MNlotus Posted September 26, 2009 Share Posted September 26, 2009 i got a radar detector for my car and have the cigarette lighter to power it. the lighter has a hook up for ground and +12v. i want to know what all the fuses are for on the fuse block, and which ones are safe to tap into and wont affect anything else. i have a 2003 caterham super seven dedion with a 2.0 zetec engine. the bottom two fuses turn on and off with the ignition so would either of these work? if not, which would work? also for the ground wire, is it ok to use the chassis as a ground? can i just use the bolt for the windshield/windkick? i found that to be a ground with my test light. there are pics of the fuse box and cig lighter in this thread........ http://www.usa7s.com/vb/showthread.php?t=4072&page=3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catracer Posted September 26, 2009 Share Posted September 26, 2009 MN, I'd run a dedicated circuit for the lighter, just incase it ever gets used as, well, a lighter. Just a straight run of 12 ga from the battery +12V through a 15 or 20 amp in-line fuse holder to the lighter then to ground. The windscreen fixing is adequatefor the ground. Try to use ring terminals and solder at battery and ground. Best to Solder and shrink all the other connections. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MNlotus Posted September 26, 2009 Author Share Posted September 26, 2009 thanks i guess ill do that. what the best way to connect the 12 gauge wire to the positive battery terminal, and whats the best way to connect the ground wire to the bolt? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MNlotus Posted September 27, 2009 Author Share Posted September 27, 2009 actually thats what i didnt want to do. i want the detector to turn on and off with the ignition so im going to have to tap it off of something that does that Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catracer Posted September 27, 2009 Share Posted September 27, 2009 Well you could use a relay then to handle any high amperage load that might be present. Understand the detector does not draw much, but at some point someone will try and use it for their mobile coffee pot, mobile air compressor, cigar, something. Guess you could alway wire it in without the lighter connection to a switched circuit. If so, pretty easy to tap directly off the ignition switch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MNlotus Posted September 27, 2009 Author Share Posted September 27, 2009 so i can tap a relay for a +12v source? which relay would be a good one to tap that turns on and off with the ignition? it says on the relay which wire is the +12 right? And also how should i tap it (what connector should i use to go from the realy to the wire) Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taber10 Posted September 28, 2009 Share Posted September 28, 2009 MNLotus, I rarely post here, but there are times when I can't keep myself quiet: I have nearly 30 years experience as a Safety Officer, researching how, when and why things went wrong after the damage is assessed.... You need to go back to your other thread, and read scannon's advice again, this time with an open mind. And again, no disrespect intended, trying to be helpful, but if you can't pick out a hot wire, switched or unswitched, a proper connector, etc. you should be very careful working on your electrical system. And everyone else should be very careful trying to give you pointers that could lead you to a potentially expensive mistake. Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MNlotus Posted September 29, 2009 Author Share Posted September 29, 2009 alright then where should i take it to get it done? theres really no where to take it. am i just SOL or what? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catracer Posted September 29, 2009 Share Posted September 29, 2009 MN, Suggest you do a quick search for any import repair shop, restoration shop or race prep shop nearby. Here's one in Princeton, MN (don't know anything about them). http://www.davenportracingusa.com Good luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WestTexasS2K Posted September 30, 2009 Share Posted September 30, 2009 Try a car stereo instillation shop. Those boys can find you a place to wire it in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MNlotus Posted September 30, 2009 Author Share Posted September 30, 2009 i guess ill try the local stereo installation shop that put the speakers in my lotus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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