Thread: Charging batteries through the cig. lighter socket

Isn't cig lighter only available with ignition on ?

Martyn

Yeh, but so is the alternator...

Originally Posted by Bushie

Isn't cig lighter only available with ignition on ?

Martyn

Thanks Martyn, I had completely forgotten about that.

Paul.

Also I would not have thought that the cabling to the cig lighter would not be large enough to supply adequate power to charge a low battery - might be OK on a maintenance charge but not likely for a decent charge.

Garry

Originally Posted by garrycol

Also I would not have thought that the cabling to the cig lighter would not be large enough to supply adequate power to charge a low battery - might be OK on a maintenance charge but not likely for a decent charge.

Garry

As much as I personally wouldn't do it, the cig lighter if actually used as a cig lighter would draw a decent current. It would work (with ignitio on), but the problem is, I still wouldn't trust factory wiring to a cig lighter being that it goes behind the dash and all. If it melts and starts smoking, it wouldn't be much fun putting out a fire behind your dash!

Cig lighter is not really "fit for purpose". Direct wiring to battery is.

Originally Posted by Judo

the problem is, I still wouldn't trust factory wiring to a cig lighter being that it goes behind the dash and all.

I'd expect the fuse to blow before the wiring

It depends on the model, but if the charger draws more than 10 amps then the cig lighter ain't gonna cut it.

Hi,
put an Anderson plug on the outside of the battery box with heavy wiring and suitable fuse.
You can use that to charge the battery with your charger or a solar panel.
It could also be a quick and easy access to run a compressor or any other device.
cheers

Originally Posted by austastar

Hi,
put an Anderson plug on the outside of the battery box with heavy wiring and suitable fuse.
You can use that to charge the battery with your charger or a solar panel.
It could also be a quick and easy access to run a compressor or any other device.
cheers

x2 for anderson plug somewhere on/near battery box.