I have been thinking lately of doing some electrical mods to my car. Things such as adding more outlets,etc. Has anyone done this before? Can I just tap into the pre-existing outlet (in the center console) in parallel?

My plan so far is to splice into the power wire going into the 12v lighter socket. Then add a wire going from there to my fuse box. at the fuse box I will add a fuse into one of the empty holes, then wire another wire going to my center console Lid area. In there (somewhere) I will add my 2nd socket. Then of of course ground it somewhere.

Will this work? should I just connect them in parallel? would using them both like this at the same time blow a fuse?

adding stuff along the lines of this:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Weatherproof-Universal-USB-Charger-Adapter-Socket-12-V-to-5-V-Outlet-Power-Jack-/121412406017?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c44be4b01

http://www.ebay.com/itm/12V-Dual-Car-Cigarette-Lighter-Socket-USB-Adapter-Charger-Digital-Voltmeter-SC-/261698282804?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cee6ee534
http://www.ebay.com/itm/XD-3-New-12V-120W-Cigarette-Lighter-Power-Socket-Plug-Outlet-for-Car-Motorcycle-/121594559346?hash=item1c4f99bb72&vxp=mtr

 

If your only going to hook up the USB adaptors , sure , you can parallel them till your heart's content from the lighter socket , due to how little current USB devices draw compared to the cigarette lighter .

Now , regular good ol 12V outlets , of the kind you'd plug in a 12V portable car vacuum or air compressor/tire inflator type device , would be better with their own fused source from either constant or key on power , depending on planned use of the outlet .

A point to remember about adding outlets (or anything else , for that matter) is , that drilled once is drilled forever , so make damned sure you like what your putting and where your putting it ! "Undrilled" is a unicorn in the same vein as "revirginized" , ain't likely seen round these parts any time too soon ....

 

Before you tap into the cigarette lighter wiring, check the fuse panel under the dash. 9 times out of 10 there are unused fuse locations there that you can use. One side of the fuse socket will already have power, you just need to install a connector in the other half of the socket to run to whatever you're adding. Just use a regular voltmeter or test light to determine if he fuse socket has constant power, or ignition(switched) power. If your car didn't come with the factory fog lights, there is at least one available slot. If it's a camaro(didn't look at your info), then you've got open sockets for the headlight motors as the fuse block is the same for firebirds and camaros.

 

This is what I ended up doing. I went out and bought: a 3 pack of these rubber covers, wire, and a splinter with a fuse. I used my gauges fuse. I decided to put it in my center console. I even was able to keep my cassette holder in there (it was a lot of work sanding, and drilling). I used a spare OEM socket I had. Kinda looks factory.