Cigerette lighter

[Specialbuoy]

I would like to install one as it didnt come as standard in my mini.

isit easy? How would I do it?

cheers

[jc1380s]

Hi Rhys

A Cigarette lighter as standard in a Mini!!!
What would the world be coming to!!!!!!!
You'll be wanting central locking next!!!!!

Fitting a cigarette or accessory socket is easy once you have decided on just how you want it to work.

Would you like it to be only powered when the ignition is on or do you need it to be powered with the ignition off? (All the time)

What are you mainly going to use it for - just lighting cigarettes or for powering accessories like mobile phone chargers, mp3's, Satnavs or Speed camera detecting.
They can even be used to power laptops, fans, car refrigerators or heaters. Anything that can run on 12VDC.
You can also get car powered inverters now that plug into your accessory socket and provide you with 240VAC mains voltage for powering houshold items (within reason!)

If you can answer some of these questions I can tell you the most suitable connection method for you.

jc

[danni432]

hey jc i was thinking of getting on in my car for the use of like charging things really or fans practically everything youve put up there.
maybe just to be used when the ignition is on?

how could on be put in the mini for this?

cheers! Danni

[jc1380s]

OK for a general purpose 'accessory' socket which is only on with the ignition you 1st have to identify which terminal of your main fuse box only becomes 'live' when the ignition is switched on and goes 'dead' when you turn it off.

Once you have found that, run a wire from there through a 25amp in-line fuse (can find them in most car shops) to the center terminal of the accessory socket the outer connection on the socket (normally black) should be connected to a good earth / the car bodywork.

Once you have got your accessory socket you will need to get single (red?) cable about the same size as on the center terminal of the socket to use from the fuse box and the in-line fuse.



Some accessory sockets / cigarette lighter sockets are illuminated and they will need a separate supply from the sidelights as well as the main supply.

If you want to use it for charging phones, mp3's and small items, you may find that wiring it from the ignitions accessory position or even having it permanently 'live' would be a better option.
What you really don't want to do is plug something 'big' into a permanently 'live socket and flatten your car battery!

Hope this makes sense!

Any questions - just ask!

jc

[biker]

although not having a mini at present i totally agree with what jc1380s said but thats only cause i ended up taking my bike down to him for him ti give me a hand to put one on he also gave me a hand o wire my towbar and my new brake light that displays a message when your not braking and most recently my spotlamps yes all this on a motor bike. so now you can see why he,s not got his mini on the road this year its because i,ve been keeping him to busy moding my bike (well somebody got to keep him busy)

[jc1380s]

Cheers 'Biker'!

Don't give all my secrets away!

I wouldn't want to work on any more "2 wheel wonders"!

and I do have a reputation to maintain you know!!!

;D ;D ;D

jc

[acidminis]

So do I jump up to number one spot ;D

[jc1380s]

Best you could ever manage is No.2 - after my mini

but only if it ever stops raining!!!!!

jc

[acidminis]

Second best, second best, second best!!!

At least the rain is making Gerty shine ;D

[taffy1967]

The only Mini to have a Cigar lighter (I'm posh) was the 1979 Mini Limited Edition that came in silver or rose metallic and had a centre console as standard, plus 1275GT clocks, interior and Clubman bumpers.

[jc1380s]

Well done Taffy, had forgotten about the Specials.

They were a very nice LE's and the trim level on those should have been kept as standard from then on (except for the Vinyl roofs maybe!!!) but cost was everything at that time.

jc