In general, the concept of the cigarette lighter plug is not a bad idea,
PROVIDED that the wiring from the device requiring power and the wiring to
the socket itself is more than adequate. For 12v related applications, it
is too bad that this is not utlized more. Again, for those who want to
read differently into this, I am saying the concept is a good idea, but
current manufacture of such sockets are less than to be desired.

Ryan-

I agree and disagree. I think it IS a bad idea. As you say, current
manufacture of such sockets is such that it makes a poor connector for the
currents involved.

While you may install sockets to meet your specifications, those installed by
auto manufacturers often are limited by a ten ampere fuse, which means they
were designed for a five ampere load. Many lighter plugs available on the
market, may be adequate for five amperes, but not much more. I recall melting
insulation on the wire to a lighter plug on a car I used to have, and the fuse
never blew. The rig I was using only ran 25 watts output, but it had a
problem!

I agree with the suggestion of Dick - W6CCD. I don't know if the Andersen
Power Pole connectors are a perfect solution, but they are the best, most
readily available mobile power connector I've come across. To test them out, I
recently switched over to West Mountain Radio's smaller "Rig Runner" outlet box
for mobile operation. They certainly are capable of greater current than a
common lighter plug and socket combination. Of course you can bypass the Rig
Runner if you only have one radio to connect. The genderless feature is one of
the things I like about the Power Poles.

After using the Power Poles for a few months, the only drawbacks I've found are
a difficulty in crimping ten guage wire, and the "roll pins" that some
recommend to keep the connector pair from sliding apart, keep falling out. Per
West Mountain's suggestion, I'm now using Super Glue to keep them from sliding
apart, but I'm still looking for a good hand-operated open-terminal crimp tool
for the ten guage connectors.

73, Fred, K4DII

Why not wire in a bank of PowerPoles instead. Much neater and smaller
installation. I use PowerPoles on everything now.

Dick - W6CCD

Because my car has an accessory port and I am not about to go "hamifying" my
car, short of a dualband antenna and a radio with a remote mount head.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
73! de Andy KC2SSB - WPYI880 (GMRS)
Beachwood, NJ USA! Grid FM29vw
http://vhfradiobuff.tripod.com

Why not wire in a bank of PowerPoles instead. Much neater and smaller
installation. I use PowerPoles on everything now.

Dick - W6CCD

Because my car has an accessory port and I am not about to go "hamifying" my
car, short of a dualband antenna and a radio with a remote mount head.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
73! de Andy KC2SSB - WPYI880 (GMRS)
Beachwood, NJ USA! Grid FM29vw
http://vhfradiobuff.tripod.com

Many lighter plugs available on the
market, may be adequate for five amperes, but not much more. I recall
melting
insulation on the wire to a lighter plug on a car I used to have, and the
fuse
never blew. The rig I was using only ran 25 watts output, but it had a
problem!

But again, I am not asking about the CIGARETTE LIGHTER PLUG. I am asking about
the ACCESSORY port in the car, which is supposed to be used to power
"accessories", like inverters, computers, etc. I originally asked for anyone
with actual experience with using 50w FM radios and the accessory port, but I
guess I am the only ham in the world that reads this newsgroup that has wanted
to try this.

If anyone has any factual information for me, preferably actual experience,
please let me know!
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
73! de Andy KC2SSB - WPYI880 (GMRS)
Beachwood, NJ USA! Grid FM29vw
http://vhfradiobuff.tripod.com

Many lighter plugs available on the
market, may be adequate for five amperes, but not much more. I recall
melting
insulation on the wire to a lighter plug on a car I used to have, and the
fuse
never blew. The rig I was using only ran 25 watts output, but it had a
problem!

But again, I am not asking about the CIGARETTE LIGHTER PLUG. I am asking about
the ACCESSORY port in the car, which is supposed to be used to power
"accessories", like inverters, computers, etc. I originally asked for anyone
with actual experience with using 50w FM radios and the accessory port, but I
guess I am the only ham in the world that reads this newsgroup that has wanted
to try this.

If anyone has any factual information for me, preferably actual experience,
please let me know!
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
73! de Andy KC2SSB - WPYI880 (GMRS)
Beachwood, NJ USA! Grid FM29vw
http://vhfradiobuff.tripod.com

On 02 Oct 2003 12:39:14 GMT, pamme (VHFRadioBuff)
wrote:

Why not wire in a bank of PowerPoles instead. Much neater and smaller
installation. I use PowerPoles on everything now.

Dick - W6CCD

Because my car has an accessory port and I am not about to go "hamifying" my
car, short of a dualband antenna and a radio with a remote mount head.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
73! de Andy KC2SSB - WPYI880 (GMRS)
Beachwood, NJ USA! Grid FM29vw
http://vhfradiobuff.tripod.com

I was responding to Andy KC2SSB who said, and I quote, "My next truck,
I am going to wire quite a few of them in there, with adequate wiring,
at least for the stuff requiring 15amps or less, with the source for
those sockets coming from the battery direct."

Dick - W6CCD

On 02 Oct 2003 12:39:14 GMT, pamme (VHFRadioBuff)
wrote:

Why not wire in a bank of PowerPoles instead. Much neater and smaller
installation. I use PowerPoles on everything now.

Dick - W6CCD

Because my car has an accessory port and I am not about to go "hamifying" my
car, short of a dualband antenna and a radio with a remote mount head.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
73! de Andy KC2SSB - WPYI880 (GMRS)
Beachwood, NJ USA! Grid FM29vw
http://vhfradiobuff.tripod.com

I was responding to Andy KC2SSB who said, and I quote, "My next truck,
I am going to wire quite a few of them in there, with adequate wiring,
at least for the stuff requiring 15amps or less, with the source for
those sockets coming from the battery direct."

Dick - W6CCD

I was responding to Andy KC2SSB who said, and I quote, "My next truck,
I am going to wire quite a few of them in there, with adequate wiring,
at least for the stuff requiring 15amps or less, with the source for
those sockets coming from the battery direct."

You weren't replying to ME (KC2SSB), you were replying to someone else.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
73! de Andy KC2SSB - WPYI880 (GMRS)
Beachwood, NJ USA! Grid FM29vw
http://vhfradiobuff.tripod.com

I was responding to Andy KC2SSB who said, and I quote, "My next truck,
I am going to wire quite a few of them in there, with adequate wiring,
at least for the stuff requiring 15amps or less, with the source for
those sockets coming from the battery direct."

You weren't replying to ME (KC2SSB), you were replying to someone else.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
73! de Andy KC2SSB - WPYI880 (GMRS)
Beachwood, NJ USA! Grid FM29vw
http://vhfradiobuff.tripod.com

On 02 Oct 2003 12:43:01 GMT, pamme (VHFRadioBuff)
wrote:

Many lighter plugs available on the
market, may be adequate for five amperes, but not much more. I recall
melting
insulation on the wire to a lighter plug on a car I used to have, and the
fuse
never blew. The rig I was using only ran 25 watts output, but it had a
problem!

But again, I am not asking about the CIGARETTE LIGHTER PLUG. I am asking about
the ACCESSORY port in the car, which is supposed to be used to power
"accessories", like inverters, computers, etc. I originally asked for anyone
with actual experience with using 50w FM radios and the accessory port, but I
guess I am the only ham in the world that reads this newsgroup that has wanted
to try this.

If anyone has any factual information for me, preferably actual experience,
please let me know!

The 2000 MY Saab 9.5 that I drive has a cigarette lighter and a rear
seat cigarette lighter. Since mine did not have the optional ashtrays
in it (interesting concept), it came with dummy plugs in place of the
lighter.

Total drain is limited to 240 watts for both plugs per the manual.

Your owners manual ought to tell you the limits for your car, if not,
then a good dealer should be able to. Worst case is prospecting the
fuse box to see what the fuses are. Most likely, it's paralleled with
the cigarette lighter socket.

I will have the HT powered and bypassing the cigarette lighter, but
the rear one will be running a little portable peltier junction
fridge, which takes a few amps.

Your only problem with the cigarette lighter may be that you pick up
more alternator whine than you'd like. That is one reason why people
suggest wiring directly across the battery, it serves as a big
capacitor.

Harvey


=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
73! de Andy KC2SSB - WPYI880 (GMRS)
Beachwood, NJ USA! Grid FM29vw
http://vhfradiobuff.tripod.com