I just bought a 12v ceramic heater for the kombi, but it requires a 25amps constant power supply.. Is it possible to make a 25amp cigarette lighter socket, and if so... then how?

Thanx

i wouldn't think a cigarette lighter socket can draw that amount of current... but that would probably depend on how its built... does it require a cigarette lighter socket or do you want to be able to disconnect it when you want??
If you are going to make it a permanent fixture dont use a cigarette lighter... just hardwire it into the kombi.
where is the heater going to be put ??

just jump a spade onto the spare slot on S13 or 8 or something on the fuse box, im pretty sure thats the free beefy 12v wire running from the rear.... not sure if it will take 25amps... sounds like a fair bit... might be worth running a new powerlead from the battery or startermotor to the dash, a nice thick one.

hmm.. yeah... the heater comes with a cigarette socket plug, but there's no reason why i can't hardwire it on for the winter... 25amps does seem a huge current but if it keeps me warm it'll be worth it...

Im just worried about the wiring getting too hot

just make sure you use the correct size wire for it... i'm surprised that it came with a cigarette lighter plug on the end of the wires if it is meant to draw 25amps.. thats a 300watt heater there. have you got pics of the heater? does it run a fan?

would have to use 4 square mm wire for sure.

[ Edited on 29-4-06 by blutopless2 ]

here are some pics...

You just need a proper cigerette lighter socket....
there are many out there these days that are built for very light loads.. like charging Your mobile phone... etc...

It would be better running a seperate heavy wire direct to the battery with a 25amp fuse in line....

or You could try coming off the main power wire behind the dash..... and uprating the 16 ampere fuse... to 25 amps....

Where did You find a 12v heater???

I've heard of them in the UK & Europe etc...

Lee

hmm... might try running it off the main dash wire first, then if im not happy i'll run a new wire from the back.

12v heater came from Jaycar... $39.95 hehehe... http://www.jaycar.com.au 

Unless you like seeing burning Kombis. don't f*k around. hard-wire this straight to the battery with a circuit breaker or fuse, controlled by an ignition-switched relay

eh? ignition switched relay?... is that just so it goes on and off with the key, or some other reason?

...and when people talk about hardwiring things to the battery, how exactly do you do it?

ok to do it good so ya not going to burn shit,
1) u need right gauge wire (????)
2)Run the wire from the positive terminal on the battry to the dash or where ever u want the power.
3)need a 25A fuse in ine
4) wire up an ignition relay so no matter wat it cant get power unless ignition is on (worth doing for when your in a rush and forget to turn heater off and come back to a melted heater and a dead battery)

I personally would run it off a cigaret socket so its not perminant and also so you can run other appliances seeming as kombis dont have a cigaret socket stock. Make sure that the earth wire is the same gauge as the positive wire (both can melt but positive is more dangerous as it will short the battery).

its not as difficult as it sounds, hardest part will be running the power cable and thats piss easy, only hard bit is getting it into the cabin at the front unless you got a helper.