12 V live feed for head unit

[alex 38]

i want to connect my head unit to a switched live feed other than the one on the iso plug, as i have damaged that one

is this ok? permanent live, as it is-not damaged. switched live to cigarette lighter wiring positive, and earth to cigarette lighter negative.

if i do this should i use an inline 10A fuse to the radio. also if the radio is on, will i overload the cigarette lighter circuit if i use the cigarette lighter as well. what i really need to know is what current does a head unit draw?

[pugh125k]

depends on what u want mate if u want ur cd player to be on while theres no keys in the car go for the battery live & negative or if u want the cd player to turn off when keys are taken out put the live onto cigarette lighter & negative to battery/cigarette!

ive put the live & negative onto battery & never had any problems, just remember to take the headunit off when ur finished or ur have a flat battery!

[alex 38]

i need both! permanent for memory, and switched so i don't accidently run down the battery,

what i need to know is if the cigarette lighter circuit/wire will be able to take the load of the radio/cd AND the cigarette lighter. i don't really want to wire staight on to the battery if poss (mind you it would be safer as long as its fused)

[pugh125k]

my alpine has two fuses 1 from the battery to cd player permanent live & 1 on the cd player it self, em i guess a volt meter would do the job of finding out if its suitable to urs, i have my boot popper, turbo boost, oil & volt gauges running of the cigarette lighter!

[alex 38]

thanks pugh. right, so i've now decided to do the battery route (back to the grommet!). i've got some 17A , rated wire and a 10A inline fuse. to connect to the battery i've got some ring terminals from old 8AWG wire i took out and replaced with 4AWG for the new amp which i shall try to solder on. thinking aloud now! this is just the same as wiring in an amp isn't it? could i use the existing earth connection, or back to the battery?

many thanks for any help.

[pugh125k]

should be the same yes, as for the earth connection as long as its a good connection it shouldnt make much diffrence i took mine back to the battery as i already had a negative wire comeing off it for a other item!

no problem mate