Winnipesaukee Forum - View Single Post

SIKSUKR · 08-11-2014, 01:12 PM

This article refers to the recepticle but its seems relevent.

Problems with Using an Automotive 12V Socket

Since cigarette lighter receptacles weren’t originally intended for use as accessory sockets, there are a few inherent issues with using them in that capacity. Accordingly, devices that are designed to use a 12V socket have to be capable of working around these shortcomings.

The biggest issue with using a cigarette lighter receptacle as a 12V socket is the size (inner diameter and depth) of the receptacle itself. Since there is some variation in the size of a receptacle (sometimes referred to as a can), 12V power plugs typically have spring-loaded contacts. That allows them to maintain electrical contact within a given range of tolerances, but it also means that the plug may lose electrical contact from time to time.

08-11-2014, 01:12 PM	#11
SIKSUKR Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 5,075 Thanks: 215 Thanked 903 Times in 509 Posts	This article refers to the recepticle but its seems relevent. Problems with Using an Automotive 12V Socket Since cigarette lighter receptacles weren’t originally intended for use as accessory sockets, there are a few inherent issues with using them in that capacity. Accordingly, devices that are designed to use a 12V socket have to be capable of working around these shortcomings. The biggest issue with using a cigarette lighter receptacle as a 12V socket is the size (inner diameter and depth) of the receptacle itself. Since there is some variation in the size of a receptacle (sometimes referred to as a can), 12V power plugs typically have spring-loaded contacts. That allows them to maintain electrical contact within a given range of tolerances, but it also means that the plug may lose electrical contact from time to time. __________________ SIKSUKR