My dad needs a high capacity cigarette lighter socket (female) to run his portable oxygen concentrator from. The unit needs 15 or 20 amps, so I'm looking for a socket that has the largest gauge wire I can get or one with no wires that I can wire myself. I'd then wire it like a car stereo with a feed directly from the battery.

I'm thinking 12 gauge would be adequate, but I can't find any with beefy wires. Anyone better at Googling for an answer on this than me. Thanks!!!

there ya go. make sure to get a high quality relay. (bosch)

i think this company requires a minimum order. kinda sucks, but stock up on the good stuff!

http://www.delcity.net/delcity/servlet/catalog?parentid=791812&page=1

That doesn't give me any specs that lead me to believe that it's a heavy duty/high current unit.

Philmore tc610? Google search for tc610 lighter and you should find a few places that sell it.
http://www.weisd.com/store2/PHITC610.jpg

Don't even bother with a relay or switch, just hardwire to the battery with a fuse (within 18 inches of the battery) There is no reason to have that on a switching source so don't make it more complicated than needed.

btw, here is a wiring chart for 'ya... 12 gauge is good for 8 feet at 20 amps. It would be sufficient, although 8 gauge would be better if it tends to ever go above 20 amps.

http://www.skingco.com/portable_power/wiring_size_chart.htm

Thanks for that info. I think it might be what I need. I searched for 45 minutes yesterday, but no dice.

I was going to get the exact electrical requirments and then treat it like a car stereo amp, running a lead right off the battery with an adapter.