Can you straight wire a DC cord into fuse box?

[49erinnc]

My radar detector isn't cordless but I was wondering if it's possible to simply cut the cigarette lighter adapter off, exposing the wires and just running them into the cigarette lighter fuse? If so, is there anything one would need to know to do this? Any polarity requirements? Seems easy on the surface but I wasn't sure if the cigarette adapter had some sort of special coverter within it.

Thanks

 

[Colt45]

its possible there is a switcher or reg in the cig light plug, but not likely. If not you can run it straight to the fuse box, but dont get it backwards.

 

[I Saw OJ]

Might want to put a fuse in there, but other than that, it shouldnt be a problem. I had an electric cutout and a couple nitrous accessories hooked up to my cigg lighter in my old Z28.

 

[Linflas]

Back in the day the cigarette lighter circuit was the "go to" circuit for accessories. Just make sure you get the polarity right.

 

[iamwiz82]

You may even have one or two free AUX fuses in the fusebox.

 

[49erinnc]

Yea, I think I do have a couple AUX fuses. How do you know the polarity? From my recollection, there doesn't appear to be any markings within the fuse box.

 

[49erinnc]

Well, I snipped off the adapter and exposed the red and white wire. Ran each one directly into the cigarette lighter fuse holder, making sure there was good contact with the terminals. turned the key and nada. Can't get any power to the radar detector for some reason. The fuse isn't blown (even tried just straight in without a fuse) and I tried switching polarities.

I did take apart the cigarette adapter and noticed that there is a tube fuse inside. Looks like one of the wires was connected to a terminal that was in contact with the top of the fuse. Then the other wire just connected to one of the little metal conductors that spring out the sides of the adapter.

Any ideas on how I can get the power cord to work without the adapter?

 

[Dabappa]

It sounds like you ran both wires to the fuse holder, this will not make a complete circuit.

For most cars, you need to put the Positive (+) wire to the fuse holder and the Negative (-) to ground. Ground is usually to the chasis, look for a bare metal surface that connects to the frame/body anywhere under the dash.

You may want to add an in-line fuse depending on the device and set-up.


Good luck.