Cig Lighter Alternative

[cmitchell5254]

I have some small accent lights I would like to rig up underneath the dash on the driver and passenger side. They're just cheap little lights, so they have a cig lighter plug-in. Naturally, I don't want to have to plug these in every time to use them directly into my exposed cig lighter....can someone recommend an alternative method of controlling these that wouldn't be too exposed?

My plan at the moment is to just run another cig lighter mounter underneath the dash that can be easily plugged in. I guess I could go to the trouble to rig up a switch or button, but I really just don't want to invest that much effort into this small detail.

[Mike Gerber]

You could also hardwire them up to any ignition switched 12 volt source. That way they will come on whenever you turn the car on. Just be sure to use an inline fuse if you do this. There is probably a fuse built in to the lighter plug. You can take that apart to see what ampereage fuse you need to install inline.

Mike

[Black95Cam]

i agreed with Mike.. i would too add a toggle switch or a switch of your choice so you can turn it on and off as you like..

[blitzer_26]

i did the exact same thing in my old car... blue light under all the feet, inc. the rear

Solution:
i just cut the lighter bit off,
attached as fuse to the positive (safety first) as the lighter bit has a fuse inside, cutting this off means you have no fuse...
hardwired them to the parker lights rather than the battery (safer/cleaner)
installed a switch this way you can have the option of on or off but they will only come on if the healights are on (when else would you need them but when its dark)

the only thing is you have to run the wire through the firewall (very easy)
you can alo use relays and such...but that require a little electronics knowlege
also mine got kicked/broken many-a-time, i recomend some sort of protection, clear PVC pipe or a lightweight grille....this will also help fixing them to the dash

hide all the wiring and it will come up nice...

keep us posted with pics etc...

just finished wiring my fog lights, the electronic cuircut should be the same

[touringcamry]

Personally, I would get one of those add-a-circuit taps and put it in the fuse box inside on the cig lighter circuit. Then I would wire the lights to that.

Another option would be to add T-taps to the back of the cig lighter and then wire the lights to that.

[Chris Crash]

I would just put a fuse in the wire, have a switch go to your dash, then hardwire to the cig lighter.

Or use a relay and piggy into some other fuse...like headlights or the cig lighter or seat warmer.