12v question

[hawaiian_msp]

i've searched in and out, in the how to section and with the search button. I'm trying to find a 12v wire that has power only when the ignition is on (and not a light power wire). I'm asking here because I dont have a volt meter to find for myself... any input will be greatly appreciated... thanx!!!

 

[Apexi]

i think the cigarette lighter has switched 12v

 

[03MSP]

I've always tapped everything into my cigarette lighter wire(probably not the best idea to have everything run off of that); it has always worked good for me.

 

[RyanJayG]

get a multi meter

 

[toucci]

buy a freaking multimeter it'll remove all doubt and save you tons of worry and toasted electronics

 

[Tex]

Sears, Radio Shack, Home Depot, all sell accurate, inexpensive multimeters. Or if you're really cheap, just get a test light from Auto Zone.

 

[Dexter]

i bought my multimeter for like $10 from an electronics surplus store.

 

[WeldingHank]

Pocket DMM from radio-shack $15. best $15 i ever spent.

 

[hawaiian_msp]

thanks guys!!! I'll tyr it out...

 

[1sty]

You guys are seriously killing me here!

Please don't use the cigarette lighter wire for everything. It is not of sufficient power for many accessories.

Go here:
http://www.msprotege.com/vbb225/showthread.php?s=&threadid=9965

This is my remote starter/alarm wire sticky. On it you will find an ignition wire and accessory wire listed with location and color. These are the wires you want to use.

 

[Poseur]

I don't know if I'm pointingout the obvious or what, but if you really want to run a bunch of acessories, you can use your lighter, or any other "trigger" wire, such as the one you wire to the red wire of your H/U, and use it as the "switch" for a simple relay. Grab the Actual power input directly off of your battery. A standard automotive relay costs like 5bones, and will support like 20-30a I believe. If you can figure out how to tap into your cig lighter, you can figure out how to wire in a relay. And, yes Get a multimeter, or atleast a test light, but spend the extra buck or two to get a decent one if you do the test-light route. You'll use it more than you think, and it makes a big diff not having to try and hold the ground into the plug on the back of those cheap ones.

 

[johnsharpe]

I don't know if I'm pointingout the obvious or what, but if you really want to run a bunch of acessories, you can use your lighter, or any other "trigger" wire, such as the one you wire to the red wire of your H/U, and use it as the "switch" for a simple relay. Grab the Actual power input directly off of your battery. A standard automotive relay costs like 5bones, and will support like 20-30a I believe.

GAAA, you beat me to it! hehehe

 

[Brian MP5T]

i've searched in and out, in the how to section and with the search button. I'm trying to find a 12v wire that has power only when the ignition is on (and not a light power wire). I'm asking here because I dont have a volt meter to find for myself... any input will be greatly appreciated... thanx!!!

Let me know if you need a $10.00 loan for a multi meter.