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Can I tap/splice a UHF radio into the 12V cigarette lighter?

PostPosted: Thu, 31 Dec 2020 3:37 +0000
by SYNACKS
Hi All!

First post here. I'm looking to add a 15w UHF radio to my 2010 Hilux.

Can I use some wire taps, and splice into the 12V cigarette lighter socket without causing any issues (ie. blowing fuses, burning out wires, damaging equipment).
Will I also still be able to use the cigarette socket at the same time without causing too much power draw?

Cheers

Re: Can I tap/splice a UHF radio into the 12V cigarette ligh

PostPosted: Thu, 31 Dec 2020 4:11 +0000
by HK1837
Why don’t you just find a spare pin in the fuse box plugs? You need to go to a wreckers and cut out a piece of Toyota harness from a Camry, Hilux etc with a plug on one end and spend some time cutting the plug apart to get a few donor pins with some wires attached. Then plug that into the back of one of your Hilux’s plugs at the fuse box. You just have to read the wiring diagram to find the right plug with a blank hole.

Re: Can I tap/splice a UHF radio into the 12V cigarette ligh

PostPosted: Thu, 31 Dec 2020 5:36 +0000
by dave g
Just remember if you run through the fuse the radio go off with the ignition

I would run a fused wire from the battery that way you can use it anytime

Re: Can I tap/splice a UHF radio into the 12V cigarette ligh

PostPosted: Fri, 01 Jan 2021 2:04 +0000
by Krat
dave g wrote:Just remember if you run through the fuse the radio go off with the ignition

I would run a fused wire from the battery that way you can use it anytime


This is what I did as well. Very simple job. Also fitted a cig lighter outlet in the rear for the fridge on the same line. Works a treat and neat as well.

Re: Can I tap/splice a UHF radio into the 12V cigarette ligh

PostPosted: Fri, 15 Jan 2021 10:46 +0000
by fotto86
I have tapped into the ciggy lighter without any issues. Soldering came up a treat - I don't require my radio when the car is not in ignition as I have a handheld.