Auto Electrical question

[happeetxn]

I got tired of having the cell phone charger danging in the cab and having to chase the phone if it slid off of the seat.
So I used the power source to the air pump for the lumbar support under the drivers side seat (constant hot 12volt), cut the cigarette lighter portion off of the cord and spliced in. Now when I connect the charger to the phone I get a message on the screen that reads "Not Charging". I confirmed that I was getting 12 volts (meter read 12.42 - 12.53). Was there something in the cigarette adapter that changed the voltage or amps in the wire to the phone?
Thanks,
Craig

 

[patrickc]

12 volts is 12 volts! There is nothing special about the ciggarette lighter but some of the cell phone charger cords do have a resistor and/or fuse in the lighter plug in. I know with my phone sometimes you have wiggle the connection at the phone to get it to charge properly. (bad connection/dirt in the connector)

 

[zr1pete]

Craig, Your cell phone should be 3 volt technology and I suspect when you cut off the lighter adapter end of you cord you cut off the proper voltage dropping circut needed to charge your phone.

 

[patrickc]

My thoughts exactly!

 

[happeetxn]

Thanks Fellas,
Now for a follow up question. Is there something at Radio Shack or Fry's electronics that I can splice into the line? If not and I go get another car charger is there a correct way to wire this up the way I want.
Appreciate the help,
Craig

 

[bartman]

Thanks Fellas,
Now for a follow up question. Is there something at Radio Shack or Fry's electronics that I can splice into the line? If not and I go get another car charger is there a correct way to wire this up the way I want.
Appreciate the help,
Craig

I, instead of cutting the lighter adapter off, I took it apart and wired to the leads maintaining all "stuff" that came with the unit still intact. Also, since this is DC voltage, you may want to check polarity first before you buy a new charger.

 

[happeetxn]

Thanks Bart. Will do.
Craig

 

[bushpilot]

Instead of cutting up a good (sometimes expensive) cord...
I put an extra (waterproof) outlet under my seat...now i can
use the OUTLET for lots of things...not just my cell phone.

capped outlets are avail. at walmart, radio shack and many
other places for about 5 bucks (at the most)...

if you install an outlet youll be able to charge the next (different
plug type) cell phone you buy.