Electrical Install Auxiliary Power Outlet

[prgt347]

I am going to install an auxiliary power outlet in my '92 Mustang in addition to the stock cigarette lighter/outlet. Trying to determine the best way to wire this up. The instructions state to wire directly to the battery, as it has its own internal fuse. I'd rather not have it live all the time and have thought about doing it a couple of different ways:

Wire from battery to fuse to switch, then switch to outlet. This way it can be switched off until needed, then switched back off again. The switch would always have power but the outlet wouldn't. Benefit of this method is that the outlet could have power even if the car is turned off.

Wire from existing power source that comes on with ignition to fuse to outlet. Outlet would only work while car is on. If I go this direction, what would be the best source to tap power from?

I'm also open to other ideas and suggestions. Please let me know your thoughts. Thanks.

 

[mikestang63]

this

 

[prgt347]

Um, no. Just asking about the wiring part, thanks.

 

[mikestang63]

do an add a fuse to the existing cig lighter

 

[jrichker]

Wire it through the ignition switch...
Diagrams courtesy of Tmoss & Stang&2birds

Ignition switch wiring

Fuse box layout

See the following website for some help from Tmoss (diagram designer) & Stang&2Birds (website host) for help on 88-95 wiring; http://www.veryuseful.com/mustang/tech/engine/ Everyone should bookmark this site.

94-95 Mustang wiring diagrams
http://www.veryuseful.com/mustang/tech/engine/#95-95Diagrams

Complete computer, actuator & sensor wiring diagram for 91-93 Mass Air Mustangs
http://www.veryuseful.com/mustang/tech/engine/images/91-93_5.0_EEC_Wiring_Diagram.gif

Complete computer, actuator & sensor wiring diagram for 88-91 Mass Air Mustangs
http://www.veryuseful.com/mustang/tech/engine/images/88-91_5.0_EEC_Wiring_Diagram.gif

Ignition switch wiring
http://www.veryuseful.com/mustang/tech/engine/images/IgnitionSwitchWiring.gif

Fuel, alternator, A/C and ignition wiring
http://www.veryuseful.com/mustang/tech/engine/images/fuel-alt-links-ign-ac.gif

O2 sensor wiring harness
http://www.veryuseful.com/mustang/tech/engine/images/mustangO2Harness.gif

Vacuum diagram 89-93 Mustangs
http://www.veryuseful.com/mustang/tech/engine/images/mustangFoxFordVacuumDiagram.jpg

HVAC vacuum diagram
http://www.veryuseful.com/mustang/tech/engine/images/Mustang_AC_heat_vacuum_controls.gif

TFI module differences & pin out
http://www.veryuseful.com/mustang/tech/engine/images/TFI_5.0_comparison.gif

Fuse box layout
http://www.veryuseful.com/mustang/tech/engine/images/MustangFuseBox.gif

Mustang 5.0 Lights and Radio schematic, by TMoss:
http://www.veryuseful.com/mustang/tech/engine/images/mustangFoxLights-Radio_diag.gif

87-92 power window wiring
http://www.veryuseful.com/mustang/tech/engine/images/mustang87-92 PowerWindowWiring.gif

93 power window wiring
http://www.veryuseful.com/mustang/tech/engine/images/mustang93PowerWindows.gif

T5 Cutaway showing T5 internal parts
http://www.veryuseful.com/mustang/tech/engine/images/5_Speed_Cutaway_Illustrated.jpg

Visual comparison of the Ford Fuel Injectors, picture by TMoss:
http://www.veryuseful.com/mustang/tech/engine/images/Ford_Injector_Guide.jpg

Convertible top motor wiring http://www.veryuseful.com/mustang/tech/engine/images/mustang88VertTopMotorCkt.gif

Engine mounted fuel injector harness
http://www.veryuseful.com/mustang/tech/engine/images/mustangEngineHarness.gif

Location of the TPS, IAB, and the 10-pin connectors on a 5.0, picture by TMoss:
http://www.veryuseful.com/mustang/tech/engine/images/TPS_IAB_Pic.jpg

Starter circuit
http://forums.stangnet.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=21328&d=1080916057

 

[moe9853]

I am going to install an auxiliary power outlet in my '92 Mustang in addition to the stock cigarette lighter/outlet. Trying to determine the best way to wire this up. The instructions state to wire directly to the battery, as it has its own internal fuse. I'd rather not have it live all the time and have thought about doing it a couple of different ways:

Wire from battery to fuse to switch, then switch to outlet. This way it can be switched off until needed, then switched back off again. The switch would always have power but the outlet wouldn't. Benefit of this method is that the outlet could have power even if the car is turned off.

Wire from existing power source that comes on with ignition to fuse to outlet. Outlet would only work while car is on. If I go this direction, what would be the best source to tap power from?

I'm also open to other ideas and suggestions. Please let me know your thoughts. Thanks.

The factory cigarette outlet is always on regardless of whether or not the car is on. For the one you're looking to add, I'm not sure what you mean by "its own internal fuse" but im going to assume that it has a fuse somewhere on the line. If it does, i think it would be cool to somehow integrate that fuse into the fuse box (notice fuse locations #17 & 7 are spares on jrichker's diagram). this would kinda be same as the cigarette lighter that's already on the car and if the fuse blows, you know the fuse is in the fuse box along with all the others and not somewhere behind the dash or in the console somewhere. I personally haven't tried this idea but if thought about doing it for a while just havent had the right opportunity yet.

Overall this idea would give you another cigarette port that's also always on but with its fuse inside the fuse box, along with all other fuses. Let me know if you decide to do it.

 

[moe9853]

Another idea would be (IF POSSIBLE, IM NOT AN ELECTRICIAN) to wire it to the blk/LT green wire on the ignition switch which gives power to fuses #2,6,11,14 according to the diagram above. You may even be able to incorporate my first idea with this one. You could place the fuse on a spare slot, then run one end of the wire to the blk/lt green wire and the other end to the cigarette lighter. Anyway, those are my two suggestions. Hopefully ill get to try this for myself some day. Let me know if it works for you, if you do chose to try my ideas. good luck!

 

[prgt347]

I appreciate all of your replies. I like your idea of utilizing the spare fuse locations and may look further into that in the future, but for now I tapped in to the blk/lt green wire for ignition power and ran a 20-amp inline fuse. It comes on with the car but I decided to install a rocker switch as well so that I can keep it off for the most part and not have the little blue light shining at me when not in use.

As you'll see from the pictures the reason I couldn't use the two-port plug-in mikestang63 first recommended was because I needed something to fill the hole that I cut in my dash about 17 years ago...ah, youth and stupidity. I had a CD changer with a display and thought it would be really neat to have it flush-mounted in my dash. Well, it looked really cool but within a year someone broke into my car and stole everything, leaving the useless display and hole in my dash. I have been trying to decide what to put in its place for years then finally found this double power outlet that looked like it would fit and appear somewhat stock. I shaved it down then made a small plastic backing to fit the frame. It's not perfect, and may still see some tweaking, but much better than an empty frame...Just need an outlet cover now but surprising those are hard to find. American Muscle sells a nice one with a Mustang emblem on it but for around $25!

Thanks again for all of your thoughts, ideas, and information. StangNet has been a great resource for me over the years, especially your posts Joe.