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.

"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.

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