Cigarette Lighter Socket

[DJE]

Anybody know where I can get a cigarette lighter socket to install on the boat? Lots of 12V gizmos seem to come with plugs to fit these.

<hr width=100% size=1>Better to keep one's mouth shut and be considered a fool than open it and remove all possible doubt.

 

[snowleopard]

expensive ones from chandlers. these are supposedly 'marine' and for all i know some of them are. cheap ones from motor spares shops. vital to wire the case to negative & the centre pin positive as you may damage some gizmos, e.g. mobile phone chargers.

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[bruce]

any marine supply or auto parts store has them...

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[Evadne]

I recall an article some time ago from someone who had melted their laptop plug into a cheapo lighter socket after prolonged use. Something to do with the shape of the sprung centre pin, which made contact not very well, high resistance = overheating, etc., IMO for the sake of a few quid more you might as well get a decent one.

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[Guest]

Maplins, Tandy, Radio access shops, Lex Smiths ...

Halfords, etc. etc.

Basically any Caravan shop will give you excellent ones AND lights / other bits and bobs to plug into them as well !!!!

I use Inflator for dinghy, GPS connector, Mobile phone charger, HandHeld VHF charger etc. etc.

Don't be put off by the harbingers of doom about them !!!!


<hr width=100% size=1>Nigel ... and of course Yahoo groups :
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gps-navigator/

 

[jimi]

Re: Maplins, Tandy, Radio access shops, Lex Smiths ...

At home I've fixed a lighter socket to an old laptop tranformer thingie, very useful for recharging HH vhf,Steamer Scarers etc

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[Eric_Cartman]

Afternoon!

I'd suggest Maplin Electronics (maplin.co.uk). They've a few outlets around, two in Southampton. They sell 20amp jobbies with a nice rubber cover for about a fiver.

They also sell appropriate power cable at a quid a metre and the fusing bits.

Tis worth a try

Eric

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[Georgio]

got one from halfords and not had any problems. Think it cost about 3 squids

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[Talbot]

Mine was free from the scrapyard!

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[silverseal]

Make sure they have brass ( not steel contacts) and rated at about 16 amp max. Most good chandlers charge about a fiver

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[Bejasus]

I have one switched via a 15 amp breaker

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[AlexL]

Maplins - All my boat electrics bits come from Maplins.

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[dickh]

Or try on Ebay - usually lots there.

<hr width=100% size=1>dickh
I'd rather be sailing... /forums/images/icons/smile.gif

 

[Strathglass]

I got a very solid pair of sockets made in stainless, from West marine by mail order.
They are of much better quality yhan any I have seen in the UK

Iain

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[Guest]

Maplins and Matched ....

Make sure you get matched socket and plugs ....... that is for those that you convert to this plug ....

Most appliances that have these plugs should have a choice of centre pin to screw in ..... this is what lets down the combination and the horror stories you hear. Its normally best to use the LONGEST pin screw in to make sure that it really gets contact.

Maplins sockets are fine as longs as you remember this .... use of short pin can be with less contact in some cases.

If you ever have problem with corrosion or lack of contact inside the socket on centre contact .... a little rubbing compound on the pin head - insert plug and rotate a few times to rub the socket contact ..... similarly if its the negative body sleeve ..... of course a tissue folded and wiped around inside after to remove the cleaner ....


<hr width=100% size=1>Nigel ... and of course Yahoo groups :
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gps-navigator/

 

[willowkevin]

Re: Maplins and Matched ....

you can get them from the boat jumbles (theres a web site if you do a search) they're a couple of quid and work !

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