a couple of small holes to install the bracket to custom size under the dashboard.
2
Probe the fuse panel with a test light and search for a permanent hot wire. With the ignition switch off, probe each fuse terminal. When the test light comes on, you have found a permanent hot wire.
3
Disconnect the black, negative battery cable.
4
Dismount the fuse box using a Phillips screwdriver or ratchet and socket to have access to the back of the fuse panel and the hot wire you want to connect the cigarette lighter to.
5
Manually connect or solder a 12 or 14 gauge red insulated wire. Strip about 1/2 inch of insulation from both ends of the wire using wire stripper pliers and twist the exposed wire strands into a single thread to make the connection--make sure the wire is long enough to reach the mounted lighter unit.
6
Connect the wire, making sure the connection is away from other wires and possible grounds. Mount the fuse box back in its place.
7
Find a good chassis ground under the dashboard. Any available screw attached to the chassis or metal structure will do.
8
Cut a piece of 12 or 14 gauge black insulated wire long enough to reach from the ground point to the cigarette lighter.
9
Strip about 1/2 inch of insulation from both ends of the black wire using the same procedure described in Step 5 and connect one end to ground.
10
Connect or solder the other end of the red wire to the lighter heating element terminal and the other black wire end to the lighter housing terminal. Make sure both connections are secure and away from other wires and possible grounds.
11
Route both wires underneath and inside the dashboard area and secure them with plastic ties to a wiring bundle or chassis structure.
12
Connect the black, negative battery cable.
Tips & Warnings
You can buy a car cigarette lighter and related accessories at most auto parts stores.
