12 volt/cigarette lighter outlets

[cpconway4@msn.com]

I have two 12 volt/cigarette lighter outlets in the main cabin of my 30' catalina. I've owned the boat a short time & tried to use the outlets but they did not function. I turned on the accessories & cabin light switches but still no power. Am I doing something wrong? Is there a switch to use or do I call in electrical help...Mike

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

The easiest thing to try first is check each with a voltmeter to see if there is power both at the connections behind them and in the socket, the latter to check for corrosion for which these things are infamous. If no power is getting there, you need to go back to the panel which, on your boat, probably has fuses rather than breakers. A voltmeter is your friend.

 

[Old Skool Neil]

I have a West Marine accessory outlet and maybe the second time I used it the back of the receptacle fell off. I couldn't see the damage from the front but knew it wasn't working. A simple epoxy repair did the trick, now better than originally designed.

 

[Team118]

Follow the wires. Also look at the back of the outlets, sometimes the wires come off the tabs on the outlets.

If the wiring is connected to the outlets, then trace the wiring back to some switch, either on your circuit panel or to a switch.

Electrical problems stink, it is a painstaking process to find the 'leak'. Get a multi-meter, learn how to use it and go get em!!!

 

[jimmcgee]

It may be the plug

Mike,
Have you tried plugging in more than one 12v gadget?

It may be whatever you're plugging in and not the outlet. 12v accessories have a fuse in the end of the male plug. If another accessory works, unscrew the end of the plug and check the fuse.

Oh and congratulations on the new boat!

Jim