Hey there! I'm trying to setup an iSimple iPod aux cord into my car, and the instructions say I need a 12V wire and a ground wire for power. Where could I find these wires towards the back of the radio in my 2004 Jaguar X-Type?

 

Acer, pull out the cigarette lighter and pull the power from there. You have a switchable 12 VDC source right there and the associated ground wires. If you don't smoke, you can remove the lighter completely and even possibly find something that you can plug a USB plug into to fill that hole.

 

Thank you Thermo!

 

I forgot I need the cigarette lighter for my GPS. Are there any other places I could wire it in?

 

Like Thermo said, use the wires on the BACK of the lighter, and a tap adapter to connect your iSimple cord to the same wires; the lighter circuit can handle 10 amps all day long, so you can comfortably power both.

Yes, I know the lighter is fused for 20A, but the wires are borderline for handling full current for an extended period.

One of these weekends (if we can stay home for a few days...) I'll be wiring up an auxiliary power strip using Anderson PowerPole connectors...I'll write that up with pics when I do it. It is an unobtrusive way to get power for GPS, phones, computers, two-way gear, etc...and the connections are a LOT more secure than the lighter plug!

Car stereos...Pah! I've been known to do some hard-core automotive wiring in my day!

 

If you drop the glove box out and reach behind the tube that braces across the car you will find an accessory socket similar to the one in the boot near the cd changer you may need to fit a relay but once you do this socket carries permanent live , ignition live and earth. Without the relay you have only one of the lives but I can't remember which one off hand