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Mounting a cigarette lighter - where? how?

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twas_brillig

Jedi Knight
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I'd like to add a cigarette lighter to our BJ7 for powering The Various Moderne Conveniences (eg cell phone; GPS; etc.).
I was wondering if the fibreglas transmission cover would be strong enough (and have enough clearance available underneath)to install one on the engine side of the gear shift: lots of flat surface there to lay the Moderne Convenience whilst it charges. What have others done? Comments on positive ground installations?
Thanks,
Doug
 
My replacement dashboard, had a hole on the right side for the later type windshield washer, so I was able to drop the lighter in there, mostly just to fill the hole.

I have used the lighter a couple of times though, for my Innovate Controls wide-band O2 analyzer, and again for a GPS.

If you check the aisles at Autozone (or the like), you'll find accessory cigarette lighter kits that include an "L" shaped bracket. This could easily be mounted under the dash somewhere, out of sight, or to the lower lip of the dash in plain view.

Without some sort of console, I don't think it would look too attractive on the fibreglas tunnel. If you were planning to mount it through the tunnel, be advised that these are rarely (if ever) in a weatherproof housing.

My cigarette lighter is visible to the left of the grab handle. The early style washer squirter (now electric) is just to the right of the ignition switch.

IMG_0762.sized.jpg
 
Doug,

I plan to add a cigarette lighter to my BJ7. have been thinking of trying to modify an extra ash tray insert to fit it. If I find one to fit I will drill a hole for the wires through the trans tunnel under the ash tray. I,ll only do it if the cover will clear and close. (I have seen a photo of the ashtray modified to hold two electric window switches.)
 
just received in mail Moss Motors Catalogue has cig lighter with wiring shown in one of first few pages
Jay '65 3000
 
I'd like to add a cigarette lighter to our BJ7 for powering The Various Moderne Conveniences (eg cell phone; GPS; etc.).

I added one to one of my BJ8's, it took me two years to work up enough nerve to do it. :laugh: However,I smoked at that time.

I cut a hole in the RT Hand side of the wood dash in the exact same location as the wind screen pump on the other side, then I installed a lighted period British car unit.

Your location on the trans tunnel may just add an access complexity to the car.---FWIW--Keoke
 
Dang! Memory failed again! Thanks for the thread reference Roger - I'd even read that one (I specifically remember the James Bond references).
The next time the top is down I'll crawl around under the dash, as a connection centred over that nice big flat area on the trans cover but up behind the dash would address the weather proofing/potential clearance concerns.
Sticking a couple of rare earth magnets on the cover/under the carpeting might also allow the use of some sort of metal 'pan' to hold things like GPS/kleenex. Alternate/additional suggestions always appreciated!
Doug
 
Just went out and had a look-see: I'm now thinking I'll hide it behind the dash, and use one of bolts holding the passenger grab handle to attach a bracket. I'm also assuming that DC 12 Volt means it doesn't matter which is the ground (?).
Doug
 
twas_brillig said:
I'm also assuming that DC 12 Volt means it doesn't matter which is the ground (?).
Doug
Click to expand...
Hi Doug,
It matters a lot. If your car is still positive ground, you'll need to isolate the cigarette lighter from any metal in the car. Plus make sure what your charging doesn't make a metal to metal contact with the car either.
 
A cigarette lighter was an optional extra available from the Donald Healey Motor Company.

It was installed about 1 inch or so above the heater controls and centred between them
 
A cigarette lighter was an optional extra available from the Donald Healey Motor Company.

It was installed about 1 inch or so above the heater controls and centred between them.


:nonod:

A fixed position for the cigar lighter was never established by the factory,

However,what have seen several times and I believe might have been a factory/dealer type installation when purchased by the customer was:

The lighter was located on the transmission tunnel very close to the ashtray.

One of my Healeys [ Miss Blue] which came very close to original as defined by my heritage certificate had one located there too.--Fwiw--Keoke
 
Keoke

As you know DHMC was a dealer, and not the factory, which offered no such options


I have a photo of an installation but I cant figure out out how to attach the photo,
 
Donald Healey Motor Car "Company"

Was based in an old aircraft components factory off Miller Road in Warwick. Healey was joined by Roger Menadue from Armstrong Whitworth to run the experimental workshop.

In later years the "company" also had a now-demolished showroom (formerly a cinema) on Emscote Road, Warwick.

I never heard it referred to as a Dealership? but I weren't there------Keoke-- :smile:
 
Just to clarify this.

By dealer, I simply meant that, unlike in the days of Healeys the Austin Healeys were not built at DHMC but by BMC who did not offer very many options.
The DHMC was a dealership in the sense that people could order cars through them and that's also why they had a showroom in central London. They offered a long list of options of which the cigarette lighter was one.
 
Just to clarify this.

By dealer, I simply meant that, unlike in the days of Healeys the Austin Healeys were not built at DHMC but by BMC who did not offer very many options.
The DHMC was a dealership in the sense that people could order cars through them and that's also why they had a showroom in central London. They offered a long list of options of which the cigarette lighter was one.
 
The DHMC was a dealership in the sense that people could order cars through them;

Yes and it is reported that you could get anything put on your car where ever you wanted it if you paid for it.

For example" I have $600.00 worth of Talbot Spun stainless steel fender mirrors on my BJ8 installed at the company and certified as such in my heritage certificate.




and that's also why they had a showroom in central London. They offered a long list of options of which the cigarette lighter was one.

OK I understand what you were saying---Keoke
 
I have a BJ8 of 1965 year model which accoring to the certificate from British Motor Heratage Trust of my chassie number was equipped with a cigar lighter. When restoring the car I removed it as I am a non smoker. But old pictures prior restoration shows that the lighter was placed little bit offset to the right in the middle of a line between the air control of the heater and the light switch.
I guess it was custom made and exact position might varies.
 
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