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General Vintage Technology Discussions For general discussions about vintage radio and other vintage electronics etc. |
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1st Jun 2020, 10:46 am | #1 |
Heptode
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Accrington, Lancashire, UK.
Posts: 978
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Cigar lighter socket polarity?
Really simple one, please forgive me. Don't have a car to hand, thanks to peoples help on here on my problem, I have bought an FM transmitter to permit me to send my laptop audio to my stereo. Is the centre pin positive, wouldn't think I was an engineer for Sony and LG would you. This dementia really screws you up, ta.
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1st Jun 2020, 11:02 am | #2 |
Moderator
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4, UK.
Posts: 21,289
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Re: Cigar lighter socket polarity?
All modern cars are negative earth, so the centre connection will be positive.
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Graham. Forum Moderator Reach for your meter before you reach for your soldering iron. |
1st Jun 2020, 3:07 pm | #3 |
Octode
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Co. Durham, UK.
Posts: 1,118
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Re: Cigar lighter socket polarity?
The centre pin is live, the case is earth.
If in doubt, check the battery terminals for polarity. The 'earth' terminal goes to the chassis and engine block. On most cars, this is the Negative terminal. |
1st Jun 2020, 3:53 pm | #4 |
Octode
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: St Osyth, Nr Clacton, Essex, UK.
Posts: 1,482
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Re: Cigar lighter socket polarity?
I've got exactly what you describe, plus a few extras. Yes, centre pin positive.
My version plugs into an in-line female cigar-lighter socket (off ebay) which in turn is wired to the 12 V wires of an HDD power plug (old style, not SATA) and the 4-pin power socket to that is wired to a USB-to-12v adaptor, also off ebay. This is all to give me the most flexibility in how I power stuff, and what stuff. Graham
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Half my stuff is junk - trouble is, I don't know which half! |
2nd Jun 2020, 8:57 am | #5 |
Octode
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Co. Durham, UK.
Posts: 1,118
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Re: Cigar lighter socket polarity?
Does anyone use these for lighting cigars?
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2nd Jun 2020, 9:06 am | #6 |
Moderator
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4, UK.
Posts: 21,289
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Re: Cigar lighter socket polarity?
The OP's question has been answered, so it's time to close this thread.
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Graham. Forum Moderator Reach for your meter before you reach for your soldering iron. |