Using lighter socket as power outlet
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Junior User
Joined: Jun 2003
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From: Minnesota
Using lighter socket as power outlet
I noticed in the owners manual of my 05 F150 that you are not to use the cigarette lighter socket as a power outlet. You are only to use the power outlet provided. What's up with this?? Is there a reason you can't charge a cell phone or plug in a GPS unit or anything else for that matter?? Will I harm the trucks wiring or ruin my electronics by using this?? I don't plan on using an inverter or anything that draws alot of juice. I don't smoke so it would be nice to take advantage of that as a 2nd outlet. Do you guys use it as a power outlet?? Any problems? I need some advise and I know you guys are full of it, um, advise that is 
Thanks!! 
Thanks!!
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,542
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From: Murphysboro, IL
I have my cell phone charger plugged into it all the time, have done it for a little over a year and have had no problems as of yet.
I'm sure if there was going to be a problem it would have happened by now.
I'm sure if there was going to be a problem it would have happened by now.
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2003
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One thing I remember is one of the car magazines in their 2004 F-150 test story is that had a problem with the lighter in the test vehicle, dealer told them not to use the lighter as a powerpoint. They had never heard of such a thing, and of course they never bothered to read the owners manual. Don't remember what they were powering with it.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 115
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From: Central WI
I know that it is supposed to be taboo but I've done it many times with my last three Ford trucks without incident. Need that radar detector and power for the cell phone or the kids portable DVD players.
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From: Minnesota
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Sit. Stay.
Joined: Oct 2001
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From: Washington State
The lighter socket is slightly larger than the power point socket in terms of diameter.
Many electrical items will adjust to the larger size of the cig lighter (some even have the manual adjustment feature) but due to insurance regs and what-not, Ford states not to use the cig lighter and to only use the dedicated electrical power point to power your devices.
Many electrical items will adjust to the larger size of the cig lighter (some even have the manual adjustment feature) but due to insurance regs and what-not, Ford states not to use the cig lighter and to only use the dedicated electrical power point to power your devices.
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2005
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From: East Coast
Originally Posted by Monsta
The lighter socket is slightly larger than the power point socket in terms of diameter.
Many electrical items will adjust to the larger size of the cig lighter (some even have the manual adjustment feature) but due to insurance regs and what-not, Ford states not to use the cig lighter and to only use the dedicated electrical power point to power your devices.
Many electrical items will adjust to the larger size of the cig lighter (some even have the manual adjustment feature) but due to insurance regs and what-not, Ford states not to use the cig lighter and to only use the dedicated electrical power point to power your devices.
I'll have to remember to grab one next time I'm at the yard!
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,462
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From: Dedham, MA
my radar is plugged in there, no problems ever. i've done this in all my cars. However, i hate the fact that it stays hot all the time, all the 12V outlets do. I find this annoying, cause i'm too lazy to turn off my satellite radio or radar detector.
Sit. Stay.
Joined: Oct 2001
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From: Washington State
Originally Posted by Monsta
The lighter socket is slightly larger than the power point socket in terms of diameter.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2005
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From: San Jose, CA
Both cig lighter and power outlet are wired with 16AWG wires directly to 12V. Personally, I wouldn't try to pull to many amps out of it for very long. Technically there's no diff between the two. Maybe the cig lighter is considered taboo because if you have stuff hangin there, it'll get in your way as the driver more easily than the power outlet.
I'm tempted to replace the thing with a 120VAC 3-prong receptacle that runs off a 700W inverter stashed somewhere else inside or under the dash. Problem is I haven't found anything that will fit in the hole and still look stock.
any ideas out there?
I'm tempted to replace the thing with a 120VAC 3-prong receptacle that runs off a 700W inverter stashed somewhere else inside or under the dash. Problem is I haven't found anything that will fit in the hole and still look stock.
any ideas out there?
Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Kansas
I just went on vacation and had one of the kid's DVD players hooked into the cig lighter. I did notice some interference in the radio - not static- but intereference. When we stopped for lunch, I moved the DVD to the power outlet and no more intereference.
Freshman User
Joined: Aug 2004
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I used my cig lighter for portable air compressor. Accidentially pulled the cord too tight and it managed to pull the assembly out of the dash, and blew the fuse. The problem is that it just snaps into place and could be easily damaged. just my 2 cents.
Shawn
Shawn
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Junior User
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From: Minnesota
I'm going to use the power outlet most of the time but mostly wanted to plug my cell phone or GPS into the cig lighter outlet. Thanks everyone for all the great comments and ideas.
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