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Hey All.
My heater is out of commission (the blower motor seized up, bad bearings)
My temporary fix is that I am trying to use a heated blanket in the meantime The blanket and is designed specifically for vehicles. It is brand new and works in other newer vehicles- but it doesn't power up in my '77 F-250. Am I asking too much for this old lighter socket?
Other notes: The lighter socket works and the red light on the blanket plugin even lights up.
Here are the blanket specs:
Are you sure you turned the blanket on either high or low heat?
If the light for the blanket plug lights up but the blanket never warms up, there is a defect in the blanket or switch if it was switched on.
If it only draws 3.7 amps, the lighter outlet should handle it ... as evidenced by the blanket light coming on. 12 volts DC is the same as 12 volts DC, no matter when the source was built. 12 volts x 3.7 amps in 44.4 watts all day long. 45 watts devided by 3.7 amps is 12.16 volts, likely closer to what the truck has.
It wouldn't hurt to lightly clean out the socket, maybe even trirl a piece of fine grit sand paper in it?
Are you sure you turned the blanket on either high or low heat?
If the light for the blanket plug lights up but the blanket never warms up, there is a defect in the blanket or switch if it was switched on.
If it only draws 3.7 amps, the lighter outlet should handle it ... as evidenced by the blanket light coming on. 12 volts DC is the same as 12 volts DC, no matter when the source was built. 12 volts x 3.7 amps in 44.4 watts all day long. 45 watts divided by 3.7 amps is 12.16 volts, likely closer to what the truck has.
It wouldn't hurt to lightly clean out the socket, maybe even trirl a piece of fine grit sandpaper in it?
Thanks for the suggestions TBear. To answer your questions:
Clean out the socket: Good idea, I'll try that. Lotsa grime in this old rig.
Are you sure you turned the blanket on either high or low heat? Yes- but that's a fair question Yes, I tried both setting multiple times. That is why I tried the blanket in other cars too to make sure it worked successfully. It does.
If it only draws 3.7 amps, the lighter outlet should handle it ; Thanks for confirming there is enough power. I will keep fiddling around and see if I can get it working.
Do you have anything else that runs off cigarette lighter you could test the socket with?
Spot light or tire inflator?
Might try checking the wire on the back and making sure it is screwed in tight.
Do you have anything else that runs off the cigarette lighter you could test the socket with? That's a great suggestion- I'll try that. It should be a clear indicator of whether it works or not. Thanks!
Might try checking the wire on the back and making sure it is screwed in tight: OK. I'll check that too.
Thans for your suggestions
If the red indicator light on a plug lights up, the connection is made ..... but if not a great connection, if dirty, if a loosely clipped wire on back, the connection might not support tghe increased current load of the blanket. When you plug it in, see the red light as you say .... watch that red light as you turn the blanket on. If it dims, then you have a high resistance connection. If the red light stays the same, no flickering, I'd try it again in another vehicle.
I've never looked into it, but I'm convinced that the diameter of the lighters changed slightly sometime in the early 80's. I'd guess a change from SAE to a metric sizing? I have some 1960/70's 12V accessories that the plug is kinda tight in 1990's+ vehicles, but newer accessories the plug is really loose in the pre 1980 lighter sockets. I've noticed the blinking/dimming "on" light on stuff before as i drove and the plug jiggled around. I just bend the side tabs on the plug out more so it has more pressure in the socket.
If you stick the plug in the socket and twist it around a bunch, that's usually enough to clean the socket to get a decent connection, assuming the socket isn't heavily corroded.
Mr Gibble thanks for the laugh on using a heating blanket in the truck
Sorry to hear you have no heat, blower, but if left on heat and you start moving (high way speed) you should get some heat in the cab.
I had a 76 E350 van and lost the blower motor when heading out to Cali & back in Dec. so it was cold. That is how we ran it till back in CT at that time.
How hard is it to change out the motor?
Dave ----
Yes, I tried both setting multiple times. That is why I tried the blanket in other cars too to make sure it worked successfully. It does. 
Mr Gibble thanks for the laugh on using a heating blanket in the truck 
