Forum Discussion

Snowman9000's avatar
Snowman9000
Explorer
Dec 03, 2014

Replace cig lighter outlets with what?

I'm trying to move away from needing cig plugs for 12v items. I've grown to hate them. Big and bulky, unreliable....

My first thought was to set up some Anderson PowerPole pairs, and change the cords on some items from cig plug to PP. It would be cleaner than trying to manage a lot of cig plugs. Anyone done this, and would you do it again?

The other area is charging. We have cig plug chargers for phones and tablets. Phones are direct cig plug to device, or we have cig plugs with USB outlets on the butt end. They work fine, the system isn't broken. Although it still uses the cig plug stuff. But what about using a 12v to USB wall plate? Does it have a parasitic current draw?
  • To answer one of your questions, a 12V to USB port will indeed have a parasitic draw as the voltage regulator in it is always hot. You could install a switch next to it to turn it off.
  • Power Werx has several distribution choices for power poles....I have one on my desk in the house for 12v...For USB chargers you have to watch the current as indicated by others....
  • RoyB's avatar
    RoyB
    Explorer II
    My truck has one dash socket, a socket in the center console and one in the back side of the console for the second seat.

    The dash one turns OFF when the ignition key is pulled and times out. The other two remain hot all the time. I also have a small digital meter size hole in the dash for something. Have no idea what you are suppose to carry in it... I always hought I would get 12VDC digital meter and either velcro or glue in that hole. My truck does not have a DC VOLTAGE indication anywhere. My older truck at least had one in the console menu display but not my newer truck.

    I used the dash socket for my plug-in solar trickle charger on my older truck but since this one turns off I can't use it for that anymore.

    My dash already has two USB sockets built-in. I did plug-in a dual USB for the rear seat area to use.

    My dash 12VDC socket has a nice knob loking door cover so I will leave it as is. The other two will be additional USB sockets...

    The socket inside the center console is used sometimes for one of those RADIO SHACK multiple DC VOLTAGE adapter plugs. That has come in handy a couple of times for charging...

    Roy Ken
  • dockmasterdave wrote:
    I no longer own any cig plug chargers. I have a USB on the front of my stereo that charges my phone in a lot less time than the 110 charger.
    I can charge everything from USB's and it takes a lot less equipment.
    No need to carry chargers anymore, just a USB cord.


    While that might work, I would be very careful on what CURRENT the USB devices CAN draw. I would suspect that a stereo with a USB port is really designed for a USB FLASH MEMORY DEVICE which will typically be much less than 500ma.

    Many phones, tablets and such often draw 1A (1000ma) upwards of 2A (2000ma) and can easily blow out a standard 500 ma USB port if they do not sense what the port capacity is.. When those devices are connected to a PC USB port they will typically drop the draw down to standard USB port current of 500 ma. When that happens it will take considerably longer for the device to charge.

    I suspect however a stereo port may not be detectable by the device and you will be taking a risk of a dead USB port on your stereo..

    Cig lighter USB chargers are a dime a dozen and extremely cheap (as low as $2), buy a few and throw them in your RV drawer and in your vehicle glove box.. Car stereos, not so cheap or easy to replace..
  • I no longer own any cig plug chargers. I have a USB on the front of my stereo that charges my phone in a lot less time than the 110 charger.
    I can charge everything from USB's and it takes a lot less equipment.
    No need to carry chargers anymore, just a USB cord.

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