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tim eh?
03-21-2009, 08:32 AM
dumb question sorry, but is it safe to just plug one of these straight in to the lighter socket and charge it? 2A fuse on cable, 10A fuse on the battery pack.

http://www.bimmernut.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=6278&stc=1&d=1226760250
Rus
03-21-2009, 09:15 AM
The car's cigarette lighter sits on a 30 amp fused circuit according to the Bentley manual. Fuse # 26 in the front power distribution block handles the glovebox light and the cigarette lighter. Your booster pack fuses will blow before anything on the car does.
Tiger
03-21-2009, 10:37 AM
No cigarette lighter has 30A... absolutely no car in the world has that. 30A would require a really thick wire.
tim eh?
03-21-2009, 12:06 PM
Thanks guys, I was more concerned that I'd need some kind of adapter but I can't see why I would.

I think the 2A cord I have is too small though it's for a cell phone or something, I'll get one with bigger wires and a bigger fuse and try it.
Rus
03-21-2009, 01:17 PM
No cigarette lighter has 30A... absolutely no car in the world has that. 30A would require a really thick wire.

Tiger,

Check out page 610-5 in Bentley. 30A does seem very high, but that's what fuse 26 is apparently rated at and its assigned the Glove box light and cigar lighter circuit. Interesting eh?
Paul in NZ
03-21-2009, 04:04 PM
after a time i think the cig lighter is turned off by the unloader realy.In my expereince when i charge my phone its always off when i return to the car.
Tiger
03-21-2009, 04:48 PM
It also refers you to other fuses... 5, 18, 21... which is more normal depending on what car you have and how they equip it. I have never seen such cigarette lighter with that kind of rating.
Rus
03-21-2009, 05:54 PM
It also refers you to other fuses... 5, 18, 21... which is more normal depending on what car you have and how they equip it. I have never seen such cigarette lighter with that kind of rating.

I agree. I've not seen such a powerstation inside the car either :-p

Tim,

A 2A fuse seems like a pretty good insurance policy to me. 2.3A is the current carrying limit for 18 AWG wire. That gauge is pretty common in cars. That 2A fuse should be alright IMHO.
tim eh?
03-21-2009, 06:34 PM
A 2A fuse seems like a pretty good insurance policy to me. 2.3A is the current carrying limit for 18 AWG wire. That gauge is pretty common in cars. That 2A fuse should be alright IMHO.

Thanks Rus - yeah, worst that happens i blow a 2A fuse anyway.

I have a few 30A fuses in my fusebox.

http://www.bimmernut.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=6279&stc=1&d=1226760250

I don't know how the PO blew #16, it's for the heated seats.

#19 is for the IHKR, strange it didn't blow when my IHKR shorted out.


after a time i think the cig lighter is turned off by the unloader realy.In my expereince when i charge my phone its always off when i return to the car.

Strange, but I don't understand how the unloader relay would do that.

It would be handy to have a socket that was hot only with the ignition on.
ladiesman217
03-21-2009, 06:41 PM
Some of the later models (93+) apparently did switch to ign on lighters.
Herb
03-22-2009, 11:39 PM
My '95 is constant. I put two 12v adapters in the blank rear plate, and one in the glovebox for my gps, all of those I tapped are off when the car is off. Here's a link to my 12v power thread, no pics of the gb mounted one though.
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1149263&highlight=12v+outlets
tim eh?
03-23-2009, 03:16 PM
My '95 is constant. I put two 12v adapters in the blank rear plate, and one in the glovebox for my gps, all of those I tapped are off when the car is off. Here's a link to my 12v power thread, no pics of the gb mounted one though.
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1149263&highlight=12v+outlets

that is cool and gives me ideas (oh no!), where did you tap the power for the rear adapters if they are ignition only?