I tried using the cigarette lighter as a 12v source to power my xm radio receiver but it didnt work..so its either one of those outlets that is there only to heat a cig lighter and will not double as a power source... or its shot...so my question is what other ways can i get a 12v source from the interior of the car? i cut the cig adapter off so i can use the bare wires to splice if i need to, and i checked the fuse box under the dash but didnt see any unused ports...any suggestions?

 

try the radio harness
it has constant or keyed power

 

okay, just for reference..does the cig lighter also work as a power source?

 

Yes, I have a switchbox powered off of my lighter, it has constant power, I also have tapped off the radio power plenty of times

 

Dont cut your your wires on the xm radio power plug and hardwire. There is a voltage converter inside the plug. 5v I think. You need to get a socket with external wires and plug the xm plug into that and then hardwire the wires from that. Dont want you to fry the xm radio.

 

Yeah the XM's are either 5v or 6v. If you want to hardwire it, just solder some leads onto the contacts on the cig adapter. The nipple at the end is positive and the two side contacts are the ground, you only need to attach a wire to one of the grounds. You will need a decent sized solder gun to get the nipple soldered without it getting too hot and melting apart. If you need more instructions i will do it at work tomorrow and take pics.

 

thanks for the info...im trying to figure out whats going on with the cig lighter..there is no power to it even with the car on, and i checked the fuse and it is fine...?