Installing cigarette lighter port By mike932 (Read 2,047 times)

[mike932]

[mike932]

I ordered the above charger. I would prefer it to work only when the engine is running. Since my lights only work when the engine is running, should I tap into the power cord to my lights? If so, do I just splice the cigarette positive to the light's positive, and cigarette negative to light's negative?

[Alleyoop]

Sure that will work, or you can tape into the black wire when the key is turned on.
Alleyoop

[mike932]

Or even the kill switch, right? I will figure out which is easiest.

[Bashan]

If your lights work only when the engine is running they are AC and I doubt you want your accessory running off of the center tapped AC yellow wire. Do what Alley says with the circuit tapped right off of the DC black ignition wire or tap right off of the battery with a switch and fuse of it's own. If you need help just ask here or PM me. Rich

[mike932]

Good point. With the engine running, I will test the wire's current with a multimeter before I install.

[cyborg]

I'd go battery tap myself

[mike932]

That was my original plan, but I don't want my GPS to drain the scooter battery when the engine is off.  Also, if I attach to the scooter battery, I would have to run wires all the way to the handlebar.

[richardv]

Remember, the circuit you tap into has to be able to handle the extra load of what is plugged into the power port. The power port should have it's own fuse.

[mike932]

The cigarette port I ordered comes with a fuse. If the port affects starting, I will disconnect the GPS before starting or I will install a switch that turns the port on and off.

[dmartin95]

Feb 10, 2015 7:46:18 GMT -6 mike932 said:

The cigarette port I ordered comes with a fuse. If the port affects starting, I will disconnect the GPS before starting or I will install a switch that turns the port on and off.

Mike, something you may want to do is check the rating on that fuse. 

A stock GY6 will not have much power to spare and some even come with power deficiencies... If your scooter does have extra watts available, I would wager it's around around 25 watts, ....

I would consider using a 2.5amp (5 amp max) fuse....

Once you get your charger installed and your scooter running, hook up a multi-meter and verify you have good volts, then plug in your load (GPS) into your charge port, if you drop below 13 volts you you may be pulling too much current (power)... If you go below 12 volts, you for sure are pulling too much juice.  

[mike932]

It's not a GY6. It's a 1988 Yamaha Riva 125cc. Does that make any difference?

[dmartin95]

Feb 10, 2015 10:12:11 GMT -6 mike932 said:

It's not a GY6. It's a 1988 Yamaha Riva 125cc. Does that make any difference?

I'm unsure. Looking at your avatar, I thought you had a TaoTao ATM-50. I'm not familiar with the electrical setup for the Riva. Yamaha is a much higher quality than your typical GY6, but I also know the further the date goes back, the less electrical power scooters have... Even though it's a Yamaha, I would wager there's not much power to spare. 

In short, I can't answer your question cause I don't have the answer... However, the multi-meter test will still work and will let you know if you're drawing too much power.

[Bashan]

Looking at some wiring diagrams for the Riva it appears you have a separate regulator from the rectifier. Also, I wouldn't try to tap into the kill switch, I think you'd be asking for trouble. I'd go right off of the battery, the wiring is already fused, I'd go 5 amps. If you're worried about draw put a volt meter in the circuit with a switch. You don't want to leave a volt meter run when the bike is off, they drain the battery. If you're worried about leaving the switch on you'll have to run off of the key switch wire that gets hot with the key on. Personally, I'd tap right onto the battery.

[mike932]

Can you show me an example of a voltmeter for sale? Thank you.