Valiant Radio Hook-up Melt Down

[Mickey12]

I have a 1965 Base Valiant and installed a OEM radio by disconnecting the cigar lighter and plugging a 10 amp in-line fuse hot wire directly from the lighter wire plug to the radio. Works great, now is there any melt down safety issues that I need to be aware of after the fact? The hot wire to the lighter appears to be able to draw a lot of amps.

Mike

 

[Bad Sport]

I wouldn't think there is any issues. Although, I think I would have gone after a keyed source, so there's no chance to leave it on and possibly drain the battery.

 

[bbrroowwnn]

I believe that the cigar lighter is hot all the time.....It does not go off with the key....so don't leave your radio on or you will have a dead battery even though the ignition is turned off.....it is always a good idea to hook radio to a keyed power for this reason

 

[bbrroowwnn]

I wouldn't think there is any issues. Although, I think I would have gone after a keyed source, so there's no chance to leave it on and possibly drain the battery.

you bet me by a minute,,,,
lol

 

[65 Dartman]

On early As (and maybe later as well there is a factory 2 red/orange wire mini-harness that the factory used when a radio was ordered since the radio wiring was not incorporated into the basic under dash harness. The red wire connects to the 3 amp fuse in the fuse box (which is only hot when the key is on) and orange wire that connects to the instrument lighting. As others mentioned, doing it your way will also work as well.