adapter for cigarette lighter to work with cell phone charger?

[mmizesko]

Hi there,

Joe A. and I are almost done with my project, and I was complaining that the cigarette lighter didn't work, when I tried to use it last year to recharge my cell phone.  I did realize that the actual lighter worked fine, but clearly wasn't designed to work with today's 12v adapters to provide power to electronics.  Since I wanted to use it for power and USB apps, I was wondering if anyone has found a "middle" adapter for such applications.

Please Advise

Mike Mizesko
Columbus, OH

[mdsalemi]

Mike,

If your cigarette lighter works, then you have power at the port.
What you probably need to do (as I did) is wrap a couple of layers of black electrical tape on the cell phone charger plug end; avoid the spring things. What's happening (at least on mine) is that it isn't a firm fit in this older unit and the tape increases the diameter of the plug. When you do this you have a snug fit and all should be well if you push it in all the way.

[Rolf-Dieter ✝︎]

Now Mike that is great information! Perhaps a short write up into the Tech Manual would help out others.

On mine the GPS last year for my trip down south worked great, not to mention it took us in a wrong direction on a country cruse for a spell ... LOL ... The previous owner must have made some changes to it.

[scoot]

I've also had the problem of needing to plug in a modern item into the slightly larger MB cigarette lighter.  At one point I resorted to a carefully wrapped band of aluminum foil around the thing to be plugged in.  It's pretty much a single-use thing since it gets crumpled up when you take it in and out.  And must be careful not to short the end...   Basically you need to increase the circumference of the plug without keeping it from making electrical contact with the walls of the outlet.

[wjsvb ✝︎]

A simple answer might be to get a lighter receptacle assembly ("power source") that works with your GPS or phone charger at the local auto parts store and install it under the dash or in the glove box.  Be sure it is fused!  I had to do this in the 80's when our Audi's came with a reconfigured lighter.

[scoot]

A simple answer might be to get a lighter receptacle assembly ("power source") that works with your GPS or phone charger at the local auto parts store and install it under the dash or in the glove box.  Be sure it is fused!  I had to do this in the 80's when our Audi's came with a reconfigured lighter.

Yes, that's a better solution.   But if you are in a fix and you need the damn thing to just work....

[66andBlue]

... when I tried to use it last year to recharge my cell phone.  I did realize that the actual lighter worked fine, but clearly wasn't designed to work with today's 12v adapters to provide power to electronics. ....

Mike,
can you charge your phone with an USB source? If so then the easiest way is to buy a USB charger that has a spring-loaded plug at the end. The springs assure contact with the wider rim on the old European lighter sockets.
Your local automotive shops should have them, just make sure it is also long enough.
From Wikipedia:
12-volt cigar lighter receptacle and plug, size A
   •   Receptacle inside diameter: 20.93 - 21.01 mm (median 20.97 mm)
   •   Plug body diameter: 20.73 - 20.88 mm (median 20.805 mm)
       Most often used in American automobiles.
12-volt cigar lighter receptacle and plug, size B
   •   Receptacle inside diameter: 21.41 - 21.51 mm (median 21.455 mm)
   •   Plug body diameter: 21.13 - 21.33 mm (median 21.18 mm)
       Most often used in European automobiles, and sometimes as a second socket in American automobiles expressly for DC power connections.

Cheaper then buying a "middle"  adapter: http://www.classiccult.com/vintage-german-cigarette-lighter-plug-nos.html

[mmizesko]

Thanks guys.

Alfred, Yes, I have a USB adapter.....

which size is a standard 113 (mine is 1970) cig lighter diameter, (A or B)?  Any insights?  I think I have an old internal micrometer somewhere.

Mike

[66andBlue]

Hi Mike,
it should be the larger diameter Size B. (I have changed my previous post to indicate this)
I have no problems charging my phone with a USB charger - or a TomTom GPS with its own plug - inserted into the lighter socket on the 230SL.
But both of them have the springs on both sides of the plug for making contact as shown in my photo.