The Ford Barn

Russell Reay · 05-25-2026, 02:13 PM

I followed Paul Shinn's video about installing a cell phone charger using a unit from Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D4YSHSH3...sin_title&th=1. It is described as a 12V cigarette lighter and power outlet, and says it comes with a 10 amp fuse, but this is the one that came with it. As nearly as I can decipher this is a 3 amp fuse. The symbol before the numeral 3 appears to be something that didn't stamp completely in the factory, but that is what it looks like. I have this connected to the ammeter and grounded in common with the turn signals. I am using red for power--neg, and black for ground--pos. Paul's video shows an in line fuse, but he doesn't state its size. I can splice in a different fuse holder, but what size should I use?

Y-Blockhead · 05-25-2026, 04:32 PM

Shouldn't need too high of an amp rating. I would start out low and increase the size if your charger blows the fuse. I have a 5amp fuse in mine (#5 on fuse box) and also run my Garmin GPS.

nkaminar · 05-25-2026, 05:11 PM

It is a 3 amp, fast blow, 250 volt fuse. Try it but if it blows, look for a 5 amp and 8 amp fuse of the same size. Then try the 5 amp and if that blows the 8 amp.

CT Jack · 05-25-2026, 08:01 PM

Some cell phone chargers consume as much as 10watts during charging. This means the maximum amperage during charging is A = 10W/12v = .83amps for 6volts = 1.7 amps.

Keith True · 05-25-2026, 08:42 PM

Just looked t my phone,it says it was last charged on Friday night,and has 70% remaining right now.But,I don't type on my phone and I don't talk on my computer.Two different appliances to me.

Synchro909 · 05-25-2026, 09:20 PM

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As I have posted a number of times, my cars are drivers. Without wanting to be critical of those chasing points, I see no reason to not convert to 12v. I suspect this car is already on 12 volts. If so, I'd install the socket with a 3 amp fuse and call it DONE. As others have said, if you blow the fuse, simply use a bigger one. A couple of my cars have 2 or 3 of these sockets for a refrigerators, GPS, Phone etc. I use a plug with 2 USB sockets built in so I have a bigger than 3 amp fuse.
Consider how you may be using the socket and use common sense.

Badpuppy · 05-26-2026, 07:12 AM

Assuming standard positive ground system, attach red (positive) to ground and black (negative) to battery.

3 amps is for 12V supply, may need to use 5 amp fuse for six volts.

I haven't seen Paul's video, but I assume also your mount isolates the socket housing from vehicle ground, otherwise it will blow any fuse.

Russell Reay · 05-26-2026, 09:12 AM

I believe the mount is adequately isolated. It is all plastic except for the socket itself. Will try a larger fuse. Re: change to 12V, if this were a daily driver, I might do it, but for a hobby car I would rather keep the 6V.

corvette8n · 05-26-2026, 11:03 AM

Here what I did, I bought a lighter charger from the Dollar store and took it apart. Connect the positive to ground and negative to batt power, an inline fuse for safety, mount it to a piece of plastic and mount it somewhere on bottom edge of dash.

Herb Concord Ca · 05-26-2026, 11:49 AM

Amazon has a bunch of choices. I got one that has a cigar lighter socket and 2 USB jacks. Install a fuse and an on/off switch because mine draws current all the time even when nothing is plugged in!

05-25-2026, 04:32 PM	#2
Y-Blockhead Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Redondo Beach, CA Posts: 7,288	Re: Cell phone charging Shouldn't need too high of an amp rating. I would start out low and increase the size if your charger blows the fuse. I have a 5amp fuse in mine (#5 on fuse box) and also run my Garmin GPS. Last edited by Y-Blockhead; 05-25-2026 at 05:08 PM.

05-25-2026, 05:11 PM	#3
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 6,849	Re: Cell phone charging It is a 3 amp, fast blow, 250 volt fuse. Try it but if it blows, look for a 5 amp and 8 amp fuse of the same size. Then try the 5 amp and if that blows the 8 amp. __________________ A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past.

05-25-2026, 08:01 PM	#4
CT Jack Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Hebron, CT Posts: 639	Re: Cell phone charging Some cell phone chargers consume as much as 10watts during charging. This means the maximum amperage during charging is A = 10W/12v = .83amps for 6volts = 1.7 amps.

05-25-2026, 09:20 PM	#6
Synchro909 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 8,432	Re: Cell phone charging Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) As I have posted a number of times, my cars are drivers. Without wanting to be critical of those chasing points, I see no reason to not convert to 12v. I suspect this car is already on 12 volts. If so, I'd install the socket with a 3 amp fuse and call it DONE. As others have said, if you blow the fuse, simply use a bigger one. A couple of my cars have 2 or 3 of these sockets for a refrigerators, GPS, Phone etc. I use a plug with 2 USB sockets built in so I have a bigger than 3 amp fuse. Consider how you may be using the socket and use common sense. __________________ When all is said and done, more is said than done. That's why we judge people on what they do, not what they say. I sometimes wonder what happened to the people who asked me for directions. If I am not in trouble, I've done something wrong.

05-26-2026, 07:12 AM	#7
Badpuppy Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: Guthrie, OK Posts: 1,265	Re: Cell phone charging Assuming standard positive ground system, attach red (positive) to ground and black (negative) to battery. 3 amps is for 12V supply, may need to use 5 amp fuse for six volts. I haven't seen Paul's video, but I assume also your mount isolates the socket housing from vehicle ground, otherwise it will blow any fuse.

05-25-2026, 08:42 PM	#5
Keith True Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Epping N.H. Posts: 3,691	Re: Cell phone charging Just looked t my phone,it says it was last charged on Friday night,and has 70% remaining right now.But,I don't type on my phone and I don't talk on my computer.Two different appliances to me.

05-26-2026, 09:12 AM	#8
Russell Reay Senior Member Join Date: May 2021 Location: NH/ VT Posts: 513	Re: Cell phone charging I believe the mount is adequately isolated. It is all plastic except for the socket itself. Will try a larger fuse. Re: change to 12V, if this were a daily driver, I might do it, but for a hobby car I would rather keep the 6V.

05-26-2026, 11:49 AM	#10
Herb Concord Ca Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Concord CA Posts: 861	Re: Cell phone charging Amazon has a bunch of choices. I got one that has a cigar lighter socket and 2 USB jacks. Install a fuse and an on/off switch because mine draws current all the time even when nothing is plugged in!