I'm going to be installing a Garmin KNA g510 this friday (hopefully). Unfortunately, it's going to be FREEZING, and I'm not usually one to wait for warmer weather.

The unit gets hardwired in. I need a switched 12 volt, and a constant 12 volt source.

I would like to wire this the right way when the weather warms.

But for now: I've come up with 3 solutions, and can't decide (Also, i'm not sure if there are more options...

1: Go to radioshack and buy cigarette lighter plugs... just wire the + leads to the unit, and run the power to the back.

2: Buy an add a circuit, tap into one of the factory fuses (which one do you think, and what size are our fuses? It's dark out...) for the switched 12 volt, and then just run the constant to the battery.

3: Tap into the cigarette lighter. I know many of you are doing this, but are you actually hacking into the wire, or is there a way to just steal the power (via a harness or clip or somethign) between the lighter and wire?

 

I know there is a part that taps int othe cig lighter thats how the MOPAR heated seat kit is powered.. now I dont know the part number but perhaps you can contact the manufacturer of the kit (I saw it either on this forum or the JeepForum) as to who makes that kit.. I always opt for any way not to hack the wiring when possible..
-Christopher

 

I used #3, you can buy a clamp at any local parts store like autozone, this will clamp over the power lead to the cig lighter and splice in the new wire. These are easy and do not cut the existing wire. There are many pics of these I will try and find one for you.

found it.....

 

How big are the power leads to the cigarette lighter? I've seen the wiretaps before, but have never used them...

 

I think the leads to the lighter sockets are 16 or 18 guage.........

 

I like using the posi taps. They are alot easier to use then the T taps.

 

So to tap into the driver side power source you just slide a posi-tap over the wire? Don't even have to strip it where you're attaching the positap? Then connect the wire you want powered to that?

What a great little gizmo. I'm going to have to get a few of those, thanks for the heads up.

 

I can't get the picture to copy but if you go to radioshack.com and do a search for cigarett lighter plug you can see a picture. You attach your wires to it and it just plugs into the cigarett lighter/power source without having to splice anything.
http://www.radioshack.com/search/ind...er%20plug&sr=1


This is the information on the product.

Vehicle Power Adapter Plug with Banana Jack
Model: 270-1521 | Catalog #: 270-1521

Use this vehicle power adapter plug to replace a faulty 12V DC adapter on a variety of small electro...

 

Is there a slit in the hot wire end to run the power wire through the connector?

 

Hmmm... this looks good. I'm curious though... Do you need to remove the hot wire at all? Or do you just slide the posi-tap on??? This could be a permanate solution....




EDIT: A little more research, and my own question is answered. The piece that connects to the hot slides right over the wire. It's a slit, not a hole. Now if I can find out exactly what guage wire the cigarette lighter is, I can have the posi-tap and their inline fuse holder overnighted!

So is it 16 or 18 guage????