20 replies to this topic

[pezley]

So I have tried a whole bunch of USB adapters, 1 amp, 2.1 amp. 3 amp etc and none are enough to actually juice a phone. Even when the phone is locked and not in use it might do %10 in an hour. Definitely not enough to attempt to use it as a satnav or similar.

 

Is there any way to test the socket ? how much should it be putting out and as it works, just rubbishly is there anything worth checking ?

 

 

[techieboy]

10-amp fuse (may even be 20-amp) for the cigarette lighter in the boot. I've run a 2.1amp and two 1amp devices concurrently from it, without issue. The socket is fussy about positioning the plug in it though.

 

Gave up twatting about with it and installed some USB charging sockets on my car, as just about everything works via a USB cable nowadays.

[pezley]

10-amp fuse (may even be 20-amp) for the cigarette lighter in the boot. I've run a 2.1amp and two 1amp devices concurrently from it, without issue. The socket is fussy about positioning the plug in it though.

 

Gave up twatting about with it and installed some USB charging sockets on my car, as just about everything works via a USB cable nowadays.

 

This is what I wanted to do, how did you do it ?

 

I'll check I have the right size fuse. I know the socket is wonky but one of the adapters atleast has a light to show it's doing something and it's never been a problem except the charge is as weak as a pussy cat. Might as well be charging via a wet shoe lace

Edited by pezley, 15 January 2014 - 04:06 PM.

[Gorbachov]

I've got a strange problem with the 12v socket. Wasn't working when I got the car, took a while before I bothered to replace the fuse. The socket then worked no problem but then two days later I have a completely flat battery. Got it charged put a meter on it and was pulling over 1 amp with the ignition off. Pulled the fuse out this dropped it to 0.2 amp. Clearly a fault with the socket/wiring. Will prob try changing the socket but not till the weather is a bit nicer.

[slindborg]

It'll be the cheap shitty Usb adaptors you are using. I've used some that can't keep up with the phones discharge rate, and I've used some that will deliver full whack to the device

[pezley]

It'll be the cheap shitty Usb adaptors you are using. I've used some that can't keep up with the phones discharge rate, and I've used some that will deliver full whack to the device

 

Tried expensive incipio ones, Belkin ones and cheap tat ones. All useless  

[-Dab-of-Oppo-]

Simple experiment would be to try a high demand device with the engine off such as an air compressor on the socket if that works you know there should be more than enough juice getting through to power a phone adapter. I would suspect either you have a wrongly rated charger (apple products are particularly fussy) or the prongs on the plug are making poor contact as the OEM socket is a bit loose fitting. See if you can prise them outwards a bit to make it sit tighter.

[jonnyboy]

Bad earth? Most car Chargers are pretty weedy I have this problem constantly with my van as we have a stupid cheap big phone pda that always needs charging.

[Krusty]

Mine did the same, put adaptor in and light would glow but wouldn't charge phone, sat nav etc, it turned out to be a loose connection on back of cigarette socket in the cup holder bit

[Hammy of hamhouse]

Fuses have nothing to do with it , they are there for protection and blow if the current exceeds their value - they do nothing else !

 

Had a similar problem with mine, not making a good enough connection to the socket so it appears to charge, but disconnects from time to time ending up with a flat phone ( or sat nav in my case). A better quality socket should sort it.

 

no idea what Gorbochov is doing !

[techieboy]

This is what I wanted to do, how did you do it ?

 

I fitted dual socket versions of something similar to these, one in the cup holder in place of the OEM socket and then one each side up at the front of the car for sh!t nav/phone use etc.

 

Fuses have nothing to do with it , they are there for protection and blow if the current exceeds their value - they do nothing else !

 

No sh*t. Really? Fcuk me. Who knew.

 

The presence of a 10 or 20 amp fuse would indicate the cigarette lighter circuit is capable of supplying more than 2.1amps that this socket doesn't appear to be delivering. 

[badgerade]

 

This is what I wanted to do, how did you do it ?

 

I fitted dual socket versions of something similar to these, one in the cup holder in place of the OEM socket and then one each side up at the front of the car for sh!t nav/phone use etc.

 

I got a couple of those for our camping trailer (may not be exactly the same, but very similar).  Turns out that despite the high output, they wouldn't charge the kids iPods or the wifes iPhone.  Worked fine on my S3 though.. guess who was Mr popular for that week

[Gorbachov]

  no idea what Gorbochov is doing ![/quote] I'm not doing anything other than trying to get my 12v socket to work without killing my battery. I'm assuming that the socket is somehow making a connection therefore draining the battery. Can't be a dead short because that would clearly blow the fuse. I fit electrics to helicopters for a living so I'm pretty confident I can sort this but can't be bothered whilst the weather is bad as I have no garrage.

[siztenboots]

I had a weak 20A yellow blade fuse that would power a tomtom, but not my tyre air compressor , replaced the fuse and no more weak current problems.

[ghand]

Mine was crap, now wedged in with a bit of cut off cable tie and been fine ever since, I always do a professional job.

[Hammy of hamhouse]

Sorry Gorbi - didn't read your post correctly ! Apologies

[XXX]

It's probably the charger you are using. I bought a shitty cheap charger and my phone discharged when on charge ie the phone was using charge quicker than the charger was delivering it. Display on phone said "charging USB". Changed to proper HTC charger and phone now shows "charging A/C" and charges properly quick.

 

That's as techical as you are gonna get from me.....

[Gorbachov]

No worries hammy

[jakepeg]

Does the ciggie charger not get its power off the small battery in the boot space? Mine went flat years ago and hence no juice to this output. Think from memory they are Bosch motorbike batteries.

[-Dab-of-Oppo-]

Does the ciggie charger not get its power off the small battery in the boot space?

No.