How to Install a Motorcycle Cigarette Lighter
In general, motorcycles are built to serve as basic transportation. As such, most motorcycles lack features found in even the most basic of automobiles – cup holders, electrical outlets, ashtrays or cigarette lighters, for example.
For some motorcycle riders, it is convenient to have an available power source (such as a cigarette lighter receptacle) to recharge small electronic devices, such as cell phones. A weatherproof DC power outlet can be wired to the motorcycle battery using two wires added to the electrical system.
Things You'll Need
Motorcycle with installed battery
Set of hex wrenches (if motorcycle battery is mounted under the seat)
Screwdriver
Electrical pliers
Red electrical wire (16 AWG or thinner)
Black electrical wire (16 AWG or thinner)
Crimp-style ring terminals (2)
Splice connector terminals (2)
Weatherproof 12V automotive power outlet
Cable ties (three or more)
Instructions
If the battery is installed under the seat, loosen and remove the hex bolts holding the seat in place, and remove the seat from the motorcycle. If the battery is mounted under a side battery cover, pry the battery cover from the motorcycle to expose the battery.
Some motorcycles have the battery box under a plastic cover near the engine (green triangle, center of photo).
Strip one-half inch of insulation from one end of the black wire and one end of the red wire. Place a ring terminal over the stripped ends of the black and red wires, and crimp the terminals to the respective wires.
Place the positive wire from the weatherproof socket into one of the holes in the first splice connector. Place the free end of the red wire into the splice connector, and crimp the connector to make the electrical connection.
Place the negative wire from the weatherproof socket into one of the holes in the second splice connector. Place the free end of the black wire into the splice connector, and crimp the connector to make the electrical connection.
Loosen and remove the retaining nut on the positive battery terminal. Place the ring terminal attached to the red wire over the terminal screw, and replace and tighten the positive battery terminal retaining nut. Loosen and remove the retaining nut on the negative battery terminal. Place the ring terminal attached to the black wire over the terminal screw, and replace and tighten the negative battery terminal retaining nut.
Route the power outlet to a point on the frame below the rider, and attach the outlet to the motorcycle frame using a cable tie. Use the remaining cable ties to attach the excess wire length to the frame of the motorcycle. Reinstall the battery cover or the seat when finished.
