Alternate cigarette lighter plug

I’m looking to replace my multiple cigarette lighter plug needs.

I must have 8 different things that need to be plugged in. None pull a tremendous amount of amps. Maybe the Dewalt 20v battery car charger, it won’t charge if the engine isn’t running.

I’ve got a 4 port adapter that works ok but nothing wants to stay connected. I’ve got to constantly push them back in to get them to connect. Then if I need something that isn’t currently connected I gotta unplug something and plug it in. I’m pretty much fed up with all that.

What would be ideal is a panel with a bunch of female outlets, cut off all my cigarette lighter plugs and use a male plug of some sort.

I’ve considered using a bunch of regular spade or bullet connectors but that would look messy. Or maybe just use a 110v power strip and male plugs. But that’s an accident waiting to happen if something gets plugged into the wrong thing. Or a bunch of noco comfort connectors but that could get expensive.

Im curious if anyone has come up with something different.

$14 Wagan 4-Way 12V Automotive Socket Splitter and Extender, Cigarette Power Splitter

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0009JB7GI?ie=UTF8&th=1

$22 NOCO GC004 X-Connect 10-Foot Extension Cable Accessory Genius Smart Battery Chargers

https://www.amazon.com/NOCO-GC004-1...2750207&sprefix=noco+comfort+,aps,181&sr=8-25

 

what devices do you have?

and what considerations are you taking into account that requires a ruggedized, heavy duty, weatherproof, proprietary, connector style to replace that?

 

Rugged & heavy duty yeah. Proprietary not necessary.

A couple different cordless tool battery chargers, a couple jump starter packs, a few different rechargeable lights, a small inverter, three for two different phones and a tablet and a dash mounted solar charger. The solar charger is the only one I would consider doing away with, it barely helps. Everything else is used constantly. Added up it comes to 12.

More than the average person needs to drive down the road, it’s a work truck. The dirt dust and spilled stuff seems to get everywhere.

 

So I was going to recommend something like this tapped into the 12V supply:



https://www.truemods.com/ols-pszacceps152s-3-port-cigar-lighter-adapter-outlet-box-pszacceps152s

But then I realized that you're probably better off looking more for just have straight 120 in the car available to you. Something like a high output inverter that is wired in:

https://www.powerinverters.com/coll...5000-watt-power-inverter-12-dc-to-110-ac-volt

 

The whole cigarette lighter adapter thing I see a lack of evolution. Cars no longer come with an ash tray but still have a cigarette lighter. So everyone sell’s what they call a mobile or car charger with their male thing you plug into the female cigarette lighter port. The problem is they don’t fit good, don’t provide a good solid connection, work themselves loose, and need to be fiddled with to reconnect. I’m trying to get away from the entire cigarette lighter adapter plan.

Your suggestions are appreciated.

The 3 port adapter is similar to the 4 port adapter I already have. Mine came with a male cigarette lighter plug which constantly would work itself loose. So I hard wired it in so it’s always on. It gives me less problems hard wired but it’s still far from good.

I’ve considered going the big inverter route. But only 2 of the 12 devices would be able to charge off it, I couldn’t justify the cost.

I was kinda hoping someone else has become frustrated like me having to constantly unplug plug back in the cigarette lighter plug in hopes it reconnects.

Another thing I was considering is utility plugs. They’re similar to a 110v plug but slightly different, like what you find on a computer.

 

i think you're somewhat on your own in terms of options that work how you use your truck. i haven't run across anyone that runs a similar setup, being powered entirely by the truck.

i understand you're basically looking for something like this, but for 12v power, and a more reliable power connection



there is this fused version for 12v

$75 Chunzehui F-1008 Horizontal 9 Port 40A Connector Power Splitter Distributor Source Strip, 1 Input and 8 Output.

https://www.amazon.com/Chunzehui-Horizontal-Connector-Splitter-Distributor/dp/B078N343XK/

or this is more like you're thinking, with separate switches for each output to turn them on/off, but this is the only iteration i can find, and has 8 outputs.

$98 OONO 8 Channel Connector Power Splitter Distributor Source Strip, with 8 Independent Control Switch, Black

https://www.amazon.com/Channel-Connector-Splitter-Distributor-Independent/dp/B09CPPYG4L

personally, i'd probably use something like this, change the radio for a 1 din model, and then fab the blank 1din spot under the radio to hold this switch panel to allow easy access to the power pole connectors, as well as the switches to change between different features. but i'm an integration snob...

there's this a 12 channel splitter

$43 Chunzehui F-1012 12-Position 45A Power Distribution Block Module, Connector Power Splitter Distributor Source Strip.

https://www.amazon.com/Chunzehui-12-Position-Distribution-Connector-Distributor/dp/B07KSQ93XK

i'm familiar with the powerpoles-- i've used them for a decade back when i was really deep into r/c vehicles(low voltage, high current), and they're extremely common for commercial snow plow setups. Boss snow plows use a larger version of that connector exclusively for the 150A main power for all their electrically-powered plows and spreader boxes, with very few issues.

my next thought is really to use one of the switch panels like this.

$110 MICTUNING P1s RGB 5" 12 Gang Switch Panel, High Power 6 Level Brightness Multifunction Toggle Switch Momentary Circuit Control Relay System Box for Truck RV Offroad Marine, w/Silicone Cover

https://www.amazon.com/MICTUNING-Brightness-Multifunction-Momentary-Warranty/dp/B0C3CJX19B

personally, i'd look further into the 'overlanding' electrical stuff-- that's where more people are going to be looking for similar needs to be controlling many electrical items easily 'off the grid' with a 12v source. but integration into the truck is always going to be the most difficult part.

 

@soundman98

Thanks, I’ll look into the power pole type. I was looking at the Anderson style last night. Even the smallest 50a seem overkill big.