Is it possible to recharge a cell phone batery when not pluged into shore power? If so how do you do it? We've tried plugging the charger into the cigarette lighter-type outlet but it doesn't work.
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Cigarette lighter.
Linda: You need to get a DC charger from your phone supplier. You just plug it into the cigarette lighter. Some phones will NOT charge while they are turned on. So depending on the type, you may need to turn the phone off for the purpose of charging.
Linda: You need to get a DC charger from your phone supplier. You just plug it into the cigarette lighter. Some phones will NOT charge while they are turned on. So depending on the type, you may need to turn the phone off for the purpose of charging.
We tried that - doesn't work
What switches need to be turned on in order for the cigaret lighter outlet to work?
What switches need to be turned on in order for the cigaret lighter outlet to work?
First find out if it's getting any power
If it is, trace the wire to the breaker that turns that circuit on and off.
If it is, trace the wire to the breaker that turns that circuit on and off.
Step by step.
Linda: First, are you getting any power to the outlet? Maybe you could use a volt meter to test the circuit. Second, are you sure that the plug unit that you have is a charging cord and not just a power cord. Our older Motorola units where like that. They could be pluged into the lighter to get DC power, but that would NOT charge the batteries in the phone.
Linda: First, are you getting any power to the outlet? Maybe you could use a volt meter to test the circuit. Second, are you sure that the plug unit that you have is a charging cord and not just a power cord. Our older Motorola units where like that. They could be pluged into the lighter to get DC power, but that would NOT charge the batteries in the phone.
A nice light solution...
... to determining if the socket is powered and also providing an excellent low level "quick light" is one of those chromed brass "plunger" lamps sold in marine catalogs. It's a small light on a spring fitting that fits into the lighter socket and illuminates when you push it in. The "lighter" socket on kupono is near the sink and it's very nice to just push the light in at night and find what you're looking for without turning on the main overheads. And you always know if your socket is working. All of this is to say that you can pick up a practical piece of lighting equipment that will also work as a tester. If you get light, and you are using a "charging" cord, not just a power cord as Steve mentions, you are good to go. I also suffered the aggravation of the early Motorola's non-charging 12V. power cords. BTW, I hope this gets posted. I posted something to Steve Dion last night and it hasn't shown up. Of course, if it doesn't, you'll never read this - so what am I thinking? David s/v kupono
... to determining if the socket is powered and also providing an excellent low level "quick light" is one of those chromed brass "plunger" lamps sold in marine catalogs. It's a small light on a spring fitting that fits into the lighter socket and illuminates when you push it in. The "lighter" socket on kupono is near the sink and it's very nice to just push the light in at night and find what you're looking for without turning on the main overheads. And you always know if your socket is working. All of this is to say that you can pick up a practical piece of lighting equipment that will also work as a tester. If you get light, and you are using a "charging" cord, not just a power cord as Steve mentions, you are good to go. I also suffered the aggravation of the early Motorola's non-charging 12V. power cords. BTW, I hope this gets posted. I posted something to Steve Dion last night and it hasn't shown up. Of course, if it doesn't, you'll never read this - so what am I thinking? David s/v kupono
The 110v solution
Plug the house charger into an outlet on the boat and use the inverter, if so equipped. To test to see if your 12v charger works, plug it into the car and see what happens. Phone should beep, particulalry if a Nokia To find out which swith operates the 12v socket on the boat, turn them all off (except the obvious) plug in phone charger and phone, turn on switches until phone beeps.
Plug the house charger into an outlet on the boat and use the inverter, if so equipped. To test to see if your 12v charger works, plug it into the car and see what happens. Phone should beep, particulalry if a Nokia To find out which swith operates the 12v socket on the boat, turn them all off (except the obvious) plug in phone charger and phone, turn on switches until phone beeps.
Buy a small inverter
What I did was buy a small inverter ($40) that plugs into the cigerate lighter then I can just use the normal AC charger.
What I did was buy a small inverter ($40) that plugs into the cigerate lighter then I can just use the normal AC charger.
Before anything else...
...make sure that you have power to the plug. FWIW, some people don't realize this.
...make sure that you have power to the plug. FWIW, some people don't realize this.
I would bet it's a breaker
On virtually every Hunter I've ever been on the cigarette lighter outlet is controlled by one of the breaker switches. On most it's on the same breaker as your fans. Before you spend any money on additional gear (assuming you have a cigarette lighter plug for your phone) try plugging it in and turning on your various breakers. I would assume that there is an indicator on either your plug and/or your phone that indicates when it is charging. Since the lighter plug is DC power it will work whether you're connected to shore power or not.
On virtually every Hunter I've ever been on the cigarette lighter outlet is controlled by one of the breaker switches. On most it's on the same breaker as your fans. Before you spend any money on additional gear (assuming you have a cigarette lighter plug for your phone) try plugging it in and turning on your various breakers. I would assume that there is an indicator on either your plug and/or your phone that indicates when it is charging. Since the lighter plug is DC power it will work whether you're connected to shore power or not.
don't use an inverter.....
Using a small inverter is a very inefficient use of your onboard electricity bank. Additionally some AC chargers don't like the chopped sine wave of most and especially inexpensive inverters. We were very dissatisfied with our handheld VHF and it's battery life. Turned out that it just plain would not charge on the cheapo inverter. The laptop would but not the handheld. The kids have a playstation that only works about 50% of the time on the Freedom 30 inverter and it is NOT cheap. That's my experience.... Scott
Using a small inverter is a very inefficient use of your onboard electricity bank. Additionally some AC chargers don't like the chopped sine wave of most and especially inexpensive inverters. We were very dissatisfied with our handheld VHF and it's battery life. Turned out that it just plain would not charge on the cheapo inverter. The laptop would but not the handheld. The kids have a playstation that only works about 50% of the time on the Freedom 30 inverter and it is NOT cheap. That's my experience.... Scott
LINDA, you are going to tell us........
Linda: You are going to tell us what you find, aren't you?
Linda: You are going to tell us what you find, aren't you?
When I figure it out you'll know
I have not been to the boat to try any of the suggestions. We leave tomorrow for a ten day trip to Avalon and I guess I had better get a DC charger and hope that does the trick. I'll let you know if I find a solution.
I have not been to the boat to try any of the suggestions. We leave tomorrow for a ten day trip to Avalon and I guess I had better get a DC charger and hope that does the trick. I'll let you know if I find a solution.
Same problem solved...
We had a problem last year with our cell phone - it would not recharge on the charger....but it did sometimes 'beep' just to annoy us. It was only 2 years old so we spent the winter consulting Verizon help lines and got directed and directed and redirected to various lands of no return. Finally, against our better judgement, bought a new Verizon digital phone for $89. Whatever, problem solved, phone not only recharges, but actually stays charged for 3 or 4 full 24-hour days. also changed our billing to 300 minutes per month and have not yet ever gone over 100 minutes - well, we're sailing, not gabbing! Good luck! Jule & Carl s/v Syzygy
We had a problem last year with our cell phone - it would not recharge on the charger....but it did sometimes 'beep' just to annoy us. It was only 2 years old so we spent the winter consulting Verizon help lines and got directed and directed and redirected to various lands of no return. Finally, against our better judgement, bought a new Verizon digital phone for $89. Whatever, problem solved, phone not only recharges, but actually stays charged for 3 or 4 full 24-hour days. also changed our billing to 300 minutes per month and have not yet ever gone over 100 minutes - well, we're sailing, not gabbing! Good luck! Jule & Carl s/v Syzygy
Congratulations, Linda
You have received the most responses in the last 24 to 48hrs and probably the week to a question that has absolutley nothing to do with sailing, maintenance,care of engine,modification of exterior or interior, and basically anything at all to the normal questions on this website.
You have received the most responses in the last 24 to 48hrs and probably the week to a question that has absolutley nothing to do with sailing, maintenance,care of engine,modification of exterior or interior, and basically anything at all to the normal questions on this website.
Linda, Excuse Ron.
I assume he has his tongue planted firmly in his cheek since everyone fully understands your question is as relevant as others in this forum. FWIW, I used a small inverter to charge my cell phones, hand-held VHF, electric shaver, flashlight, laptop and digital camera. If you truly hang around boats enough, the relevance of those items become obvious. Regards, Rick D.
I assume he has his tongue planted firmly in his cheek since everyone fully understands your question is as relevant as others in this forum. FWIW, I used a small inverter to charge my cell phones, hand-held VHF, electric shaver, flashlight, laptop and digital camera. If you truly hang around boats enough, the relevance of those items become obvious. Regards, Rick D.
Linda, Please forgive me.
Please accept my sincere apologies. My point was simply that I found it hard to believe that your question received so many responses. When I looked in the forum and saw that your question had received 14+ and the closest one was ten. I was truly amazed. I guess had my tongue somewhere other than my cheek. My tongue is now firmly planted in my cheek. I had hoped that the response would have been taken with a grain of salt.
Please accept my sincere apologies. My point was simply that I found it hard to believe that your question received so many responses. When I looked in the forum and saw that your question had received 14+ and the closest one was ten. I was truly amazed. I guess had my tongue somewhere other than my cheek. My tongue is now firmly planted in my cheek. I had hoped that the response would have been taken with a grain of salt.
Rick D.
Rick D: You have all of this time on your hands from being retired. Linda is your neighbor in a marina with a mear 6000 boats. Why don't you just go over to her boat and fix the damn thing.<g>
Rick D: You have all of this time on your hands from being retired. Linda is your neighbor in a marina with a mear 6000 boats. Why don't you just go over to her boat and fix the damn thing.<g>
Ha, Steve!
..you can't appreciate how funny that is. First, I am so darn busy, I'm back to using Outlook for scheduling. Second, and most ironic, my OWN lighter plug hasn't worked in three years despite my fooling around with it whenever I drop the panel. (He was humiliated to admit.) Having said that, I WILL fix it, and Linda, if you want (risk) a hand, tell me where you are. Rick D.
..you can't appreciate how funny that is. First, I am so darn busy, I'm back to using Outlook for scheduling. Second, and most ironic, my OWN lighter plug hasn't worked in three years despite my fooling around with it whenever I drop the panel. (He was humiliated to admit.) Having said that, I WILL fix it, and Linda, if you want (risk) a hand, tell me where you are. Rick D.
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