Car fag lighters

[fixitflav]

My brother has a 1997 Volvo, and wants to use the lighter socket to charge his phone. We tried a standard adaptor with USB port and it didn't work. Assumed it wasn't getting power, but the lighter (which came with the car) worked fine. Turned out the adaptor has a central spring-loaded contact, different from the lighter. The adaptor works in my 2017 Hyundai and did in a 2004 Mondeo, so it seems the design of the socket has changed.
Anybody know if a USB adaptor for the old-style socket is available? I asked in my local shop and got a blank look. Or a lighter for a modern car, if anybody wanted one?

 

[carmanmemoranda]

I understand what you're saying, but I've never seen that issue.

Halfords or any local car accessory place should be able to help if you take the car so they can see.

Sure your adaptor hasn't got a blown fuse inside it ?

 

[johnny2007]

Tell your brother to start smoking so he will make good use of the lighter.

 

[fixitflav]

Sure your adaptor hasn't got a blown fuse inside it ?

Yes, I'm sure, it works fine in my car. I'll try Halfords next time I'm over that way

 

[Rodders53]

There are / were two 12V socket standards if I remember correctly... one a smaller diameter than the other... https://www.roadking.co.uk/plugs-and-connectors.html has some examples.
Pic of the cigarette lighter against a ruler may help?
Along with one of the adapter that doesn't work in the Volvo.

IIRC the centre area of lighter sockets could get carbonised and then be non-conductive... So a good look in the socket may be in order as well.

A wired in USB socket panel may provide a better solution?

 

[fixitflav]

All the ones I've ever come across have been the same diameter, 21mm. Pic of the adaptor attached, I haven't got the lighter to hand, bro doesn't live near me.
I'm fairly sure there is no centre contact on the lighter, both peripheral, one of them making contact when it's pushed in.
Thanks anyway

 

[foxhole]

Had a lots of Volvo’s all had standard lighter sockets , often two or three .Spring loaded adapters are standard the pin often also a fuse . They are sprung to maintain a good connection .

 

[Brigadier]

A wired in USB socket panel may provide a better solution?

But of no use for a tyre inflator?

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

I'm fairly sure there is no centre contact on the lighter, both peripheral, one of them making contact when it's pushed in.

The plug in your photo, does have a centre contact? As others have suggested, it could be just carbon build-up on the terminal in the socket. None of the ciggy plugs and sockets, are particularly reliable in making contact, I find most need a bit of waggling about and adjustment of the plug, to get a proper contact.

 

[fixitflav]

The plug in your photo, does have a centre contact?

Yes, that's the USB adaptor, the lighter doesn't have it. Thinking about it, I don't see how it could have, as it has a flat surface about 18mm dia which gets red hot to do the biz. My guess is the later type with the centre contact is just for USB and other accessories, and can't accommodate a cig lighter Or if it did it would be a different design of lighter from the ones I've seen.

 

[Tigercubrider]

My 2001 Volvo worked fine with a usb adaptor, I have a feeling the power comes from the side?

 

[fixitflav]

Had a lots of Volvo’s all had standard lighter sockets , often two or three .Spring loaded adapters are standard the pin often also a fuse . They are sprung to maintain a good connection .

But did they work with a USB adaptor?

 

[fixitflav]

My 2001 Volvo worked fine with a usb adaptor

But did it have a cig lighter?

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

My guess is the later type with the centre contact is just for USB and other accessories, and can't accommodate a cig lighter Or if it did it would be a different design of lighter from the ones I've seen.

As I understand the socket - the centre contact, is a flat strip, with a curled edge at either end, which latches on the outer of the edge of the element, when the light is pushed in against the spring. The strip is bi-metal, so it distorts and releases the ciggy lighter, once hot, powered by the spring. The centre of the heating coil, connects to the metal surround, forming the other connection.

 

[foxhole]

But did they work with a USB adaptor?

Yes.Very straightforward to replace with a new socket .