Cigarette lighter additional fuse?

[maz4813]

Hey guys, I have had a mk3.5 Leon fr for a few months now and maybe a month in I blew what i assumed was the fuse for the cigarette port when using a 12v compressor to pump my tires up, anyhow I never use the port except for that so delayed changing the fuse for ages, then fast forward to few days ago I lower the glove box and in the space of the fuse, there is a 90 degree connector on some sort of red cable ( I assume this isn't factory and someone added this) - it was a 90 degree angle connector and had 2 fuses, 20 amps so same as the fuse, and then a 2 amp one which was blown, I just unplugged it, shoved the 20 amp fuse (which wasn't blown) into the original 20 amp fuse place... but I do wonder what this connector does, is it hard wiring something? does the 20amp fuse become 22AMPS? surely not as the current would flow through it as well and burn the fuse like the 2 amp was burnt? Could someone shine some light as to what this could be, maybe a dashcam or something? not seen this before as this is only my 2nd car.

 

[Seriously?]

was it one of these?

It's an "Add a fuse" and you're right, it probably was for a dashcam. There's a right way and a wrong way to use these things; this may help.

 

[nd-photo.nl]

Yep, thats an easy way to add a powerline to whatever accessory you want to add (usually a dashcam). I also used that solution for my dashcam, so that it gets 12v switched power

 

[SuperV8]

Dash cam, towing hitch, or audio amp would be the common use for these fuse taps.

Original fuse should have been nearest the pins.

 

[Craig.]

Fused spur. Be careful using these as adding a tap to a power hungry item can cause issues if there is too much amp draw on the wire.

 

[maz4813]

was it one of these?
View attachment 47059
It's an "Add a fuse" and you're right, it probably was for a dashcam. There's a right way and a wrong way to use these things; this may help.

yes it was, thanks!

 

[maz4813]

Dash cam, towing hitch, or audio amp would be the common use for these fuse taps.

Original fuse should have been nearest the pins.

View attachment 47061

they were the wrong way around in that case, the 2 amp fuse was nearest to the pins I believe... maybe thats why it blew.

 

[Mr Pig]

The other thing to watch with these plug in adapters is that they come lose. You've got the weight of the plug sticking out and the cable hanging off it. Movement of the car can cause it to work its way out. Dash cam stopped working on one of our cars, that's what it was. Careful cable dressing is required.

 

[Mr Pig]

There's a right way and a wrong way to use these things..

Took me a while realize this. You need to be careful about direction and where the fuses go. The ones I've bought have come with the 20a fuse already in the right place.