We are now well into the era of mobile (aka cellular) phones, GPS devices, tablets, mini-laptops and a bevy of other travel items that require power or recharging when in the car. For some reason, by force of sad habit, we try to meet these needs with a MMC cigar /cigarette lighter. That's handy if you smoke.. but I don't any longer and it is a poor device to use for any of these other tasks.

What is needed is a power outlet. This is a device made for the purposes listed above.

IDEAL SPEC

1. It should be robustly wired as you could call on it to do heavy duty. No point in buying a device with strong wiring, sufficient for 35 amps, and then splice it into Morgan car wiring rated to take no more than 15 amps. That can mean a fire.

2. It should be made for the outdoors, as so often we are lucky enough to have the top down.

3. It should be made to be installed with the socket facing in any direction..preferably downward which is the most convenient for a Morgan driver/passenger.

4. When something is plugged into it, there should be some system that holds the plug tightly in the socket.

5. It should have a method of shutting the socket when not in use to prevent the entry of dirt.

6. It should be conveniently placed.

7. It should be unseen when unneeded.

8. It should be wired so that it is powered whether the ignition is on or off.

PLACEMENT
 

After many false starts I found an item that fits all these "shoulds".  I have wired two into each of my Morgans They are made for the purpose, can mount anywhere (flat, sideways or facing downward. They have a spring door that holds your device's power cord snug in any orientation and they are waterproof. I found them from a USA company called J.C. Whitney, their part number  ZX135763T The outlets are rated to 35 amps which is sufficient for almost any use you can put it to.

I placed mine attached to the rear of the dash, outboard of the steering wheel and facing downward. I placed the another behind the dash attached to the side of the glove box and also facing downward. Neither can be seen when not in use.

WIRING

There are a few watchpoints here. Do you want your power outlet (s) to function with or without the ignition switch turned on. If you want whatever is on the outlet to automatically go off when the ignition is turned off, then you need a wire powered through the ignition (white). If you want the outlet to stay powered at all times, then you need a battery feed (brown). I use one of each.

The biggest issue is choosing a compatible wire with a sufficient rating to run whatever you intend using..ever. Find a hefty wire or use an inline fuse at whatever the rating the original wiring will take.

In my case, I put in a second fusebox to run my "always on" stuff like the CD player/receiver, car computer, clock, alarm. The wires are each chosen for purpose. In most cases, I would recommend one of the headlight wires. They are conveniently placed. They carry a big load. The power goes to the switch first, and only then onto the fusebox. Easy is good. Take the power from there and use an inline fuse on the way to the outlet. Take your earth (ground) from an innocent bolt nearby.  This will give you always-on power. If you try for an ignition wire..please use only a 10 amp fuse.