if i want to "tap" to a 12v source, do i just strip the wire from an existing 12v source?

[BlahBlahYouToo]

i want to hookup a remote turn on for an amp.
been doing some reading and some are suggesting to use the cigarette lighter.

so to "tap" into that source, do i just strip the positive wire and then attach my remote turn on wire?

or do i have it totally wrong?

 

[chorb]

I think that may be a bad idea, because your 12V source comes from the battery, and may not turn off even if the car is turned off; thus draining your battery if the amplifier pulls much current. Although, you say its just a "turn on" voltage so it may hardly pull any current. I'm not sure what the correct method of doing what your asking is but I'm pretty sure this isn't it.

 

[DeviousTrap]

You don't necessarily have to strip down the wire, but that's the gist of it. There are tons of safe electric connectors available that make the process much simpler. Here's one example.

If all that you need the wire for is a remote turn on switch then the cigarette lighter (if it's switched in your car) is a good choice, just don't use any type of wire tap for your actual constant 12v source for the amp.

 

[brblx]

if you don't have a remote wire (blue) coming out of your headunit (or are using a factory one), i would tap into the switched power for it. cig lighter might be on all the time, as others have said.

but yes, any switched 12v power source can be used to turn on the amp. it requires very little power.

 

[BlahBlahYouToo]

cig lighter is on only when car is on or acc.
that should be ok since my amp will be on whenever i'm driving anyway.

so to summarize... strip cig lighter, attach my remote wire to cig +12v, run to amp.

 

[zoiks]

Originally posted by: brblx
if you don't have a remote wire (blue) coming out of your headunit (or are using a factory one), i would tap into the switched power for it. cig lighter might be on all the time, as others have said.

but yes, any switched 12v power source can be used to turn on the amp. it requires very little power.

Yep. The remote wire takes very little power. Typically remote wires on car stereo harnesses are of very small diameter. Make sure that the cig lighter is switched.

 

[josh0099]

Originally posted by: BlahBlahYouToo
cig lighter is on only when car is on or acc.
that should be ok since my amp will be on whenever i'm driving anyway.

so to summarize... strip cig lighter, attach my remote wire to cig +12v, run to amp.

Thats not true on all cars, my car's cig ligher is on all the time...

 

[BlahBlahYouToo]

Originally posted by: josh0099

Originally posted by: BlahBlahYouToo
cig lighter is on only when car is on or acc.
that should be ok since my amp will be on whenever i'm driving anyway.

so to summarize... strip cig lighter, attach my remote wire to cig +12v, run to amp.

Thats not true on all cars, my car's cig ligher is on all the time...

i was talking about my car, which it's true for.

 

[LTC8K6]

Originally posted by: josh0099

Originally posted by: BlahBlahYouToo
cig lighter is on only when car is on or acc.
that should be ok since my amp will be on whenever i'm driving anyway.

so to summarize... strip cig lighter, attach my remote wire to cig +12v, run to amp.

Thats not true on all cars, my car's cig ligher is on all the time...

In my car, you can move a fuse to change that if you want.

 

[BlahBlahYouToo]

regardless, i installed an on/off switch. works great!

 

[natto fire]

A little too late for this now, but they make quick tap connectors that you put the wire you want to tap into it as well as the new wire and then clamp it down. No cutting or splicing required.