Cigarette lighter / phone charger

[stallion112]

Here's one for all you electrical experts out there.

My Kellison Stallion, which was built in 1978, has a cigarette lighter in it. The lighter works fine. I checked the power to the back of the unit and it is 12V. The ground wire is in good condition and well grounded.

When I plug a cell phone charger into the socket with the phone turned off, the phone manufacturer's symbol lights up as it always does but instead of the battery icon with the percentage charge then being displayed, a question mark is displayed and then goes off.

I checked out the socket in one of my newer vehicles and visually it looks about the same internally. It too is reading 12V. Any suggestions?

[FWB]

that's a good one........try rotating the plug to a different orientation.....
but damn if that doesn't do it............you obviously have gremlins

[Paul F]

Read the phone manual and find out what the question mark means.

[Turbonut48]

The polarity might be reversed on the lighter socket. The cig lighter element doesnt care which connector is grounded. The cell phone does.
Try reversing the the ground and hot wires if you can. The body of the socket might use the mounting surface as ground, then you cant.
Good Luck.

The Nut.

[joey4420]

Originally Posted by Turbonut48

The polarity might be reversed on the lighter socket. The cig lighter element doesnt care which connector is grounded. The cell phone does.
Try reversing the the ground and hot wires if you can. The body of the socket might use the mounting surface as ground, then you cant.
Good Luck.

The Nut.

X2

Joey

[stallion112]

Thanks for the suggestions, guys. I tried switching the polarity and no dice.

Since I have experimented by swapping out multiple chargers, phones, and automobiles, the only constant is the socket in the Cobra itself. I've been busy with building an extension onto my garage lately but once I get a chance I will change the original socket out and post an update. Thanks again.

[LMH]

In my Lexus, there's a cigarette lighter and an accessory port. My phone charger works when plugged into the accessory port but not into the cigarette lighter. I'm not sure why though but maybe there's a clue as to why yours doesn't work. Maybe the plug has to be rated for a cigarette lighter? Not sure but might be something to look into.
Larry

[Gaz64]

Some charger plugs have a ground contact spring loaded to touch the ground of the lighter socket.

I've seen where the socket has a section or two of no metal, and hence no contact on the ground side, unless you turn it to a point that will make contact.