Always Hot cigar lighter?

[Stevo]

The Dodge truck has a separate, always hot, cigarette lighter, which is handy for all of today's devices but not so with the MB. I was thinking of wiring up one but hate the thought of this thing dangling out of the glove box or sticking out from under the console, Any suggestions? Also that charging cord plug sticking up in front of the radio is a PIA.

[winmutt]

Just stick the charger and socket under the seat or in the kick panels and run the wire out.

[Stevo]

Yah, that would work, I was thinking, as many hours that I've worked on the glove box door alignment theres still room for a 18 gauge wire (12v plug) to come out with it shut. then the whole works could be stowed in the glove box when not in use or a battery could be charged out of sight. just trying to get some more ideas before I start running wire.

[vstech]

I wired in a fuse panel under the dash on my SD, I have several 12v sockets, and room for my inverter on it.
I've also connected a remote solenoid to the starter terminals, and routed a switch to it for those times it's difficult to start the car...
saved me plenty of headaches. one time the glow plug relay acted up, and I had to route the wires through the solenoid to keep the starter out of the circuit...
oh, uh, yeah... put in a 12v socket.

[vstech]

18ga is not much.
I use 10. gives more room for mistakes.

[Stevo]

Ah, Yes, I can see how #10 wire would be better, never know what kind of amperage might be required outa that plug. I was thinking just camera or GPS battery but who knows what someone might use that socket for in the future. I think my closed glove box door might accommodate more than #18.

I Like your solenoid set up also, thanks for the tip.

[Yak]

It probably depends on what device you plan on using. There's a oval grommet on the firewall below the battery. It's the one the A/C lines route through to get to the evaporator. You could fuse the line at the battery, route it through the firewall through the probably-degrading-anyway rubber in the grommet.

You could use that line to supply a receptacle in the glove box, or try for custom receptacle in or on the console. Amazon and ebay have some.

[Stevo]

Originally Posted by Yak

It probably depends on what device you plan on using. There's a oval grommet on the firewall below the battery. It's the one the A/C lines route through to get to the evaporator. You could fuse the line at the battery, route it through the firewall through the probably-degrading-anyway rubber in the grommet.

You could use that line to supply a receptacle in the glove box, or try for custom receptacle in or on the console. Amazon and ebay have some.

More good ideas. Think I'll go with a plug and a in line fuse for now just to handle the light draw items. I like the idea if coming through on the passenger side.