How to Hard Wire Accessories via Cig Lighter
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Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
From: NY
How to Hard Wire Accessories via Cig Lighter
Looking for some help with accessories. I have accessories that need a cigarette lighter socket to plug into. Can I buy the female end cig lighter socket somewhere to hard wire into the bike?
I tried hard wiring the accessories directly into the hot battery terminal, but they melted. The plug actually reduces the voltage from 12v to 4v. So I need to plug the accessory into a cig lighter socket.
Also would I hard wire the cig lighter socket directly into the hot battery lead or should I wire it into thinner wires like the tail light?
I tried hard wiring the accessories directly into the hot battery terminal, but they melted. The plug actually reduces the voltage from 12v to 4v. So I need to plug the accessory into a cig lighter socket.
Also would I hard wire the cig lighter socket directly into the hot battery lead or should I wire it into thinner wires like the tail light?
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 752
Likes: 23
From: Acton, CA
I did this with a $15 Bell lighter socket from Autozone. I think I wired it to the running amber running lights, so it's only on when the bikes on. Attached it to the right-side frame upright (for easy access when the bike's parked), and has been working great since I added it in 2010. It has a spring loaded lid (which I painted black), so when not in use, stays sealed. Can't tell it's there as it blends right in with the black frame.
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,557
Likes: 6
From: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Mounted it under my seat and inserted a dual USB port plug in adapter.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Black-Plasti...vip=true&rt=nc
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Black-Plasti...vip=true&rt=nc
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,557
Likes: 6
From: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Mounted it under my seat and inserted a dual USB port plug in adapter.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Black-Plasti...vip=true&rt=nc
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Black-Plasti...vip=true&rt=nc
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Road Warrior
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,988
Likes: 17
From: Between Fort Worth and Wichita Falls Texas
HD makes or has available one that plugs right into the accessory plug found behind the right side cover or under the seat. I installed it on mine on that right side cover. Works great.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2014
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From: UK
If the reason your previous one melted was because it needs 4-5V and is a USB adaptor plugged into a cigarette lighter socket, you can get dual weatherproof USB sockets that do the voltage conversion etc. I have one hard wired to my battery and routed to the bars. It's perfect for plugging iPhones and stuff into.
The benefit of a cig lighter socket is you can use it to power stuff like tire inflators from as well. But if it's USB you need, most of the cig lighter to USB adaptors are cheap chinese **** and will burn out regularly.
The benefit of a cig lighter socket is you can use it to power stuff like tire inflators from as well. But if it's USB you need, most of the cig lighter to USB adaptors are cheap chinese **** and will burn out regularly.
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