Re: Installing Auxillary/cig lighter
The outlet does not draw power. What you connect TO the outlet draws power so whatever the maximum current draw is for whatever you intend to plug into the outlet determines the wire size you need. Since you have a pontoon, that means it has a console and the console has a fuse panel so there is no need to run wires all the way back to the battery. Drill the appropriate size hole at the desired spot on the console. Remove the shell from the outlet. If the area where you are mounting it is thick, you will need to cut down the shell otherwise the shell will not screw back onto the outlet. Run the +12V line (center terminal) to an empty spot on the fuse panel. Run the ground lead (shell connection) to the ground buss on the fuse panel. Insert a fuse of the appropriate size and you are done. If you do run wires all the way back to the battery, placing a fuse "somewhere" along the route is not acceptable. A fuse should be connected at the source, meaning the POS terminal of the battery. If it's installed halfway up the line a short that occurs between the battery wherever the fuse is will burn down your boat as the fuse does not know the short is ahead of it. That's why all the circuit breakers in your house are in one spot, not scattered all over the house.
