Fitting an accessory socket (cigarette lighter) in the boot

[nickhalluk]

Ok, I'm off comping in the summer and have various electrical goods that I'll be taking with me, e.g. digital camera, laptop, portable fridge, etc. I have a power inverter (cigi to 3pin adaptor) for my stuff and the fridge is 12v anyway, but my 52 plate Clio only has one cigarette lighter, up front...

I want to fitting an accessory socket (cigarette lighter) in the boot, but where do i get the power from?. I have two thoughts on this:

1. There is a courtesy light in the boot, I could run a live from this to power the socket

2. Run a new wire directly from the battery, with an in line fuse to the socket.
​

What do people think of these options, or am I missing some third, obvious option?, is there already a wiring loom I can tap into?

 

[Mark One]

The courtesy light is only on when the doors are open? isnt that going to cause issues there?
I'd run another cable personally (option 2)

 

[Terry172]

2nd option

 

[Beef-Mc]

Buy a multi socket adaptor for the front cigarette lighter.

 

[nickhalluk]

The courtesy light is only on when the doors are open? isnt that going to cause issues there?

A mate pointed that out to me too, but, the light is earthed by a door pin, when to boot/door opens the pin earths and completes the circuit, turning the light on. if I earth the socket directly and just steel the live from the light this shouldn't be a problem. my concern with this is if the wire for the light will be up for the power... but option 2 has the pain of ripping up carpets and running wires, mmm decisions decisions

 

[msa197]

3. hire a small generator!

 

[Terry172]

The courtesy light is only on when the doors are open? isnt that going to cause issues there?

A mate pointed that out to me too, but, the light is earthed by a door pin, when to boot/door opens the pin earths and completes the circuit, turning the light on. if I earth the socket directly and just steel the live from the light this shouldn't be a problem. my concern with this is if the wire for the light will be up for the power... but option 2 has the pain of ripping up carpets and running wires, mmm decisions decisions

I doubt the light feed will be enough as correct me if I am wrong....isn't the light about 5V feed and the cigarette socket 12V?...

 

[Da]

Don't tap into the courtesy light, you'll probably blow the fuse.

The only real way to do it is with a new feed from either the cig lighter in the cabin or to run a separate feed direct from the battery with an inline fuse as you say.

Is the inverter powerful enough to power all your appliances?

 

[nickhalluk]

Is the inverter powerful enough to power all your appliances?

probably not, but most of the campsites we'll be staying at have power huck-up so wont really be using it much, but we're doing A LOT of driving about, so its a nice thing to have just in case. The main reason i want the socket in the back is so I can put the mini fridge in there so there will be some cold beers ready for when we arrive at the campsites after a long days driving

not to hi-jack my own thread, but does anybody know if its possible to adjust the headlights for driving on the wrong side of the road without using those stickers?