4.2 Cigarette Lighter Wiring

[Sensei]

I'm installing a camera which is powered through the cigarette lighter socket. I was planning on hiding the wire, routing it down to the footwell on the passenger side and tapping into some power source there. Are the cigarette lighter wires available here, or any other 12v power source that shuts down when car is turned off?

I'm also installing an inverter in the back some time soon. Is it a bad idea connecting this to the cigarette lighter wiring in the back? Are all three cigarette lighter sockets connected to the same wires?

[anchorman]

Shcm is an expert on these plugs. He will look in soon. There are also some camera tips pinned in the maintenance section.

[Sensei]

Shcm is an expert on these plugs. He will look in soon. There are also some camera tips pinned in the maintenance section.

Yes, not the first time I'm waiting for him to help me out. :) I've already installed a reverse camera with new head unit (even made a how-to about that), but this time I'm hooking up what is basically a forward-looking surveillance camera.

http://www.dealextreme.com/p/2-5-lcd-high-resolution-vehicle-mount-video-camcorder-with-sd-card-slot-wide-angle-35356

Power on; it starts recording. Power off; it shuts down. This is why I need to tap into a 12v source that goes on and off with the car, like the cigarette lighter socket. I've been looking at wiring diagrams for 2001-2002, but can't really figure out where the wires are going.

[shcm]

Shcm is an expert on these plugs.

....former drip under pressure.

I think most of what you need is in Junebug's pdf. Probably what's missing (well I couldn't see it) is the driver's side junction box connections:

and the passenger side junction box:

So, looking at page "27 RAV4" of Junebug's pdf, the power outlets are supplied from connector 2F, pin 5 (shown in driver's side J/B pic. I believe they do swap with LHD/RHD drive, but you'll have to compare pictures with reality to check). Front and back power outlets are both off the same feed.

The cigarette lighter is straight off the ignition switch acc (page "2 RAV4").

If you want a feed from the passenger side, for a low current app like a camera, probably connector 3G pin 7 would do you. It's the acc feed for the passenger side junction box, with a 7.5A fuse.

For your inverter, you may well need to put in a relay switched feed direct from the Battery. The power outlets are fused to 15A shared between them, so depending on what you are doing, only(?) about 200W max.

[Sensei]

Success! Thanks for the info! 3G pin 7 did the trick. I tried it first with a multimeter and it went on and off with the ignition like it should. Hooked up the wires with a fuse on +12V and grounded it behind the passenger side kick panel.

About the inverter; I already have one or two (6mm?) wires running directly from Battery to the rear and up to the roof where I have 2 x 100w work/reverse lights. They are activated by a relay that is triggered by the reverse light circuit. Should I absolutely add a relay for the inverter or can I just tap into the already installed wire, and add an on/off switch before the inverter? Would be nice to be able to use the inverter even though the car isn't running.

I think I ordered an 800 or 1000W inverter, but I will never get close to that wattage. Typical use will be PC charger, cellphone charger, Battery charger and everything else that runs on 230V and I dont want to buy a 12V adapter for.

[shcm]

6mm diameter cable probably rated to around 50A, so 600 to 700W. Probably OK - up to you.

Fuse it near the Battery and add a ground return to the Battery (sounds like you already have). I wouldn't rely on a chassis ground return for that, but that's just me.