Cobra Handheld Charger

[Stemar]

I installed one of these on Jazzcat. It worked fine before I started messing around, but the big cigar lighter plug was a nuisance, and I wanted to wire it in. The socket on the back is clearly labelled 12V 200ma, but the 3 amp fuse I put in the circuit blew instantly. suggesting a current of at least 6 amps. No, there isn't a short circuit in the supply. I wondered if it needed a bigger fuse, or a slow-blow one to cope with an initial surge, here don't seem to be any big capacitors inside to justify a high initial draw, and Idiot knew he wasn't going to use the plug, so it's been irretrievably binned, so no help there.

Any suggestions to get it going again, or do I need a new charger?

 

[ghostlymoron]

Is the fuse designed for 240v ? Or you could just fit a bigger fuse till it doesn't blow. I like having a cigar lighter fuse so I can charge the Cobra in the car on the way over to the boat.

 

[Stemar]

It's a blade fuse, commonly used in cars.

Anyway, I've tracked down a replacement lead, which is described as a charger. so I think there must be some gubbins in the plug to reduce the voltage. Either that, or the holder has fried. I'll find out when I get it. There might be just one in the country!

All the same, it does seem to be a bit naughty to label the socket 12v 200ma if it actually wants 3V or whatever.