7 replies to this topic

[eilz1999]

Hi, I'm in the process of wiring in a 12v accessory point in the dash of my 1980 998 mini I have two questions:

1. I don't have approx 0.5m of cable. Where is the most convenient earthing point without having to make new holes. Anywhere convenient around the back of the speedo?

2. I'm looking to be able to use a classic type portable radio type in the car. More old fashioned way of playing music. The accessory would give me the flexibility of connecting it as well as a mobile phone etc. The radio that I've got also has a mains adapter 12v dc. I've come across a car power inverter:

http://www.ebay.co.u...mwAAOSw5cNYlIBr

This gives me the ability to plug any uk plug appliance. When running the car and playing the radio (plugged in) is it likely to drain my battery? My battery is Halfords hb038 so it's not the biggest. If I need a bigger battery, any recommendations?

Any advice would be much appreciated since I don't want a journey which starts with good music followed by a flat battery! Thanks

[ukcooper]

don't like power inverter seen to many catch fire.

earth point any where o the shell just clean the paint off.

battery drain , depends how good your system is earths wiring alternator ect also windscreen wipers headlights heater short-runs all drains on the battery

http://www.theminifo...sked-questions/

[eilz1999]

Ok, fair advice. Would something like this do the job instead?

https://www.amazon.c...2ADN5JWTS87FKB7

It's a straight 12v dc connector for my radio. It avoids the need for any inverting although it limits what I can connect to it and I will require a separate connector for any usb appliance.

[slidehammer]

Before I fitted a proper head unit in the Mini I tried using a Roberts portable DAB (a reasonably large radio) so I could listen to Planet Rock but they are not up to the job of fighting the noisy Mini cabin, and you can't safely site it so the speakers are facing you.. You really need a proper car radio set up with speakers set towards you. So I wouldn't waste time with an inverter just fit a 12v accessory point for phone or sat nav etc. Also Mini's electrics aren't the most powerful so you run the risk of a flat battery anyway.

[nicklouse]

Hi, I'm in the process of wiring in a 12v accessory point in the dash of my 1980 998 mini I have two questions:
1. I don't have approx 0.5m of cable. Where is the most convenient earthing point without having to make new holes. Anywhere convenient around the back of the speedo?
2. I'm looking to be able to use a classic type portable radio type in the car. More old fashioned way of playing music. The accessory would give me the flexibility of connecting it as well as a mobile phone etc. The radio that I've got also has a mains adapter 12v dc. I've come across a car power inverter:
http://www.ebay.co.u...mwAAOSw5cNYlIBr
This gives me the ability to plug any uk plug appliance. When running the car and playing the radio (plugged in) is it likely to drain my battery? My battery is Halfords hb038 so it's not the biggest. If I need a bigger battery, any recommendations?
Any advice would be much appreciated since I don't want a journey which starts with good music followed by a flat battery! Thanks

Just reading this and I wonder if you understand what you have written.

You say you want to take 12v DC then convert it to 240v AC and then convert it back to 12v DC

Are you mad?

[KernowCooper]

That item needs removing from ebay ! to provide 300w of power its going to draw 25amps way beyond what the cigar lighter circuit is capable off even in modern cars, and that inverters construction and size won't be powered up for long I assure you.

 

Just install a normal cigar lighter socket with 2.0mm 28/0.30mm Thin Wall Cable Nominal Current Rating: 25.0 amps taken off the Brown wire connection for the main cars 12v feed on the starter soleniod and insert a 15amp fuse and then you can use its as a normal cigar light socket or plug in a Cigar to usb 5v adapter for phone/sat nav operation

 

Forget the idea of plugging in any UK Appliance in a Mini, those inverters take a lot of power and costs lots of money to get quality inverters.

Edited by KernowCooper, 01 March 2017 - 08:43 PM.

[greenmini1275]

I wouldn't trust anything like that, that costs less than £50. I have a professional inverter that I use in my Tucson, but I would not dare use it in my Mini. I'm going to get a cigar lighter to power my phone and speaker.

[Mini Manannán]

Just get the Wired by Wilson USB/power socket kit. It's made for the mini and it works.