Maximum Amperage Through Cigarette Lighter

this_is_nascar · 07-11-2008, 07:48 PM

I've searched, but have been unsuccessful. What's the maximum amperage draw you can have using the cigarette lighter port? Can it handle something that will draw 20-25 AMPS?

chris4x4 · 07-11-2008, 08:08 PM

I think it has a 5 amp fuse. Being as it is souronded by plastic, Im not sure it would be a good idea to run more current to it.

altifron · 07-11-2008, 08:22 PM

do you plan on cooking a chicken in your truck

altifron · 07-11-2008, 08:27 PM

at most i think it can only handel 12 volts 10 amps but i think you can change the fuse to 20 amp not certin is this for your audio ?
try one of these

this_is_nascar · 07-11-2008, 08:41 PM

No. Actually, I want to use it for a small 100-watt linear amplifier for my CB. Although the specs of the amp are unclear to me at this point, I do know that it has a 12-amp fuse. Yes, I know the "normal/recommended" method is to come straight from the battery, however I was hoping this was small enough to run it right from the cigarette plug.

MikeS. · 07-11-2008, 09:48 PM

I don't think so. I ran a seperate circuit using 8ga wire for my 250 watt amp, That was a bit of overkill though.

pb2themax · 07-12-2008, 01:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by this_is_nascar

No. Actually, I want to use it for a small 100-watt linear amplifier for my CB. Although the specs of the amp are unclear to me at this point, I do know that it has a 12-amp fuse. Yes, I know the "normal/recommended" method is to come straight from the battery, however I was hoping this was small enough to run it right from the cigarette plug.

Naw. Just do it the right way. Run a dedicated power wire.

this_is_nascar · 07-12-2008, 06:47 AM

OK, thanks. I figured it would come down to that, but thought I'd ask. Now I have to find a way to get the wire (I'm going to use 10-gauge) thru the firewall.

chris4x4 · 07-12-2008, 06:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by this_is_nascar

OK, thanks. I figured it would come down to that, but thought I'd ask. Now I have to find a way to get the wire (I'm going to use 10-gauge) thru the firewall.

There are a few unused rubber gromets in the fire wall and under the cab that you can shove a wire thru. I run my wire along the inside of the frame, then into the cab from underneith it. Keeps me from haveing to take too much of the interior apart to run wire under the carpet.

this_is_nascar · 07-12-2008, 06:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chris4x4

There are a few unused rubber gromets in the fire wall and under the cab that you can shove a wire thru. I run my wire along the inside of the frame, then into the cab from underneith it. Keeps me from haveing to take too much of the interior apart to run wire under the carpet.

Thanks. That's a good point that I had forgotten about. I already have my antenna coax coming up under my rear passenger side floor gromet, so I'll look for one on the other rear side. I know it not good to have the amp power too close to the coax, otherwise I'd use the same hole.

chris4x4 · 07-12-2008, 07:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by this_is_nascar

Thanks. That's a good point that I had forgotten about. I already have my antenna coax coming up under my rear passenger side floor gromet, so I'll look for one on the other rear side. I know it not good to have the amp power too close to the coax, otherwise I'd use the same hole.

There is another gromet on the driver side, under the driver seat. The wireing for the trialer power/lights goes thru it. Maybe that would work?

this_is_nascar · 07-12-2008, 07:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chris4x4

There is another gromet on the driver side, under the driver seat. The wireing for the trialer power/lights goes thru it. Maybe that would work?

I'll check it out. If that's the case, I'd probably just leave the amp under the seat and reach under when I wanted to turn it on.

N3VMM164 · 07-12-2008, 07:38 AM

your best bet is run two wires(black and red 12 or 10 gauge) thru the firewall (existing holes work) run them to the battery. Where you put a fuse on each post connection as accessories attach the wires and wa la you have a ground fused ground and a fused hot wire. I went further and bought a MFJ power port which has 3 posts that are regulated and 3 post that are unregulated power going to them. I have it under the drivers seat and it is also grounded the the frame and seat. I'm going to upgrade to a larger one in the future. I have a Vertex Low Band Mobile, Motorola Maxtrac High Band, Radio Shack Mobile Scanner installed. Also I installed my Streamlight Rechargable Flashlight next to the drivers seat. More items to follow. Oh yeah I also have a three way lighted accesory outlet w/on/off switch for my Blue Strobe Light. and everything is on this circut no power is drawn due to the installation of a power distrubution switch. I'll get pics of everytnig latter on. Have a fun weekend

JWWPHOTO · 07-12-2008, 11:09 AM

Why would you not run power directly from a powerblock or from your battery?

JW

j4x4ar3 · 07-12-2008, 02:31 PM

The cigarette lighter can't be used as a power port in that manor. You need to run your CB amp off the power port instead. You can put up to a 120W inverter in that port (with the engine running) without any problems. Anything more than that you risk draining your battery really quickly as well as possible heat meltdown of the plug and or wires connecting to the plug.

07-11-2008, 07:48 PM	#1
this_is_nascar Junior Member Joined: Nov 2007, #3355 Location: Gloucester Hts, NJ Age: 47 Posts: 10 2007 TRD Off-Road 2007 Access Cab Automatic	Maximum Amperage Through Cigarette Lighter I've searched, but have been unsuccessful. What's the maximum amperage draw you can have using the cigarette lighter port? Can it handle something that will draw 20-25 AMPS?

07-11-2008, 08:08 PM	#2
chris4x4 Western Aliance: Fix it Division Joined: May 2008, #6497 Location: Tempe ,Az Posts: 4,676 2007 PreRunner 2007 Double Cab Automatic 1GR-FE (4.0 V6) OME 885's, OME shocks, Total Chaos UCA's, TSB springs with AAL, 5100 rear shocks, custom built fuel tank skid plate	I think it has a 5 amp fuse. Being as it is souronded by plastic, Im not sure it would be a good idea to run more current to it. __________________ The simplest solutions are often the most clever..............they are also usually wrong.

07-12-2008, 07:38 AM	#13
N3VMM164 North East PA Junior TACO Member Joined: Jan 2008, #4274 Location: Bloomsburg,Columbia County,Pennsylvania Age: 43 Posts: 21 2007 Double Cab Short Bed TRD White 2007 Double Cab Automatic V-6 secondary air filter removal, TSB work on Rear Springs,Added MFJ Power Strip for scanner,low band radio,high band radio , Hi-Lift Jack install in bed ,portable battery system for portable radio,rear window stickers,Tonneu Masters Tonneu Cover,	your best bet your best bet is run two wires(black and red 12 or 10 gauge) thru the firewall (existing holes work) run them to the battery. Where you put a fuse on each post connection as accessories attach the wires and wa la you have a ground fused ground and a fused hot wire. I went further and bought a MFJ power port which has 3 posts that are regulated and 3 post that are unregulated power going to them. I have it under the drivers seat and it is also grounded the the frame and seat. I'm going to upgrade to a larger one in the future. I have a Vertex Low Band Mobile, Motorola Maxtrac High Band, Radio Shack Mobile Scanner installed. Also I installed my Streamlight Rechargable Flashlight next to the drivers seat. More items to follow. Oh yeah I also have a three way lighted accesory outlet w/on/off switch for my Blue Strobe Light. and everything is on this circut no power is drawn due to the installation of a power distrubution switch. I'll get pics of everytnig latter on. Have a fun weekend __________________ Dennis W Nichols Ham Radio Operator/APRS Volunteer FF/Emt Training Officer Columbia County Rescue Task Force (Search & Rescue Team) Life Member National Eagle Scout Assn. Life Member North American Hunting Club Member NRA Quote of the day " ARE WE HAVING FUN YET"

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07-11-2008, 08:22 PM	#3
altifron Member Joined: Jul 2008, #7681 Location: toronto,ontario(G.T.A) Posts: 50 07 access cab 2007 Access Cab Automatic 4.0 dtrl mod	do you plan on cooking a chicken in your truck

07-11-2008, 08:27 PM	#4
altifron Member Joined: Jul 2008, #7681 Location: toronto,ontario(G.T.A) Posts: 50 07 access cab 2007 Access Cab Automatic 4.0 dtrl mod	at most i think it can only handel 12 volts 10 amps but i think you can change the fuse to 20 amp not certin is this for your audio ? try one of these

07-11-2008, 08:41 PM	#5
this_is_nascar Junior Member Joined: Nov 2007, #3355 Location: Gloucester Hts, NJ Age: 47 Posts: 10 2007 TRD Off-Road 2007 Access Cab Automatic	No. Actually, I want to use it for a small 100-watt linear amplifier for my CB. Although the specs of the amp are unclear to me at this point, I do know that it has a 12-amp fuse. Yes, I know the "normal/recommended" method is to come straight from the battery, however I was hoping this was small enough to run it right from the cigarette plug.

07-11-2008, 09:48 PM	#6
MikeS. Senior Member Joined: Jun 2008, #7207 Location: Far Eastern WVa Posts: 289 2008 DC LB 4x4 in Speedway Blue. 2008 Double Cab Automatic V-6 Undercover bed topper, Nerf style step bars, Python alarm, Ham radio with 250 watt amp and chrome wheel well bling.	I don't think so. I ran a seperate circuit using 8ga wire for my 250 watt amp, That was a bit of overkill though.

07-12-2008, 06:47 AM	#8
this_is_nascar Junior Member Joined: Nov 2007, #3355 Location: Gloucester Hts, NJ Age: 47 Posts: 10 2007 TRD Off-Road 2007 Access Cab Automatic	OK, thanks. I figured it would come down to that, but thought I'd ask. Now I have to find a way to get the wire (I'm going to use 10-gauge) thru the firewall.

07-12-2008, 11:09 AM	#14
JWWPHOTO Junior Member Joined: Jun 2008, #7162 Location: Westlake, Louisiana Posts: 25 2008 Tacoma Pre-Runner w/ TRD packag 2008 Double Cab Automatic	Why would you not run power directly from a powerblock or from your battery? JW

07-12-2008, 02:31 PM	#15
j4x4ar3 Senior Member Joined: Feb 2008, #4725 Age: 40 Posts: 156 05 DC 4x4 - TRD Off Road - White 2005 Double Cab Automatic 4.0L Round Step Bars, Bed Mat, Cargo Bars w/Thules ski and bike attachments, JVC MP3 Head Unit, TRD Cat Back Exhaust, more when $$$ allows	The cigarette lighter can't be used as a power port in that manor. You need to run your CB amp off the power port instead. You can put up to a 120W inverter in that port (with the engine running) without any problems. Anything more than that you risk draining your battery really quickly as well as possible heat meltdown of the plug and or wires connecting to the plug.