12v cig lighter sockets don't always work

MoodySabre

MoodySabre

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12v cig lighter sockets don\'t always work

This could be boaty (but isn't).

The Belkin FM thingy for the ipod in the car won't work in the cig lighter socket. I took the extension lead that I have on the boat and plugged that into the car socket and the Belkin into that and Bingo. Why doesn't it work direct? Are there different designs? It all looks the same to me. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
 
Re: 12v cig lighter sockets don\'t always work

Roger,
they can be subject to wear and corrosion, also due to age may be slightly off the currently accepted dimensional tolerances.
It can only be one of 2 things -
Not making contact on the tip end, or not making contact in the barrel face.
Try levering out the barrel face tabs slightly and rotate the plug while pushing in.

If not, then best to acquire another one from Maplin or similar.
Note that they come in 10a and 20a ratings these days, due to Transit vans using them for cool boxes, laptops and fans, Best to get the higher rated one I think.
 
Re: 12v cig lighter sockets don\'t always work

Cos they're rubbish. Highly unreliable. I have them in the camper and they are always losing connection when somebody stands up or there is a gust of wind. I don't have any on the boat, except essential ones for phone charging. Everything else is on Dri-plugs. Expensive but utterly reliable.
 
Re: 12v cig lighter sockets don\'t always work

I've got a similar issues in my Honda. I can plug stuff into the ciggy lighter on the dash, or into the socket in the boot. Not into the auxiliary socket in the glove box.

Honda informed me that there are 2 types of sockets, but why does the aux in the boot work but not the aux socket in the glove box???

Damned irritating I call it.
 
Re: 12v cig lighter sockets don\'t always work

As far as I aware there are more than two types, however the main differences are the centre pin lengths, if the wrong length pin is inserted it won't work.

So the plugs need to be matched to the sockets
 
Re: 12v cig lighter sockets don\'t always work

Have a look at the negative side of the socket, and the placing of the negative contact wiper on the plug. If the negative sides are not full length, some plugs negative wiper does not make contact.

Some plugs and sockets negative's do not line up with each-other.

I have one socket on the boat that will work with everything and one that will not work with some plugs.
 
Re: 12v cig lighter sockets don\'t always work

[ QUOTE ]
Cos they're rubbish. Highly unreliable. I have them in the camper and they are always losing connection when somebody stands up or there is a gust of wind. I don't have any on the boat, except essential ones for phone charging. Everything else is on Dri-plugs. Expensive but utterly reliable.

[/ QUOTE ]

Totally agree! I would never, ever, have lighter sockets on my boat. I also use Dri-plugs as they are virtually infallible.
 
Re: 12v cig lighter sockets don\'t always work

There are two basic diameters of main body and two basic lengths of centre pin. Yes there are others - but those 4 will cover just about all.

In Volvos ... if you have a standard ciggy lighter - it doesn't go in, but will in the estate cargo area. You need a slimmer body with the sprung side plates that allow it to slide in.
Some mobile phone chargers and gear actually supply the two different centre pins - which basically screw in via the end plastic plug.
I don't have trouble with them - and I use real cheapo ones as well - could never understand need to spend real dosh on them.
 
Re: 12v cig lighter sockets don\'t always work

Many connectors only have the negative connected to one of the side contacts.
These connectors aren't really suitable for powering appliances. I had thought about designing a backwards compatible mod that would lock into the sockets.
 
Re: 12v cig lighter sockets don\'t always work

[ QUOTE ]
Many connectors only have the negative connected to one of the side contacts.
These connectors aren't really suitable for powering appliances. I had thought about designing a backwards compatible mod that would lock into the sockets.

[/ QUOTE ]

That why you should buy the cheapo ones that have the bent wire that is soldered to the -ve lead and is both sides of the plug. Never have trouble with those. But fancy more expensive ones - UGH !!
 
Re: 12v cig lighter sockets don\'t always work

Interesting to hear the replies to this.
Inside the boat, has anyone tried using the traditional type of 1/4"/ 6.35mm Jack Plug usually used on guitars, for plugging in items?
Not having tried them I would imagine good quality ones would give a good contact and are quick to insert and disconnect, but would they suffer from airborn salt I wonder? Also would they carry required loads?
Looking on websites I can't find a bank of 3 or 4 into 1 sockets other than a 2 into 1 affair. I suppose it would be a case of putting sockets into a face panel with individual fuses a'la amplifiers?
 
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