Anyone know how to install a second 12V car cigarette power outlet?

[iamtrout]

I've got two things that I was to run in my car; my inverter and my radar detector. Both run off of the cigarette lighter outlet. When I run them at the same time using a 1->4 adapter, however, the current draw from the inverter is so high that my radar detector gives me a "low voltage" error message whenever its hooked up at the same time as the inverter.

So I need to install a second 12V cigarette outlet.

How do I do this?

The easiest would be to splice into the wires already going into the existing 12V outlet, but will this configuration still cause the low voltage warning since the current draw is still on the same wire?

Any other methods of installing?

EDIT: I want two 12V outlets because one will be used solely for the inverter while the other will be used with a group of miscellaneous electronics (cell phone charger, radar detector, MP3 player, etc). So two seperate outlets are a must.

 

[PlatinumGold]

get an ac adapter for your radar detector and plug it into your inverter.

 

[iamtrout]

Good point, but I should have been more specific. Original message edited.

 

[cavemanmoron]

ever hear of Radio Shack?

They sell wore,fuses.soldering irons,and 12volt power outlets.

where do you live?

I could prob do it in an hour to 2 hours.

Go to a stereo shop if you can't use tools.

 

[iamtrout]

Let me consolidate this into one question:

Will I still get the low voltage warning if I splice directly into the wire leading into the existing outlet?

 

[drnickriviera]

Here's how i'd do it. Run one wire direct from the battery to your new outlet and use the old cig lighter to trip a relay, so that it is not always hot (unless that is what you want). Then you can have all the power you want and not worry with the other outlet at all.

 

[iamtrout]

Meh, I just went to the auto store, got a fuse tap, and now I'm running the extra outlet from a previously empty spot in the fuse box. Problem solved.

 

[Stojakapimp]

Just do what my friend did and install at 110 volt power outlet in your dashboard somewhere. That way you won't have to use some stupid cigarette lighter