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#1502678 02/14/06 12:12 AM
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Here is a silly question: My 2000's lighter socket is live when the key is on or off. Until recently, it would go off while the engine was cranking. Now it does not. Could someone check theirs and just let me know if I'm right about the way I thought it worked?

Al

#1502679 02/14/06 12:21 AM
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They are all always on. When cranking, a device plugged into most likely won't receive enough power to stay on.

I installed a 1.5 farad capacitor on my 96 and it now will keep a device powered while cranking.


98.5 SVT 91 Escort GT (almost sold) 96 ATX Zetec (i brake to watch you swerve) FS: SVT rear sway bar WTB: Very cheap beater CEG Dragon Run - October 13-15
#1502680 02/14/06 06:07 PM
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Originally posted by Kremithefrog:
They are all always on. When cranking, a device plugged into most likely won't receive enough power to stay on.

I installed a 1.5 farad capacitor on my 96 and it now will keep a device powered while cranking.




Your reply about the 1.5 Farad cap does not make a lot of sense. Anyway I think?? mine went off during cranking. You may be right about cranking the engine lowering the voltage. I'll try to check into it further.

Al

#1502681 02/14/06 06:34 PM
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Originally posted by Big Al:
Originally posted by Kremithefrog:
They are all always on. When cranking, a device plugged into most likely won't receive enough power to stay on.

I installed a 1.5 farad capacitor on my 96 and it now will keep a device powered while cranking.




Your reply about the 1.5 Farad cap does not make a lot of sense. Anyway I think?? mine went off during cranking. You may be right about cranking the engine lowering the voltage. I'll try to check into it further.

Al



When you crank the engine, the power to the lighter does go off. Kremit is just saying that he installed a capacitor (as a backup power) to continue powering the "acessories" while cranking.


"Always do the cheap and easy ones first." 1996 V6 ATX 96K miles
#1502682 02/15/06 12:24 PM
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The cigar lighter does NOT swith off when the ignition switch is turned to START. It is connected to an ALWAYS HOT branch circuit.

What does happen is that when the starter motor cranks, its pull of 150 A (+/-+) causes the battery voltage to sag, often below the threshold needed to keep attached accessory devices operational. The devices power themselves off due to insufficient power.

Adding the large value cap provides an additional capacity that will keep the voltage from sagging as much.

Big Al, either your battery is getting weak, your starter is pulling too much current, or your battery cables are degrading and increasing in resistance.

Steve


98 Contour SE Sport 2.5 Duratec ATX The wifey's car 89 Taurus SHO - 246K miles 94 SHO ATX - 190K 1997 F-150 5.4L ATX - The Workhorse 150K. ANY THREAD WITH "OMG" or "WTF" ETC IN THE TITLE WILL BE IGNORED!
#1502683 02/15/06 08:38 PM
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Did some tests today. The device I had plugged into the lighter socket was resetting because of the lower voltage while cranking. What happened was I changed the device to a similar unit of a different brand and it does not reset.

Thanks for the help,

Al


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