12V Cig Socket Socket Etc.

Having done a search, and not finding much, I had to make a thread (sorry )

Where do I get these from?
Any difference in brands?
How much?
Hard to wire, or is it just a case of wiring straight off the battery?

Cheers, David.

[rictus01]

Er yes quite a difference, depends on what you want it for really, waterproof or not?, temp fitment or leaving it there ?

you can either get something to fit temp to charge Phone/satnav and remove once the trip is over, in which case direct to the battery is fine (it's what I do), but if you are leaving it on it needs to be ignition controlled (so not on all the time) and wisdom says it should be fused as well.

Most camping/caravan shops do them as do maplins.

Cheers Mark.

Charging phone, has to come with a cig lighter.
Thats my only needs, whats the problem with being wired directly?
Won't drain the battery will it?

Cheers, David.

[timwilky]

my lighter socket is taken from a relay off ignition switch, so has enough juice to run airbed pump etc. but is usually just for gps

Would just be used for certain trips, wouldn't be on the bike permantly.

Wiring straight off the battery without a fuse ok?

David.

[yorkie_chris]

I'd use a fuse anyway just in case.

Wire it straight to battery, it will only drain it if you leave something plugged in.

I've just fitted one of these to my Versys.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...m=270382059989

I mounted it in the dash surround on the left side and will use it to power an airbed pump and charge my phone. Connecting it up is a doddle - you need 17A cable in red and black, insulating tape, some heat-shrink tubing, a fuseholder rated at above 10A, a 10A fuse, female spade terminals and two ring terminals for the battery.

I'll post a couple of pics tomorrow

I don't quite understand why you would have it wired through the ignition if it is only to power an ancillary piece of removeable equipment.I can understand heated grips being wired through the ignition but for a phone,shaver or GPS which you would not leave on the bike puzzles me
The advantage of having it as a direct fused connection direct to the battery is that you can use it for an OPTIMATE or charging device and still have all the other uses without needing to leave your keys in the ignition switched on resulting in possible coil damage for one.
A gps or phone would take for ever to discharge your battery as they are such a low power drain.

Wouldn't be leaving any device plugged in tbh.

Should scrounge around fleabay etc.
Thanks for the posts, still a bit confused though.

[embee]

Really must have a fuse, even a bike battery will turn your average wiring harness into a one-bar electric fire if you get a short somewhere.

The ebay link looks a decent example. I fitted a "Sutar" marine spec one from Maplins to my other bike, but they've stopped stocking them (seen them on ebay though).

Some folks have used genuine BMW car sockets, amazingly they can be got for only a few quid from BMW dealerships, nice hinged cover like that ebay one. Be aware that BMW bikes usually use DIN size sockets, which are smaller than your standard car ciggy lighter socket.