wiring a cig lighter

[dave2222]

hi my van cig lighter has being wired from the battery and works but when i plug my sat nav or tv in it blows the fuse,i have tried wiring it from the fuse box but the same happens so theres obviously too many amps/volts coming through is there any way i can sort this out thanks.

[Buenchico]

The current drawn by a satnav shouldn't blow even the lowest rated fuse in any car. It sounds like there's a fault with the socket, resulting in a short circuit occurring whenever anything is plugged into it..

The easiest solution would be to run a separate socket directly from the battery or (better) from the supply which is routed to the van's radio via the ignition switch. (Doing it that way would mean that you couldn't accidentally drain the battery by leaving something plugged in while the engine wasn't running). A suitable socket (to fit on the end of a cable from the relevant power source) will only cost you �2.49 at your nearest branch of Maplin's:
http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=1 055

Chris

[chas2008]

as the previous answers states the power for a sat nav/tv is minimal and certainly shouldnt blow fuses.
The chances are its the cigar lighter socket as the vehicle ages the socket gets corroded and shorts although not immediately obvious, quite a common problem .In theory a new socket should solve it.

[dave2222]

its the fuse in the 12v plug of the sat nav not a engine fuse

[dave2222]

it is also a new socket as the van didnt have one in so ive had it fitted by a garage direct from the battery

[chas2008]

does anything work from this socket ?

[dave2222]

just the cig lighter itself, ive tried a tv and sat nav but the fuse in each of the plugs blew

[chas2008]

for fear of stating the obvious i asume the + & - are corect ? the cigar lighter element would work either way it was wired

[dave2222]

i should hope so chas as a garage wired it up,But i never knew it would work either way but ill have a check.thanks also for your interest.

[dave2222]

Well chas you was spot on they had wired it up wrong,Thanks for your help.

[Nkakamasembe]

Common mistake is the polarity of the terminals after wiring directly to the battery. MOST only work with the centre post as positive.

[chas2008]

even garages get it wrong ! and i work in one..