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Can anyone tell me if there is any limit to the amount you can plug into your cigarette lighter socket whilst driving along?

We have a triple adapter in the front of our car which will usually have the kids Nintendos (2 consoles going into one socket using special cable), the rechargeable light and an inverter which recharges the dvd batteries.

(We also have camera batteries, dvd player and phone which use the sockets at other times.)

Then in the back of the car there is another socket which we plug the cool box into.

So there are often 4 items plugged in. Will this affect the car battery in any way?

There is often a 10amp fuse supplying the cigarette lighter, so if you add up all the power ratings of the items you plug in and divide by 12, then if this is less than 10 you'll be ok.

Phil.

This is not strictly true. The alternator does indeed charge the battery when the engine is running and the battery supplies the cigarette lighter but if you you exceed the the fuse rating the fuse will blow.

Phil

Quote: The alternator does indeed charge the battery when the engine is running and the battery supplies the cigarette lighter

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You could always look at the possibility of having a split battery kit installed, which will solve the problem and allow you to use the 12v outtlets when the engine is not running. A reasonable size battery will run a coolbox for 24 hours and then recharges when you run the car. 

I am thinking about one to run a coolbox overnight, but I need to check if I can fit the spare battery in the engine compartment of the car. The kit is something like this:

http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/710-5232-2978-1/1?AID=9479574&PID=1428744&mpre=http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll%3FViewItem&rd=1%26item%3D280248915358&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=018

You will also need a leisure battery.

Quote: Originally posted by Nimrodphil on 02/8/2008

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There is often a 10amp fuse supplying the cigarette lighter, so if you add up all the power ratings of the items you plug in and divide by 12, then if this is less than 10 you'll be ok.

Phil.

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Thanks for your replies.

Does this mean that there will be a 10amp fuse for each cigarette lighter socket (one in front and one at back) or will this fuse cover both - ie 5amps each? The car is quite old - 1995 Ford Galaxy if that helps!