Cigerette lighter

[PALY]

Hello all
I've got a double socket plug that i put into my ciggerette lighter socket.

I bought it from Maplins.I use it for my satnav and my coolbox at the same time

now and then.After using it recently my Maplins double socket burnt out.

After a few days i stuck one plug in the lighter socket for my coolbox.

Although it works,the plug was very hot.

Your replys will be much appreciated. regards Paly

 

[arcascomp]

Well surely it needs to get hot to light a cigarette!

Sorry Paly, no real idea, but it would suggest that whatever you are plugging in is drawing too much power for the socket/wiring. No idea what the rating would be for this though.

 

[kitchenman]

My cool box is rated at around 40 watts so no more than 4 amps W=AxV
dave

 

[christof30]

Could be a loose fit giving a bad connection in the socket creating a resistance after all they are one size fits all type things.

Is the adaptor rated for a specific cuerrent?

Possible been unlucky and got two poor adapters?

 

[rustic]

My cool box is rated at around 40 watts so no more than 4 amps W=AxV
dave

Most are around 60 watts, so 5 amps, personally I wouldn't use the adaptors for high current devices, ok for sat nav, mp3, phone chargers etc.

Might be better to hard wire a second socket, that's what I have done.

The heat is caused by poor connection on the centre pin, the plug is always trying to disconnect itself, by pushing out.
If you look at a cig lighter, it doesn't connect on the centre pin, but on the outside ring.
So you could do with a plug that does the same.

Best regards, Rustic

 

[makeitfit]

Some of the older cool boxes were proper battery drainers, so if your's is an old one it could well be drawing a reasonable load through a dodge plug/socket.
Check it's rating and put a dedicated fridge socket somewhere :thumbs

 

[supergnome]

Quick test. In the dark, turn on ignition and headlights. then plug in coolbox. If lights go dimmer its drawing a lot of current. Get another new one, low current or risk charring your wiring. David.

 

[PALY]

All your replys have been first class.

Thanks very much. regards paly