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Tapping power from Cigarette lighter?

Discussion in '3rd Gen. Tacomas (2016-2023)' started by apriliaalex, Feb 2, 2023.

  1. Feb 2, 2023 at 8:16 PM
    #1
    apriliaalex

    apriliaalex [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Hi all, How have you tapped power from your cigarette lighter? I was hoping there was an aftermarket dongle or harness available to plug into the back of the lighter then plug the harness into that. Is there any other behind dash power source that people are using with a plug and play harness? I try to not ever cut wires in a car if I don’t absolutely have to.
    Thanks!
     
  2. Feb 2, 2023 at 8:18 PM
    #2
    shotgunbilly420

    shotgunbilly420 OG Owner 230k+mi club/Tacoma enthusiast

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  3. Feb 2, 2023 at 8:19 PM
    #3
    shotgunbilly420

    shotgunbilly420 OG Owner 230k+mi club/Tacoma enthusiast

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    I'm also interested. If mod requires cutting wires , yah that's a no go for me.
     
  4. Feb 2, 2023 at 9:55 PM
    #4
    shakerhood

    shakerhood Well-Known Member

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    The truck is pre-wired for trailer brake controller, so you could grab the hot wire from it if you dont plan on using it for towing.
     
  5. Feb 3, 2023 at 2:25 AM
    #5
    TexasWhiteIce

    TexasWhiteIce Well-Known Member

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    where is this?
     
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  6. Feb 3, 2023 at 2:33 AM
    #6
    MNMLST

    MNMLST Well-Known Member

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    tinfoil lined cab runflat headlights pee-thru seats
  7. Feb 3, 2023 at 4:23 AM
    #7
    shotgunbilly420

    shotgunbilly420 OG Owner 230k+mi club/Tacoma enthusiast

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    Ok where
     
  8. Feb 3, 2023 at 4:59 AM
    #8
    MNMLST

    MNMLST Well-Known Member

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    Depends what you want it to do and what sort of current you expect to draw…

    look at the handy chart on the fuse panel lid(s).
     
  9. Feb 3, 2023 at 5:24 AM
    #9
    Homiec

    Homiec Well-Known Member

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    You could use a posi-tap which doesn't hack the wiring as badly as a t-tap.
     
  10. Feb 3, 2023 at 5:28 AM
    #10
    Clearwater Bill

    Clearwater Bill Never answer an anonymous letter

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    How difficult is access to the back of the power outlet in a 3rd gen would be the first consideration. In a 2nd gen it's quite the ordeal.

    Since these outlets are keyed power (not constant) will that meet your design need for the new use of that circuit?
     
  11. Feb 3, 2023 at 5:31 AM
    #11
    FishaRnekEd

    FishaRnekEd Well-Known Member

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    You could run power right from the battery and just tap a relay to the cigarette lighter (as an automatic on when the key is in). I think the cigarette lighter is only a 10a fuse.

    That way, you are only tapping into one wire. You could run the power to its own fuse panel and hook up all kinds of shit if you wanted, get 30a rated wire/relay and fuses below 30a.

    This way, it could easily be undone and removed, without effing with the factory harness.
     
  12. Feb 3, 2023 at 5:32 AM
    #12
    FishaRnekEd

    FishaRnekEd Well-Known Member

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    the one in the bed?

    it can be reached from underneath the truck in a 2nd gen.
     
  13. Feb 3, 2023 at 5:33 AM
    #13
    Clearwater Bill

    Clearwater Bill Never answer an anonymous letter

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    The two in the dash.
     
  14. Feb 3, 2023 at 5:37 AM
    #14
    virginiamarine

    virginiamarine Well-Known Member

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    as @MNMLST has posted an add a fuse/add a tap is easy to do without messing with wiring. If you do a quick search on DVR add a tap or something like that you will see there are diagrams for adding this fuse line to the mini fuse box on the 3rd gen left side of drive side next to ODBII port. It's real easy to simply pull the oem fuse, plug this one in and add a 2nd fuse as posted on his pic.
    I have this exact setup for my DVR and it turns on and off with the vehicle.
     
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  15. Feb 3, 2023 at 5:48 AM
    #15
    apriliaalex

    apriliaalex [OP] Well-Known Member

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  16. Feb 3, 2023 at 5:53 AM
    #16
    apriliaalex

    apriliaalex [OP] Well-Known Member

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    It is very easy. 1 screw under the corner dash on the drivers side. Pull the vent dash section off. Pull the climate control unit out. (Yes they both just pull out, no screws) Reach behind. The hardest part is getting the lighter socket out. Two push pins inside the socket release the inner socket from the outer socket. Pressure on the outer socket locks it all in there. Took me about 4 minutes to figure that out but could understand why some people can’t figure it out.
     
  17. Feb 3, 2023 at 5:54 AM
    #17
    MNMLST

    MNMLST Well-Known Member

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    tinfoil lined cab runflat headlights pee-thru seats
    •tap into the fuse panel on the drivers side
    •screw the doohickey to something nearby
    •run some long power cables up and over
     
  18. Feb 3, 2023 at 5:56 AM
    #18
    apriliaalex

    apriliaalex [OP] Well-Known Member

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    That could be the best way to do it. I just didn’t want to have to pull stuff apart to hide wires and such. What fuse in there would you tap for a cell phone charger?
     
  19. Feb 3, 2023 at 6:05 AM
    #19
    MNMLST

    MNMLST Well-Known Member

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    tinfoil lined cab runflat headlights pee-thru seats
    with some creative yoga and a ‘fishing wire’ you should be able to get over the steering column and behind the dash without taking much apart. make sure to zip tie your final bundle so it doesn’t fall down around your feet or rub on anything (there’s all sorts of places). I’d just tap into an accessory fuse, like the radio, or….




    just quit messing around and put a 3000W inverter under the passenger seat

    3A6A9581-15DF-4A50-A371-3961F686DF20.jpg
     
  20. Feb 3, 2023 at 6:15 AM
    #20
    Tacospike

    Tacospike Semi-Unknown Custodial Member

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    I posi-tap, duo tap, or solder. Not difficult at all and once you get over splicing wires, your world opens up a bit more.
     
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