Many lighter plugs available on the
market, may be adequate for five amperes, but not much more. I recall
melting
insulation on the wire to a lighter plug on a car I used to have, and the
fuse
never blew. The rig I was using only ran 25 watts output, but it had a
problem!

But again, I am not asking about the CIGARETTE LIGHTER PLUG. I am asking about
the ACCESSORY port in the car, which is supposed to be used to power
"accessories", like inverters, computers, etc. I originally asked for anyone
with actual experience with using 50w FM radios and the accessory port, but I
guess I am the only ham in the world that reads this newsgroup that has wanted
to try this.

If anyone has any factual information for me, preferably actual experience,
please let me know!
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
73! de Andy KC2SSB - WPYI880 (GMRS)
Beachwood, NJ USA! Grid FM29vw
http://vhfradiobuff.tripod.com

On 02 Oct 2003 12:43:01 GMT, pamme (VHFRadioBuff)
wrote:

Many lighter plugs available on the
market, may be adequate for five amperes, but not much more. I recall
melting
insulation on the wire to a lighter plug on a car I used to have, and the
fuse
never blew. The rig I was using only ran 25 watts output, but it had a
problem!

But again, I am not asking about the CIGARETTE LIGHTER PLUG. I am asking about
the ACCESSORY port in the car, which is supposed to be used to power
"accessories", like inverters, computers, etc. I originally asked for anyone
with actual experience with using 50w FM radios and the accessory port, but I
guess I am the only ham in the world that reads this newsgroup that has wanted
to try this.

In my Chevy van, the owner's manual rates the cigarette lighter at 20
amps, the accessory power outlets at 25 amps. Check your owner's
manual -- it should give you a maximum rating under something like
"accessory power outlets" or whatever.

Then check your transceiver manual, and see how many amps the rig
pulls at 50 watts fm...

Finally, you can just try it, and see if the plug gets warm or hot...

Bob
k5qwg


If anyone has any factual information for me, preferably actual experience,
please let me know!
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
73! de Andy KC2SSB - WPYI880 (GMRS)
Beachwood, NJ USA! Grid FM29vw
http://vhfradiobuff.tripod.com

On 02 Oct 2003 12:43:01 GMT, pamme (VHFRadioBuff)
wrote:

Many lighter plugs available on the
market, may be adequate for five amperes, but not much more. I recall
melting
insulation on the wire to a lighter plug on a car I used to have, and the
fuse
never blew. The rig I was using only ran 25 watts output, but it had a
problem!

But again, I am not asking about the CIGARETTE LIGHTER PLUG. I am asking about
the ACCESSORY port in the car, which is supposed to be used to power
"accessories", like inverters, computers, etc. I originally asked for anyone
with actual experience with using 50w FM radios and the accessory port, but I
guess I am the only ham in the world that reads this newsgroup that has wanted
to try this.

In my Chevy van, the owner's manual rates the cigarette lighter at 20
amps, the accessory power outlets at 25 amps. Check your owner's
manual -- it should give you a maximum rating under something like
"accessory power outlets" or whatever.

Then check your transceiver manual, and see how many amps the rig
pulls at 50 watts fm...

Finally, you can just try it, and see if the plug gets warm or hot...

Bob
k5qwg


If anyone has any factual information for me, preferably actual experience,
please let me know!
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
73! de Andy KC2SSB - WPYI880 (GMRS)
Beachwood, NJ USA! Grid FM29vw
http://vhfradiobuff.tripod.com

On 02 Oct 2003 12:43:01 GMT, pamme (VHFRadioBuff)
wrote:

Many lighter plugs available on the
market, may be adequate for five amperes, but not much more. I recall
melting
insulation on the wire to a lighter plug on a car I used to have, and the
fuse
never blew. The rig I was using only ran 25 watts output, but it had a
problem!

But again, I am not asking about the CIGARETTE LIGHTER PLUG. I am asking about
the ACCESSORY port in the car, which is supposed to be used to power
"accessories", like inverters, computers, etc. I originally asked for anyone
with actual experience with using 50w FM radios and the accessory port, but I
guess I am the only ham in the world that reads this newsgroup that has wanted
to try this.

If anyone has any factual information for me, preferably actual experience,
please let me know!

The 2000 MY Saab 9.5 that I drive has a cigarette lighter and a rear
seat cigarette lighter. Since mine did not have the optional ashtrays
in it (interesting concept), it came with dummy plugs in place of the
lighter.

Total drain is limited to 240 watts for both plugs per the manual.

Your owners manual ought to tell you the limits for your car, if not,
then a good dealer should be able to. Worst case is prospecting the
fuse box to see what the fuses are. Most likely, it's paralleled with
the cigarette lighter socket.

I will have the HT powered and bypassing the cigarette lighter, but
the rear one will be running a little portable peltier junction
fridge, which takes a few amps.

Your only problem with the cigarette lighter may be that you pick up
more alternator whine than you'd like. That is one reason why people
suggest wiring directly across the battery, it serves as a big
capacitor.

Harvey


=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
73! de Andy KC2SSB - WPYI880 (GMRS)
Beachwood, NJ USA! Grid FM29vw
http://vhfradiobuff.tripod.com

On 02 Oct 2003 12:43:01 GMT, pamme (VHFRadioBuff)
wrote:

Many lighter plugs available on the
market, may be adequate for five amperes, but not much more. I recall
melting
insulation on the wire to a lighter plug on a car I used to have, and the
fuse
never blew. The rig I was using only ran 25 watts output, but it had a
problem!

But again, I am not asking about the CIGARETTE LIGHTER PLUG. I am asking about
the ACCESSORY port in the car, which is supposed to be used to power
"accessories", like inverters, computers, etc. I originally asked for anyone
with actual experience with using 50w FM radios and the accessory port, but I
guess I am the only ham in the world that reads this newsgroup that has wanted
to try this.

If anyone has any factual information for me, preferably actual experience,
please let me know!

The 2000 MY Saab 9.5 that I drive has a cigarette lighter and a rear
seat cigarette lighter. Since mine did not have the optional ashtrays
in it (interesting concept), it came with dummy plugs in place of the
lighter.

Total drain is limited to 240 watts for both plugs per the manual.

Your owners manual ought to tell you the limits for your car, if not,
then a good dealer should be able to. Worst case is prospecting the
fuse box to see what the fuses are. Most likely, it's paralleled with
the cigarette lighter socket.

I will have the HT powered and bypassing the cigarette lighter, but
the rear one will be running a little portable peltier junction
fridge, which takes a few amps.

Your only problem with the cigarette lighter may be that you pick up
more alternator whine than you'd like. That is one reason why people
suggest wiring directly across the battery, it serves as a big
capacitor.

Harvey


=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
73! de Andy KC2SSB - WPYI880 (GMRS)
Beachwood, NJ USA! Grid FM29vw
http://vhfradiobuff.tripod.com

But again, I am not asking about the CIGARETTE LIGHTER PLUG. I am asking
about
the ACCESSORY port in the car, which is supposed to be used to power
"accessories", like inverters, computers, etc.

Andy-

I had assumed that the accessory port used the common lighter sockets as power
connectors. If that is not true, perhaps they use a connector that would be
better for general high current use. Please elaborate.

If it does use lighter sockets, that was the basis for my suggestion to use
something different where more than 4 or 5 amps of current is involved. Yes,
that would result in "hamifying" your vehicle, but it would provide the
capability for higher current equipment.

You mention inverters being used with the accessory port. A common inverter
would be one like Radio Shack's 300 watt unit. Fully loaded, it might draw
about 25 Amps. Although your accessory port may be rated for more than 25 Amps
total, I don't think it is a good idea to draw that much out of any one lighter
socket connector.

73, Fred, K4DII

I think the most important thing here is to find out what your
particular vehicle shows in the specifications for those accessory
ports. There are obvious differences between vehicles. Our 2003
Honda Accord, for example, has two accessory sockets and no cigarette
lighter socket. They can each provide 10-amps (120 watts), but not
simultaneously. The total power between the two is still 120 watts,
so they are obviously on the same circuit. We would have to have the
owner's manual to your vehicle to answer your question.

Dick - W6CCD

On 04 Oct 2003 18:53:32 GMT, (Fred McKenzie) wrote:

But again, I am not asking about the CIGARETTE LIGHTER PLUG. I am asking
about
the ACCESSORY port in the car, which is supposed to be used to power
"accessories", like inverters, computers, etc.

Andy-

I think the most important thing here is to find out what your
particular vehicle shows in the specifications for those accessory
ports. There are obvious differences between vehicles. Our 2003
Honda Accord, for example, has two accessory sockets and no cigarette
lighter socket. They can each provide 10-amps (120 watts), but not
simultaneously. The total power between the two is still 120 watts,
so they are obviously on the same circuit. We would have to have the
owner's manual to your vehicle to answer your question.

Dick - W6CCD

On 04 Oct 2003 18:53:32 GMT, (Fred McKenzie) wrote:

But again, I am not asking about the CIGARETTE LIGHTER PLUG. I am asking
about
the ACCESSORY port in the car, which is supposed to be used to power
"accessories", like inverters, computers, etc.

Andy-

I had assumed that the accessory port used the common lighter sockets as
power
connectors. If that is not true, perhaps they use a connector that would be
better for general high current use. Please elaborate.

The accessory port I am refering to is seperate from the cigarette lighter. As
a matter of fact, the owner's manual says not to use the cigarette lighter plug
for anything other than the cigarette lighter. There is no rating in the book
or on the cap for the accessory port that tells the max amps that can be drawn.
It looks like I'll have to run wires to the battery after all.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
73! de Andy KC2SSB - WPYI880 (GMRS)
Beachwood, NJ USA! Grid FM29vw
http://vhfradiobuff.tripod.com

"VHFRadioBuff" wrote in message
... for anything other
than the cigarette lighter. There is no rating in the book
or on the cap for the accessory port that tells the max amps that can be
drawn.
It looks like I'll have to run wires to the battery after all.

In the manual it should say what fuse covers what circuit, and what it's
amperage is. My guess is your acc. port is a 20A circuit.