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Learn All About Cigarette Lighter

What Is Cigarette Lighter?

The cigarette lighter is also known as the cigar lighter or the cigar lighter socket. It was initially designed in the automobiles so that it can power an electrically heated cigarette lighter, but then later on it became a de facto standard DC connector to supply electrical power for portable accessories utilized in or near a car. The cigarette lighter receptacle would be a common feature of the vehicles as well as trucks, as a DC power connector would have disadvantage of bulkiness, which would be relatively low current rating as well as inferior contact reliability.

 

The devices which can be easily operated from a cigarette lighter receptacle would include lights, fans, beverage heating devices, as well as small motorized tools like air compressors for inflating tires. The cigarette lighter receptacle is utilized by a lot of portable electronic devices like players or mobile telephones so that they can recharge their internal batteries or to directly operate from the automobile electrical system. The voltage can be changed by the adapters for the electronic devices so that it can be compatible with the supplied device. The automobiles which would need alternating-current mains electricity can be operated with a plug-in inverter.



How Does Cigarette Lighter Works?

Are you searching how do the cigarette lighter actually work? Then all you have to do is to have a look below and then you will be able to understand everything.

 

These are the simple devices which have changed very little with the passage of decades. Its two basic constituents are a socket, which would be connected to both the power as well as ground, and a removable plastic or metal housing which would contain a coiled metal strip.

 

There are a lot of cases, where the inner wall of the socket would be grounded, and a pin at the center would be connected to a fused power source. Now if you would push the lighter into the socket, then the current would start passing through the coiled metal strip, which would then cause it to heat up.

 

When there would be normal circumstances, then a cigarette lighter would be expected to draw roughly 10 amps, and its circuits generally have 10- or 15-amp fuses. It would then allow you to plug in phone chargers as well as other devices that would draw less than 10 or 15 amps, which would depend on the fuse in your particular automobile.

 

Both the cigarette lighter sockets as well as dedicated 12-volt accessory sockets could be utilized to power 12-volt devices as well as power adapters. So now if you would have 12-volt accessory socket on a particular circuit which would keep on popping fuses, then the diagnostic procedure would be the same.

Frequent Problems With Cigarette Lighter

Frequent Problems With Cigarette Lighter


Do you want to know some frequent problems which might start occurring in the cigarette lighter? Take a look below to know some frequent problems with the cigarette lighter:

 

There are a lot of times, when a cigarette lighter fuse which would keep blowing would be caused by some external issues. But it would always be possible that you might be dealing with some internal issues. Now if the fuse would blow out even if you haven’t plugged in, and it is verified by you that there is no foreign object inside the socket, then it would mean that there are some issues somewhere else in the circuit.

 

If you want to rule out an issue with the socket itself, then you can always remove it to see if the fuse would blow. With this application, the circuit breaker fuse can actually prove to be useful, as if the fuses would be blown over and over again, then it would narrow down the source of your issue which can also be very expensive.

 

It can be very easy to diagnose this type of issue if you would be able to track down a wiring diagram for your particular automobile as it would show you any constituents other than the cigarette lighter which would also be on the same circuit. If you disconnect each of these components, then they would be useful in deciding the source of your short.

 

One another cause of this type of issue would be shorted out power wire. It would mean that the power wire which would connect to your cigarette lighter might have rubbed or burned through and would have then come into contact with metal somewhere behind the dashboard. This type of short can be easily looked at by inspecting for continuity between the cigarette lighter power wire and ground.

Tool Needed For Cigarette Lighter

There are a number of skilled auto mechanics who have a goal of opening their own car repair shop at some point in their career. But let’s face it; if you want to put up an efficient as well as profit making shop, then you might need much more than mechanical skills. There are a number of tools which you might need to perform the car repairs quickly as well as reliably. Auto repair equipment that you will need to repair your Cigarette Lighter may include:

 

Top Brands For Cigarette Lighter

It is true that the brands which we use make a statement about who we are and who we are willing to be in the future. There are a number of car lovers which are emotionally attached with a specific brand for their car parts. So, if you are searching for a particular brand for your Cigarette Lighter, then you have arrived at the right place. Have a look below: -


Curt Manufacturing Cigarette Lighter

Dorman/Help Cigarette Lighter

Related Parts Of Cigarette Lighter

If you are willing to buy some Cigarette Lighter related parts online, then you have arrived at the right place. We have all the Cigarette Lighter related parts with us. We promise that you will never regret your decision. Have a look at some of them below: -

 

How To Change Cigarette Lighter?

How To Change Cigarette Lighter?


Do you want to change your cigarette lighter on your own? Then have a look at the steps of changing the cigarette lighter below:

 

Step 1

 

First of all, the key should be inserted into the ignition to turn on your automobile’s interior power. The radio as well as cabin lights should be turned on with it.

 

Step 2

 

The mobile phone charger or adapter plug should be placed into the cigarette lighter receptacle. Inspect that your mobile phone or device is charging properly or not.

 

Step 3

 

Now if you find out that the mobile phone or device is not charging in a proper manner, then the fuse box should be located and then inspect if the fuse was blown out. Then it is essential to the automobile’s manual on how to replace a busted fuse. You can proceed to the next step if the fuse would be okay.

 

Step 4

 

The new cigarette lighter plug should be inserted into the receptacle. The plug should be pressed down and then you should wait for it to pop out.

 

Step 5

 

Then the plug should be removed and then it you would be able to see a red-hot tip, then it would mean that the cigarette lighter would be working already.

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John Framigllia
Technical Writer
Our technical writer is known for simplifying automotive parts and services. Intuitive with various vehicles and manufacturers, he knows how to simplify complicated problems.