Question For Our Electrical Experts On C2 Cigarette Lighters

[James W.]

Re: Question For Our Electrical Experts On C2 Cigarette Lighters

Harry,

Where did you install the fuse under the dash? Near the lighter or further back where it is harder to see? just curious, going to do the same thing once the car is ready and I have a good working original lighter socket.

Thanks,

James

Finally got around to installing the fuse. I hate cutting harness wires, but it's better than a fire.

Anyway, had to move a few steering column brackets, but it was an easy install.

[Harry S.]

Re: Question For Our Electrical Experts On C2 Cigarette Lighters

Harry,

Where did you install the fuse under the dash? Near the lighter or further back where it is harder to see? just curious, going to do the same thing once the car is ready and I have a good working original lighter socket.

Thanks,

James

James, the red wire to the lighter was rather short. I cut the wire about 1.25 inches from the plug. I had no room to work any higher under the dash than that. No hand room.

[James W.]

Re: Question For Our Electrical Experts On C2 Cigarette Lighters

Harry,

I kind of figured it was going to have to be close to the lighter, but thought you might have found a way to hide it.

Thanks,

James

[Alan D.]

Re: Question For Our Electrical Experts On C2 Cigarette Lighters

Nice find Harry. As for "I guess I play "Russian Roulette" In the operations test" that is precisely what you are doing.
Used lighter for years, then at a Regional asked to push it in - then smoke. The lighter has a ceramic disk on the bottom and
they break - jamming the lighter to ground. FUSE IT

[Larry E.]

Re: Question For Our Electrical Experts On C2 Cigarette Lighters

Alan>Thanks for the report. It comes down to two choices>1. Don't test the lighter in operations and take the
point hit(Which is my choice) >2. Put a fuse in and test it in operations but a smart judge will see the fuse in
Flight judging and dock you points for originality. Take your pick. Thanks>Larry

[Richard M.]

Re: Question For Our Electrical Experts On C2 Cigarette Lighters

Here is a example of one made for the C1 ignition circuit, which uses flat terminals. It plugs into the Ignition switch connector and a mating terminal housing coming off the engine harness. It can be easily undone for judging using a jewelers screwdriver to move the Brown wire terminal back into the Ign switch connector.
P7160072.jpg

On pre-1967 cars, you can create a similar fused wire jumper like above for the lighter circuit, with the ends made up of mating male/female bullet connectors, then placed in series with the factory lighter feed wire which normally plugs onto the lighter stud connector. This can be removed for judging and reinstalled later to maintain fuse protection. In this case no tools would be needed to remove it since the bullet connectors would come apart easily by hand.
d-1059_1.jpg
Another option is this one from Zip Corvette, maybe others. You could get this and simply use a bullet connector(properly insulated) instead of the supplied spade terminal, so you could undo it easily without cutting any wires in the factory harness. The spade terminals were used on the C1 car lighters.
Zip E-1264
e-1264.jpg

[Gary B.]

Re: Question For Our Electrical Experts On C2 Cigarette Lighters

Larry,








So, my guess is at least 12 points lost for not testing the lighter vs 1 pt lost for having the added fuse.


Gary

[Harry S.]

Re: Question For Our Electrical Experts On C2 Cigarette Lighters

Larry,








So, my guess is at least 12 points lost for not testing the lighter vs 1 pt lost for having the added fuse.


Gary

Gary, I agree. Also consider it's a safety issue. Like other safety concerns on the car. I would make a note, and no deduction.

[Dan H.]

Re: Question For Our Electrical Experts On C2 Cigarette Lighters

I use the Casco lighter fuse L2C, just plugs into back of lighter, then wire plugs back into it. Lots of them on Ebay, no mods at all required .

[Thomas B.]

Re: Question For Our Electrical Experts On C2 Cigarette Lighters

From Lectric Limited, $26.00 incl 10A fuse.

https://www.lectriclimited.com/cigarette-lighter-fused-adapter-wire-105561

From Amazon, $6.76 + fuse:

https://a.co/d/e2HrKHg

[Richard M.]

Re: Question For Our Electrical Experts On C2 Cigarette Lighters

Would it be ok to use this fuse assembly with a new lead wire plugged into the power window connection in the fuse panel on cars without power windows? Easily reversible for judging. The fuse assembly has a 10 amp blade type fuse.

Thomas, You would have to add a length of wire and add a insulated flat Packard 56 female terminal and male housing to that part, to reach the PW Buss terminal.

Why LL/Zip & others call that for 55-66 is unknown. It has the special female barrel pin type receptacle that attaches to the lighter(63-66), but the other end is a flat Packard 56 terminal. They expect you to cut the main harness female barrel pin type receptacle off, then add that flat terminal to their assembly. OK if not being judged or a daily driver.

The 53-62 lighter uses a male flat terminal to power it, so it won't work on those either.

I think they don't know the differences or have been misinformed.

See several recent threads on lighter fuses for more accurate data.

Rich

[Thomas B.]

Re: Question For Our Electrical Experts On C2 Cigarette Lighters

Rich,

My comment was regarding my '63 which has the female barrel pin type receptacle on the lighter. I'd rather not alter the connector on the harness. I don't have power windows and there is no Accessory terminal on the buss. Just want to make sure the PW circuit can handle the load from the lighter.

Tom

[Richard M.]

Re: Question For Our Electrical Experts On C2 Cigarette Lighters

Rich,

My comment was regarding my '63 which has the female barrel pin type receptacle on the lighter. I'd rather not alter the connector on the harness. I don't have power windows and there is no Accessory terminal on the buss. Just want to make sure the PW circuit can handle the load from the lighter.

Tom

Tom, see this thread. I show how.

Edit.... And to accurately answer your last question, yes, the PW feed at the fuse panel will handle the lighter current and is actually overrated as it's a #12G wire directly from Bat+.

If using the LL, adapter, wrap some tape on the stock harness female pin socket.

Rich

[Thomas B.]

Re: Question For Our Electrical Experts On C2 Cigarette Lighters

Rich,
Thanks. One question though. On the fuse block, it appears there are two terminals for power windows. I believe only one is required. Am I misinterpreting this? Is the left one for auxiliary power and the right one for power windows? Can you clarify this?

Tom

[Gary B.]

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