Date:         Thu, 31 Aug 2006 11:49:28 -0800
Reply-To:     Jack Cook <john.cook58@VERIZON.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Jack Cook <john.cook58@VERIZON.NET>
Subject:      Re: Lousy Cigarette Lighter Plugs was inverter lighter plug cable?
In-Reply-To:  <085CDE8B-09F9-4131-8ED1-33ACEB86BB17@sprynet.com>
Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII

Seems like drawing enough current to melt a plug should've blown a
fuse first.  UNLESS ... the contacts were already failing.

Then as a contact jiggles & becomes a higher resistance, it will heat up
(assuming sufficient current) and create oxides covering the contact
surfaces (these aren't high quality gold).  That's the beginning of the
end for that plug/socket unless someone realizes what's happening and
cleans it up before melting or burning takes place.

*** Suggest trying to preform the contacts (if possible) to make sure
there's plenty of contact pressure, no matter how sloppy the fit.

//Jack
'85 GL


On 31 Aug 2006 at 12:38, Jarrett Kupcinski wrote:

> I've used a double adapter in the past, but have since stopped using
> it.  My best friend's wife has a 2000-something Nissan Altima.  She
> literally melted the lighter jack in there because she had a 3-way
> adapter with all her electronic goodies plugged into.  I was
> surprised to hear this, but was wondering just how much one jack can
[snipped]