Cigarette power adapter splitter

[Dalwyn]

Quick question. I have two items that need power from the cigarette lighter, a dash cam and tpms monitor. Has anyone used a cigarette power adapter splitter? If so, which brand? I am trying to keep from having to hard wire the tpms monitor.

Thanks

[CRH]

I have a bunch of older vehicles with only one lighter socket. I use a splitter all the time. I just get whatever brand has the style and price I like.

[hickory]

Amazon is your friend.

Robot Check
Hickory

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by Dalwyn

Quick question. I have two items that need power from the cigarette lighter, a dash cam and tpms monitor. Has anyone used a cigarette power adapter splitter? If so, which brand? I am trying to keep from having to hard wire the tpms monitor.

You should already have no less than four 12v power sockets.
1 - in the pull-out cup holder in the center dashboard, power controlled by ignition key.
2 - closer to the floor, low center dashboard, always-on.
3 - base of the driver's seat near the parking brake lever, always-on.
4 - front overhead compartment above and behind driver, far left. Though this one might have gone away in newer models when they started mounting a blu-ray player up there. I think this one is powered by the house batteries, but haven't really checked because I've never used it while the vehicle was in motion.
I have a splitter just in case, but I've never needed it.

[Dalwyn]

Thanks for all the replies. I really need to get better acquainted with my vehicle. :-) Just as a side note I purchased the TST TPMS and Mike Benson was great to work with.

[Lumatic]

You can get a "cigarette lighter" type splitter/adapter at a good auto parts store. Most are fused at 5 amps. I changed the fuse to 10 amps so I could run my TV, no problems.

[splintair]

Originally Posted by Lumatic

You can get a "cigarette lighter" type splitter/adapter at a good auto parts store. Most are fused at 5 amps. I changed the fuse to 10 amps so I could run my TV, no problems.

The only problem with that is wiring overheating with higher amp fuse. Watch closely.

[InterBlog]

The T1N only has two of those outlets up front - one always-on in the dash next to the map holder, and the other in the traditional place in the ash tray. However, the ash tray outlet cannot be used whenever cups are present, as the cups block it from opening. As cups are present 100% of the time, it can never be used. One day I will find a workaround for this.

Meanwhile, this specific product was recommended... somewhere. Perhaps on WDYGFYTT. It's the one I use. Number one best seller, they say, for what that's worth.

http://www.amazon.com/Powerful-Omake.../dp/B00OZ5OIFE

[Lily&Me]

We bought one of these a number of years ago, when heading into the Rocky Mountains to boondock for several weeks, and it has worked well.

We charged the phone, IPsd, and sometimes the hand vac, all at the same time.

We did find out the hard way, tho, that leaving this plugged in will drain your battery pretty severely, so unplug when not in use.


Maggie

[m.hony]

Whatever they have at Walmart or auto parts stores or Radio Shack- 6 of one, half dozen of the other-

[Tan Son Nhut]

I bought mine at West Marine. It is very useful on the boat, TV and Airstream! It was NOT inexpensive!

[Lumatic]

Originally Posted by splintair

The only problem with that is wiring overheating with higher amp fuse. Watch closely.

The circuit is already fused to 20 amp at the distribution box so the wiring to the 12v outlet overheating is not an issue. I believe the wiring to the outlet is 12 gauge which can more than handle a 10 amp load. The wiring on my splitter is also #12 and I really only use half the splitter to run a inverter for my small flatscreen which draws less than 10 amps , but more than 5.

By the way calling those 12v outlets inside the coach "cigarette lighters" is a bad idea. People have put cigarette lighters into them and overloaded their wiring. It is only a 12 v outlet

[greghoro]

Originally Posted by Lumatic

By the way calling those 12v outlets in the coach "cigarette lighters" is a bad idea. People have put cigarette lighters into them and overloaded their wiring. It is only a 12 v outlet

Old habits die slowly.

While a cigarette lighter element may draw more current than the circuit can support (the circuit fuse should protect the wiring), the real danger of putting a lighter element in the 12V power receptacle comes from the heat it generates within the receptacle. Modern receptacles are usually made of plastic and are not designed to withstand the heat a lighter element generates that older metal based receptacles could. Note, this is not always the case. Hopefully your vehicle owners manual will clarify what can be used in the receptacle.

Greg

[Dalwyn]

Appreciate all info provided. I ordered one from Amazon and as soon as the temperature warms up intend to find all the outlets in my coach.

[Boxster1971]

Up front I use an adapter that has two extra 12v plugs and one USB plug. I added a duplex USB to one of the 12v plugs and wired in my TPMS display to the other 12v wires after cutting off the plug. It looks like this. It is only powered when key is on.


- - Mike
2013 Interstate Lounge EXT on 2012 Sprinter