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MG TD TF 1500 - gps/phone charge system

I've decided to take the plunge and convert to neg ground which doesn't to look terribly hard via the available instructions. At that point I will need a system to charge my gps and bluetooth PDA which carries all maps etc. plus at times a mobile phone. My question - can I simply install a cigarette lighter socket? Then plug in a multi adapter (to hold 2 plugs and maybe a usb port)? Do I need to put a fuse on the socket? If so what size? Am I running any risks here particularly with 2 items plugged in at once? OR is there a nicer cleaner option that somebody has done? Please bear in mind electrics are not my thing. All I really understand is that I don't want a fire! Thanks everybody once again. .... Chris
Chris Malcolm

Once you change to neg ground, just run two wires from the battery terminals to a dual plug outlet hidden up under the dash....
You could do that as well without changing polarity, but better not run the risk, even if they are plastic and not grounded...!!!
gblawson(gordon)

Gordon,
By "dual plug outlet" do you mean cigarette lighter socket? (told you I'm not too swift on electrics!) - and if that's the case (this sounds too easy) I don't need to change to neg ground, just run the wires directly to the socket? ... Chris
Chris Malcolm

Chris. and others. With a direct connection from the battery to the plug you are bypassing
all the the wiring harness, and can use the plugs even when the car is not in use.
I have mounted a lighter plug on the side of the toolbox for charging.
Thoralf, Norway TD 4490
Thoralf Sorensen

You mentioned you wanted two outlets...think there are mini power outlets with two sockets... thats what I meant.
You can leave it pos ground but the whole socket unit must be plastic with 'no' metal anywhere that might ground out on the car...

I have my heater wired directly to the battery...works fine and you can hear the fan so it gets turned off.

I had a neg ground radio also wired directly and insulated from the frame...however, a corner of the radio touched the emergency brake and I lost all the smoke out of my wires....near fire!!!!
gblawson(gordon)

OK, I'm clear now - thanks for the advice. ... Chris
Chris Malcolm

Do convert to neg. earth to avoid a nasty shortcircuit.

I fitted a lighterplug under the dashboard and in it is a daul plug that is fused inside itself (like most dual plugs are).
Willem vd Veer

change to negative ground (Earth) and make sure to install a fuse. If the fuse blows all you are out is a 10 cent fuse not a wiring harness batery, or anything else that may be harmed by the possible explosion/fire. BTW when you change to negative ground, check you fuel pump to make sure that it is also negative earth, if you leave a positive ground pump in there you will smoke the capacitor and diode.

We all know that this stuff works on smoke not electrons. Once the smoke is let out, nothing works.

:-)
Jim
JP Jim

This thread was discussed between 24/03/2010 and 26/03/2010

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