Why do we still use cigarette-lighter adapters?

[s/v Jedi]

Originally Posted by Dockhead

Interesting. False advertising, then.

We're a 24v boat, so didn't test ours on 12v.

I would have thought a buck booster in the circuit would have solved that, so was not surprised at the claim.

I got suspicious when two identical looking outlets claimed different things, with one being honest about needing 24V input and the other mentioned nothing… but turned out to be the same.

So with your outlet, connected with 24V, can you charge an iPhone using the USB-C (PD) outlet? If that works for you then the fixed the problem I encountered. For testing you need to charge for a couple of minutes and see if it is still charging.

On the USB-A outlet it always works, but only 5V and slow.

[CaptainRivet]

Originally Posted by s/v Jedi

All of these adapters work on 12V as well as 24V. But when you connect them to 12V, they will not support modes higher than 9V.

I tested this specific model as well. Connected at 12V, it will charge an iPhone at 5V. When you connect it to 24V, it will negotiate a 9V fast charge with the phone and start charging, but within 30 seconds, charging will completely stop and you must remove and reinsert the phone cable to try again.

So even though the product works at 12V input, it’s performance is just like an USB-A adapter at 5V, 2.4A and it fails on the PD modes.

I have tested every single one available on Amazon that had Prime free return.

This very good info. Thank you.

[sailorboy1]

Originally Posted by ChrisJHC

Is there a reason we continue to use these adapters rather than directly wiring in a USB A and C socket?

Because "stuff" comes with the plug.

I have a 6 outlet USB power strip permanently wired to its' own DC breaker for use in most on my rechargeable things

[CaptainRivet]

Originally Posted by s/v Jedi

All of these adapters work on 12V as well as 24V. But when you connect them to 12V, they will not support modes higher than 9V.

I tested this specific model as well. Connected at 12V, it will charge an iPhone at 5V. When you connect it to 24V, it will negotiate a 9V fast charge with the phone and start charging, but within 30 seconds, charging will completely stop and you must remove and reinsert the phone cable to try again.

So even though the product works at 12V input, it’s performance is just like an USB-A adapter at 5V, 2.4A and it fails on the PD modes.

I have tested every single one available on Amazon that had Prime free return.

Do you have a link for a 24V model with USB-C that really does/works in PD 3.1 85W or more?

[Statistical]

Originally Posted by CaptainRivet

This very good info. Thank you.

This one does full 65W (3.25A @ 20V) measured by me using usb meter on 12V input. In fact unless mislabeled it is 12V only. I wish there was one which did 85W or 100W but haven't found one yet. 65W does still charge my laptop.

https://www.amazon.com/83W-12V-Outle...dp/B0B1DHNLDS/

[Dockhead]

Originally Posted by s/v Jedi

I got suspicious when two identical looking outlets claimed different things, with one being honest about needing 24V input and the other mentioned nothing… but turned out to be the same.

So with your outlet, connected with 24V, can you charge an iPhone using the USB-C (PD) outlet? If that works for you then the fixed the problem I encountered. For testing you need to charge for a couple of minutes and see if it is still charging.

On the USB-A outlet it always works, but only 5V and slow.

We don't use I-Things, but my minicomputer works fine off the PD outlet of this thing. It requires, according to the specs, 20v.

The USB-A outlet on mine will do QCIII, but not the top speed, and if you connect something to that outlet, you can no longer get 20v out of the PD outlet.


I use a cigarette plug-in charger for my HP Spectre laptop, which supposedly needs 80 watts at 20v. My tester shows it puts out somewhat less than 4a at 20v, but the laptop has been perfectly happy with it.

[Nicholson58]

Use a little dielectric grease on USB and other receptacles. Less wear, easier to operate, less corrosion.

We found on line direct 12 VDC powered USB 4-port outlet. No wall warts, no cigarette port.

[alctel]

I've got two of these on the boat in different spots.
https://www.bluesea.com/products/436...l_USB_Chargers

I haven't tried powering a laptop from them, but the USB ports fast charge my phone.

[s/v Jedi]

Originally Posted by Statistical

This one does full 65W (3.25A @ 20V) measured by me using usb meter on 12V input. In fact unless mislabeled it is 12V only. I wish there was one which did 85W or 100W but haven't found one yet. 65W does still charge my laptop.

https://www.amazon.com/83W-12V-Outle...dp/B0B1DHNLDS/

I got this one that looks similar but with an extra port. See screen dump, got it June 2021 so clearly an older model.

I did work a bit, I don’t remember much other than that under high load it cuts out every couple of minutes, probably due to overheating.

Btw, the link you posted does mention that it works on 24V power feed too and indeed that it has a boost converter. I don’t remember if the one I got had the boost converter because after cutting out a couple times, I quickly returned it.

[MicHughV]

I have a variety of 12v gadgets...ie. 12v mini-vacuum cleaner, 12v/110v converter, etc, that all came pre-wired for use in a cigarette lighter adaptor...don't see what the issue is ???

[sailingharry]

Originally Posted by MicHughV

I have a variety of 12v gadgets...ie. 12v mini-vacuum cleaner, 12v/110v converter, etc, that all came pre-wired for use in a cigarette lighter adaptor...don't see what the issue is ???

This is why we still have cigarette lighter plugs! It's also why a better 12V plug hasn't been implemented (something akin to a household plug).

High power USB would be awesome as a new standard, but device manufacturers have been slow to implement support. I've not seen small inverters, vacuums, VHF radios, inflators, air compressors, or the nifty Bluetooth-to-FM radio device I'm stuck with in my 2008 Volvo that are available with high power USB connections.

[resistor]

Originally Posted by s/v Jedi

I have done extensive testing and there are no good USB outlets with modern features like PD, USB-C etc.

The outcome of my tests was that you need the expensive, original Blue Sea Systems cigarette lighter outlet and specific adapters inserted into it that have been proven to work by actual testing. I tested 8 different ones all claiming the same thing but only one lived up to the claims.

All the look-alike outlets are cheap wastes of money; they are -not- the same as the BlueSea outlet (I ordered each and every one to test and returned them all)

Note that for USB-C power to laptops etc. you need the high power modes and for this to work you must feed the outlet/adapter with 24V DC.

The BlueSea USB outlet is no good either (obsolete tech)

Here the links to what actually works:

https://www.amazon.com/Blue-Sea-Syst.../dp/B001U4ZZPK

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07RHSD9WM

This powers even my Macbook Pro with the big gaming graphics adapter.

I have had good luck with these, which have a wide input voltage range: https://www.coolgear.com/product/usb...charger-ccg3pa

[Fortytwo]

So I can plug my USB-D adapter into it…

[Statistical]

Originally Posted by Fortytwo

So I can plug my USB-D adapter into it…

In the year 2034.

[ChrisJHC]

Thanks for the interesting discussion!

I’m surprised that you can get more power out of a cigarette-lighter adapter than a directly-wired outlet but there you go.

Looks like they’ll be around for a while.