The cigarette lighter is a special coaxial socket in the passenger compartment of the vehicle. The voltage from the on-board network is output to it. Using this outlet, you can not only power various radio devices, but also charge their batteries.
Instructions
Step 1
Regardless of which vehicle you use, pull out the special insert with a heating element from the cigarette lighter socket, which is designed for lighting cigarettes, and due to which this outlet got its name. It is best not to take this insert on a trip at all, so that neither you nor your fellow travelers will be tempted to smoke.
Step 2
Find out what is the voltage of the on-board network in your vehicle. It can be equal to 12 or 24 V. The latter is more typical for large cars, buses. In most cases, the voltage in the cigarette lighter socket is equal to that of the entire on-board network. But there are exceptions - in some buses, this outlet is supplied with 12 V from a stabilizer. In this case, there is a sticker next to it with the appropriate marking.
Step 3
Find out the maximum load current of the cigarette lighter. To do this, find in the machine manual for the location of the corresponding fuse and its rating. Then locate this fuse on the machine and make sure it does not exceed the rating specified in the instructions. If it turns out that a larger insert is installed, replace it.
Step 4
Check out the cigarette lighter pinout: ring contact - minus, pin - plus.
Step 5
Connect any loads to the cigarette lighter through special coaxial plugs. The use of bare wires, probes, crocodiles and other surrogates is not allowed. The plug must have a built-in fuse. When powering devices that are sensitive to voltage surges, remember that there are those in the cigarette lighter socket. Connect them not directly, but through stabilizers with filters.
Step 6
Charge the batteries of cell phones and navigators from the cigarette lighter only using chargers of a special design. Each of them is made in a single housing with a coaxial plug. Inside there is a stabilizer that completely simulates charging the device from a mains charger. A wire with a plug that matches the power socket of the device is connected to it.
Step 7
If the charger breaks, unscrew the special ring located around the pin contact. Replace the blown fuse with another of the same rating. If the problem is not in the fuse, open the device, shorten it slightly, and then solder it into the board, observing the polarity according to the colors of the conductors (remember what it was like before soldering the old fragment of the cord). Then reassemble the device, avoiding short circuits.
Step 8
After stopping the engine, unplug the charger from the outlet so that it does not drain the vehicle's battery and attract the attention of intruders.
