12v cigarette socket has 13.1v but doesn't work?

McIntoshUSA

McIntoshUSA

.
Jun 5, 2014
209
Capital Yacths Newport MKIII 30 Punta Gorda, Fl
I have 2, 12v cigarette lighter sockets on my boat. They both test out with the volt meter to 13.1 volts each. I have 2, 12v fans. I plug a 12v fan into one and it works. I plug the same fan into the other one and it does not work (I have tested both fans, same results). Anyone have any idea as to what is going on here?

The only difference I know of is that the one that works is wired straight to the batteries. The one that does not work goes through the circuit panel. The power is on, on the panel and the socket test out at 13.1 volts.

Thanks
Mike
 
seadaddler

seadaddler

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Dec 19, 2006
5,818
Hunter 36 Punta Gorda
Bad

I did have one go bad but either making bad connection on either end the
plug could be not staying in or not making good connection.
I did replace of of each.
Nick
 
Sailm8

Sailm8

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Feb 21, 2008
1,750
Hunter 29.5 Punta Gorda
Like Nick says probably the contacts have corroded and socket needs replacement. The socket in my cockpit only lasts about 3 years even though it has a rubber cover.
 
C

Clansman

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Jul 7, 2014
3
Macgregor 26 D Port Rowan
Could be a bad connection anywhere between the load and the battery. Voltage looks OK but cant move enough amps to do the job. Pay particular attention to crimped connections if any.

Not that I would ever miss something like this (my new VHF radio is way prettier than the perfectly good one it replaced).

Cheers
 
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Likes: 1 person
Don S/V ILLusion

Don S/V ILLusion

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Sep 25, 2008
7,337
Alden 50 Sarasota, Florida
The problem describe is a testament to the lack of integrity of cig lighter plugs which should never be used if you want a dependable power source.
 
Anonymous 121765

Anonymous 121765

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Jan 6, 2010
1,520
MC,

My pal has a Newport 30 winged keel.
What a great sailing boat. We were out there recently & a "Club Racer" tried to pick on us.
You could tell they were "Clubbers" as, they had coordinated outfits. well. we smoked them on both legs.

On you question, knot knowing how it is wired, My first thought is your battery selector switch may be the culprit. I have a 2-bank system & switch. That being said, I separate what runs on my battery switch as dedicated or switchable. My "Dedicated" circuits is my, Autopilot & bilge pump that are directly wired to my battery & not dependent on the switch setting.

If getting a 13+ volt read, have you tried running another 12V item at this connection?
Troubleshooting electrical problems can be more difficult. Go thru your checks, check the ground connection tab to see if it is lined up correctly for the cigarette lighter fitting. I have to assume if you can read current. maybe the tangs may be bent.

CR
 
C

Chief RA

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Nov 26, 2012
2,315
Catalina 250 Bodega Bay CA
I am with Don! Cigarette lighter connectors are definitely one of the dumbest things ever foisted on us!
Mr Bill has likely indicated the problem for you: the wires are reversed on one of your outlets.
Chief
 
McIntoshUSA

McIntoshUSA

.
Jun 5, 2014
209
Capital Yacths Newport MKIII 30 Punta Gorda, Fl
Clansman said:
Could be a bad connection anywhere between the load and the battery. Voltage looks OK but cant move enough amps to do the job. Pay particular attention to crimped connections if any.

Not that I would ever miss something like this (my new VHF radio is way prettier than the perfectly good one it replaced).

Cheers
Click to expand
Clansman was correct. I checked and one of the terminals on the back of the switch panel was loose. I tightened it and it works now. I originally did not check this connection because the socket was pulling 13+ volts on the volt meter. I did not know that the voltage could read good but still have a loose enough connection not to carry the amps through. Always learning something.

Thanks Clansman

I have learned on these little fans that I plug into a cigarette lighter socket if the wires are backwards then the fan still turns it just blows backwards.

Yes, captnron she is a good sailing vessel. I enjoy racing her too.

Thanks for all the help and suggestion from all!:dance:
 
rgranger

rgranger

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Jan 19, 2010
12,553
Hobie 16 & Rhodes 22 Skeeter Charleston
Glad you found the problem. And on a similar vein...

TWICE! I have torn out a bunch of wiring and replaced it (including a set of LED bow lights) only to eventually discover my battery connection was corroded. That is now the first thing I check.
 
capta

capta

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Jun 4, 2009
4,905
Pearson 530 Admiralty Bay, Bequia SVG
Blue Sea has finally come out with a high quality locking cig lighter socket and plug. Far superior to anything else on the market, IMO, but a tad pricy.
 
Tom G P-21

Tom G P-21

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Aug 15, 2012
301
Precision 21 Newburyport MA
I have been using a jump start battery to power my depth finder and running lights when needed. I mostly day sail so I have little power requirements. I tried using a cigarette plug going into the jump start but that became unreliable. I ended up wiring a two pin trailer connection directly to it. Its a nice simple weatherproof connection. See picture below. I might start using this for my other 12v items, fans spotlight etc..
 

Attachments

PAINKILLER

PAINKILLER

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Sep 23, 2009
2
Pearson 31-2 Lake Winnipesaukee
Your problem is voltage drop due to high resistance in the one wired thru the panel, either from loose or corroded connections, too long a wire, or too small a wire. You get 13.1 volts with no load (just the voltmeter), but the more load you put on it the lower the voltage will be. I had the same problem with an existing 12 volt outlet on Painkiller (Pearson 31) it read 13+ volts with no load! but when I plugged my refrigerator in to it the voltage dropped to 10.7, too low to run the fridge. I installed a new outlet as close as possible to the battery switch using #10 wire and less than 2feet long, no more problem. Just make sure you have an appropriately sized fuse for the outlet and wire rating.
 
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