Swapping 12v outlet for and actual cigar lighter (Mk7,5 Fiesta)

[Khobshe]

Has anyone swapped out the 12V outlet in the front out for an actual cigar lighter with an element in a Mk 7,5? I looked around and haven't seen any posts about this. I'm a smoker and even though I don't smoke in my car I always prefer having a cigar lighter in my car in case I forget my lighter. From what I've seen the cigar lighter was part of the optional smoker package, which of course mine doesn't have. I know you cant just put an element in the 12v accessory port since they aren't rated for the heat but does anyone know if its just a drop in swap or is more to it like changing fuses or otherwise? I might have a look in the local breakers yards to see if there's a Fiesta with it fitted to nick it

 

[Handy Andy]

I've found some phone battery chargers as well as some devices using 12 cigarette lighter - heat up hotter than leaving the element from a typical cigar lighter in too long in a winters day only to burn your hand from doing just that...

Long story? No? Ok, just remember to use some kind of backing plate - the plastic hole housing will get soft - Tractors Supply (TSC) did sell washers that would fit the screw-in type of cigar lighter diameter to act like a "gasket" and provide/act like a heat sink - but it requires surface area to dissipate that heat.

 

[Handy Andy]

Hooking up the Electrical for the heating element is the only issue I see.​

 

[Khobshe]

Thanks for the reply, the stock 12v power outlet is not rated for the heat of a cigar lighter so its not as simple as just getting the element and popping it in.
So far I've found the 3 part numbers for what seems to be everything needed for the swap (nobody wants that ashtray haha):
Element: CV6Z15052A
Socket: CV6Z15055A (this *should* be the correct one the stock one is BK2Z19N236A)
Ring: F8RZ15K040CA (this is for mounting and has a light to show when the element is engaged, these have been around for 20+ years)
I also called a Ford dealership to ask about the feasibility of the swap and if there was any wiring/fusing differences and they didn't seem to find any, but I'll pick up a wiring diagram to be sure. So now all that's left is to get the parts but I'll see if I can't find one at a breakers yard to see it in situe and if I can get it for less. Once again if anyone has done this swap let me know!

 

[Handy Andy]

I have only added a 12V lighter socket, not for cigar - but as a means to offer rear passengers a 12V charge port.

Which is how I became aware of some phone chargers - being 3.0 amps or more - have generated a lot of heat in dropping the wattage for that amperage (linearly not switching types) from 12V to less than 5V (even at 6V - 6 X 3 amps is 18 watts - some brake light bulbs toast sockets with less) so they can consume easily a 5 amp draw or roughly 30 watts in dissipation, but the 110V 300W inverters take easily 10~15 amps - which is certainly even more than the rating in a heater element in a typical Cigar lighter.