How Many Volts Are In A Car Cigarette Lighter?

There could be many situations where charging your phone is highly inconvenient. Or, you can listen to music by connecting a device through Bluetooth. In both these scenarios, using the convenient extra outlet, the cigarette charger, can quickly solve the issues for you.

This socket can be used to charge various devices and provide for their continued functioning. You just need a special connector, and you’re good to go. But if you’ve ever wondered how effective it is at its job, read on to find out more.

How Does A Car Cigarette Lighter Work?

A car cigarette lighter consists of three parts: the lighter body, the cylindrical socket body, and the cylindrical case. The main body is inserted into the socket body that has an ash disposal hole and is protected by the case.

The lighter body is a metallic or plastic cylinder with a thin coil made from nichrome, an alloy of nickel and chromium. It completes an electrical circuit and lets the wire heat up when plugged into the corresponding socket. This is, of course, done with the help of a small current of electricity. And, as you can guess, that’s why the end of the lighter is red hot whenever you use it.

How Many Volts Does The Lighter Produce?

A car cigarette lighter has a nominal voltage rating of 12 volts but is limited to 10.2 volts with a maximum current of 10 amps. It can efficiently function as an outlet in cars and is used to provide power to a wide range of devices, such as radios, mobile phones, and laptops. 

Some of your car’s devices, like the car stereo, are hardwired to the fuse box. It means that no outlet is required for their functioning. But if you are dealing with smaller devices, like a dash cam, there’s no need for hardwiring, and the cigarette lighter socket can be used instead.

Which Can You Plug Into The Lighter Socket?

Besides using the lighter for its apparent purpose, you can use the socket into which it’s plugged and power/charge virtually any low-voltage device. All you need is a special connector mentioned previously. But if you still want more examples, here are five popular devices that you can plug into the car lighter socket:

• Bluetooth Adapters. Bluetooth adapters are one of the most common accessories plugged into lighters. Many new cars include hands-free kits and music players as standard features, but older vehicles do not. One solution is to retrofit the car with Bluetooth accessories that use the 12v auxiliary power supply.
• Food and Beverage Storage Units. Food and beverage storage units are another popular plug-in accessory. They include things like drink coolers and food warmers that you can conveniently plug in and use on the road. Such devices won’t work efficiently due to the low voltage but will keep the food moderately cold or warm.
• Phone Chargers. The next item is a phone charger, a necessity in the smartphone era. It won’t charge the phone too fast, but it should help you reach 50% from 20% during a 30-minute drive.
• Air-Quality Equipment. The built-in air conditioner in your automobile does a great job of circulating, warming, and chilling air. However, you can still plug in additional air-quality equipment using the 12v auxiliary power port. Such equipment would include humidifiers, dehumidifiers, and essential oil diffusers.
• USB Adapters. As shown in previous examples, this 12v socket can power all the devices you may need. But even if that’s not enough, you can just plug in a USB adaptor and use any USB-connected device.

Summary

The cigarette lighter in your car is a nifty little device. You can use it to light up when needed and, by removing the lighter body, charge and power various devices. Be it a dash cam, a phone charger, or even a storage unit, there’s nothing this small 12v socket can’t handle. 

But don’t expect it to efficiently power absolutely everything, as the voltage is low. Even charging your phone won’t take 40-50 minutes, and it will undoubtedly take a while before you reach the coveted 100%. So, bear this in mind, and use the socket at your convenience.

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