Backgrounder: Where can one get a decent (i.e., robust)
general-purpose automotive cigarette lighter plug/tap? I have some
equipment which draws some amps at 12VDC. I'd like to install them in
my car on a temporary basis from time to time and use the cigarette
lighter receptacle as the power source. 2M mobile xcvrs being typical,
10 amps for a 50 watter, etc. One has a radio or whatever and one has
the specific power cable for the whatever. The problem (MY problem at
least) comes at the far end of the power cable, the widget, the plug
which connects the input end of the power cable to the volts and amps
inside the cigarette lighter receptacle. I've been to Radio Slack,
I've been to Pep Boys and I've been to HRO. The *CRAP* plugs RS and
Pep sell for this purpose are giggle-level JUNK. No surprise there of
course. As if I'll be able pull 10 amps thru the #26 wire they supply
with their plugs . . the HRO guy told me to try a hamfest. "Thanks Bob
but it's eight degrees F here, maybe I can find a warmer hamfest
tomorrow".

I have a borrowed example of a plug which should do the job in front
of me right now. The front end is typical, a spring-loaded centered
plunger for the plus side contact and two opposing leaf springs for
the ground side contacts, internal AGC fuse. At the aft end there two
nice big red/black screw-down terminal posts of the usual design which
can accomodate up to #10 wire, maybe even #8. Nicely finished, quality
piece. The only markings on it are a 5.9+mm patent number which has
been dinged and can't be read.

(A) Does anyone out there know where one can buy these?
(B) Or have a source for a similar alternative plug?
(c) Ignoring the fuse ratings how many amps can auotomotive cigarette
lighter receptacles supply before they become toast? What are the
standards/limits? Versus having to punch #8 wire thru the firewall and
do it right?

TNX a bunch, Brian W3RV

On 10 Jan 2004 15:48:18 -0800, (Brian Kelly) wrote:



(A) Does anyone out there know where one can buy these?
(B) Or have a source for a similar alternative plug?
(c) Ignoring the fuse ratings how many amps can auotomotive cigarette
lighter receptacles supply before they become toast? What are the
standards/limits? Versus having to punch #8 wire thru the firewall and
do it right?

TNX a bunch, Brian W3RV

There's no single standard for all vehicles.

Your vehicle owner's manual should tell you how many amps your
particular cigarette lighter circuit will safely provide, and an extra
robust plug may exceed the capapabilities of that circuit, or exceed
the specs on the fuses for that circuit. The fuse specs should be in
the owner's manual, too, or you should be able to track the fuses down
yourself.

Most firewalls have one or more unused holes -- it's just a matter of
finding the grommit, and pulling it out.

Bob
k5qwg

Bob Miller wrote in message . ..
On 10 Jan 2004 15:48:18 -0800, (Brian Kelly) wrote:



(A) Does anyone out there know where one can buy these?
(B) Or have a source for a similar alternative plug?
(c) Ignoring the fuse ratings how many amps can auotomotive cigarette
lighter receptacles supply before they become toast? What are the
standards/limits? Versus having to punch #8 wire thru the firewall and
do it right?

TNX a bunch, Brian W3RV

There's no single standard for all vehicles.

Your vehicle owner's manual should tell you how many amps your
particular cigarette lighter circuit will safely provide, and an extra
robust plug may exceed the capapabilities of that circuit, or exceed
the specs on the fuses for that circuit. The fuse specs should be in
the owner's manual, too, or you should be able to track the fuses down
yourself.

Most firewalls have one or more unused holes -- it's just a matter of
finding the grommit, and pulling it out.

I checked my own car last week and the circuit is fused for 15 amps. I
was just wondering if 15 amps is some sort of "standard".

I've done #8 zip cord thru firewalls installations but that's not a
consideration in this instance. I want to be able to occasionally move
my equipment from vehicle to vehicle without having to run a power
cable all the way to the battery. It's apparently done all the time
with a ten amp plug. Back to square one . .



Bob
k5qwg

Brian w3rv

In article (Brian Kelly) writes:

I checked my own car last week and the circuit is fused for 15 amps. I
was just wondering if 15 amps is some sort of "standard".

I've done #8 zip cord thru firewalls installations but that's not a
consideration in this instance. I want to be able to occasionally move
my equipment from vehicle to vehicle without having to run a power
cable all the way to the battery. It's apparently done all the time
with a ten amp plug. Back to square one . .

VW seems to use a 20 amp fuse for the lighter -- at least in the Jetta.

The problem seems to be voltage drop -- perhaps they can handle 20
amps, but there is still voltage drop -- even 10 amps had a good deal
of voltage drop.


Alan
wa6azp

In article (Brian Kelly) writes:

I checked my own car last week and the circuit is fused for 15 amps. I
was just wondering if 15 amps is some sort of "standard".

I've done #8 zip cord thru firewalls installations but that's not a
consideration in this instance. I want to be able to occasionally move
my equipment from vehicle to vehicle without having to run a power
cable all the way to the battery. It's apparently done all the time
with a ten amp plug. Back to square one . .

VW seems to use a 20 amp fuse for the lighter -- at least in the Jetta.

The problem seems to be voltage drop -- perhaps they can handle 20
amps, but there is still voltage drop -- even 10 amps had a good deal
of voltage drop.


Alan
wa6azp

Bob Miller wrote in message . ..
On 10 Jan 2004 15:48:18 -0800, (Brian Kelly) wrote:



(A) Does anyone out there know where one can buy these?
(B) Or have a source for a similar alternative plug?
(c) Ignoring the fuse ratings how many amps can auotomotive cigarette
lighter receptacles supply before they become toast? What are the
standards/limits? Versus having to punch #8 wire thru the firewall and
do it right?

TNX a bunch, Brian W3RV

There's no single standard for all vehicles.

Your vehicle owner's manual should tell you how many amps your
particular cigarette lighter circuit will safely provide, and an extra
robust plug may exceed the capapabilities of that circuit, or exceed
the specs on the fuses for that circuit. The fuse specs should be in
the owner's manual, too, or you should be able to track the fuses down
yourself.

Most firewalls have one or more unused holes -- it's just a matter of
finding the grommit, and pulling it out.

I checked my own car last week and the circuit is fused for 15 amps. I
was just wondering if 15 amps is some sort of "standard".

I've done #8 zip cord thru firewalls installations but that's not a
consideration in this instance. I want to be able to occasionally move
my equipment from vehicle to vehicle without having to run a power
cable all the way to the battery. It's apparently done all the time
with a ten amp plug. Back to square one . .



Bob
k5qwg

Brian w3rv

On 10 Jan 2004 15:48:18 -0800, (Brian Kelly) wrote:

Backgrounder: Where can one get a decent (i.e., robust)
general-purpose automotive cigarette lighter plug/tap? I have some
equipment which draws some amps at 12VDC. I'd like to install them in
my car on a temporary basis from time to time and use the cigarette
lighter receptacle as the power source. 2M mobile xcvrs being typical,
10 amps for a 50 watter, etc. One has a radio or whatever and one has
the specific power cable for the whatever. The problem (MY problem at
least) comes at the far end of the power cable, the widget, the plug
which connects the input end of the power cable to the volts and amps
inside the cigarette lighter receptacle. I've been to Radio Slack,
I've been to Pep Boys and I've been to HRO. The *CRAP* plugs RS and
Pep sell for this purpose are giggle-level JUNK. No surprise there of
course. As if I'll be able pull 10 amps thru the #26 wire they supply
with their plugs . . the HRO guy told me to try a hamfest. "Thanks Bob
but it's eight degrees F here, maybe I can find a warmer hamfest
tomorrow".

I have a borrowed example of a plug which should do the job in front
of me right now. The front end is typical, a spring-loaded centered
plunger for the plus side contact and two opposing leaf springs for
the ground side contacts, internal AGC fuse. At the aft end there two
nice big red/black screw-down terminal posts of the usual design which
can accomodate up to #10 wire, maybe even #8. Nicely finished, quality
piece. The only markings on it are a 5.9+mm patent number which has
been dinged and can't be read.

(A) Does anyone out there know where one can buy these?
(B) Or have a source for a similar alternative plug?
(c) Ignoring the fuse ratings how many amps can auotomotive cigarette
lighter receptacles supply before they become toast? What are the
standards/limits? Versus having to punch #8 wire thru the firewall and
do it right?

TNX a bunch, Brian W3RV


Try a I know it will sound strange, but try a truckstop. Semi's have
all sorts of accessories that plug into cig lighter or accy. plugs, so
truckstops usually carry a good adapter and other items along that
line.

73 de Keith
--
KC8TCQ
ARRL Member - ARES
SKYWARN

Keith Hosman wrote in message . ..
On 10 Jan 2004 15:48:18 -0800, (Brian Kelly) wrote:

I have a borrowed example of a plug . . .

(A) Does anyone out there know where one can buy these?
(B) Or have a source for a similar alternative plug?
(c) Ignoring the fuse ratings how many amps can auotomotive cigarette
lighter receptacles supply before they become toast? What are the
standards/limits? Versus having to punch #8 wire thru the firewall and
do it right?

TNX a bunch, Brian W3RV


Try a I know it will sound strange, but try a truckstop. Semi's have
all sorts of accessories that plug into cig lighter or accy. plugs, so
truckstops usually carry a good adapter and other items along that
line.

Not strange at all Keith. I borrowed the nice plug I described above
from an over-the-road trucker & ham buddy who picked it up at some
truck stop mobile electronics boutique. These guys really put their
lighter receptacles to work and they can't afford to mess around with
junk. But he drives 4,000 miles/week and at this point he has no idea
where he got it so I'm sort of stuck unless I go Interstate crawling.

Back to Google . . they gotta be out there.

Heh.


73 de Keith

Brian w3rv

Have you tried Digi-Key, Mouser, Newark, etc.?

Have you tried looking for an internet Truckstop? Surely someone, somewhere
has such a beast?

Finally, it never hurts to _call_ these places. Some will just brush you
off, but some may be willing to tell you about what they have, and keep you
from crawling all over the US interstate system looking for the right part.

Let us know what you find -- I'd like to know where to get these things,
too.

----------------------------------
Tim Wescott, KG7LI

"Brian Kelly" wrote in message
m...
Keith Hosman wrote in
message . ..
On 10 Jan 2004 15:48:18 -0800, (Brian Kelly) wrote:

I have a borrowed example of a plug . . .

(A) Does anyone out there know where one can buy these?
(B) Or have a source for a similar alternative plug?
(c) Ignoring the fuse ratings how many amps can auotomotive cigarette
lighter receptacles supply before they become toast? What are the
standards/limits? Versus having to punch #8 wire thru the firewall and
do it right?

TNX a bunch, Brian W3RV


Try a I know it will sound strange, but try a truckstop. Semi's have
all sorts of accessories that plug into cig lighter or accy. plugs, so
truckstops usually carry a good adapter and other items along that
line.

Not strange at all Keith. I borrowed the nice plug I described above
from an over-the-road trucker & ham buddy who picked it up at some
truck stop mobile electronics boutique. These guys really put their
lighter receptacles to work and they can't afford to mess around with
junk. But he drives 4,000 miles/week and at this point he has no idea
where he got it so I'm sort of stuck unless I go Interstate crawling.

Back to Google . . they gotta be out there.

Heh.


73 de Keith

Brian w3rv

Have you tried Digi-Key, Mouser, Newark, etc.?

Have you tried looking for an internet Truckstop? Surely someone, somewhere
has such a beast?

Finally, it never hurts to _call_ these places. Some will just brush you
off, but some may be willing to tell you about what they have, and keep you
from crawling all over the US interstate system looking for the right part.

Let us know what you find -- I'd like to know where to get these things,
too.

----------------------------------
Tim Wescott, KG7LI

"Brian Kelly" wrote in message
m...
Keith Hosman wrote in
message . ..
On 10 Jan 2004 15:48:18 -0800, (Brian Kelly) wrote:

I have a borrowed example of a plug . . .

(A) Does anyone out there know where one can buy these?
(B) Or have a source for a similar alternative plug?
(c) Ignoring the fuse ratings how many amps can auotomotive cigarette
lighter receptacles supply before they become toast? What are the
standards/limits? Versus having to punch #8 wire thru the firewall and
do it right?

TNX a bunch, Brian W3RV


Try a I know it will sound strange, but try a truckstop. Semi's have
all sorts of accessories that plug into cig lighter or accy. plugs, so
truckstops usually carry a good adapter and other items along that
line.

Not strange at all Keith. I borrowed the nice plug I described above
from an over-the-road trucker & ham buddy who picked it up at some
truck stop mobile electronics boutique. These guys really put their
lighter receptacles to work and they can't afford to mess around with
junk. But he drives 4,000 miles/week and at this point he has no idea
where he got it so I'm sort of stuck unless I go Interstate crawling.

Back to Google . . they gotta be out there.

Heh.


73 de Keith

Brian w3rv