Volvo 850 12v Outlet

jonslave · Post by **jonslave** » 10 Dec 2020, 13:28

Anyone know how to get one of these springy contact FM transmitters to get power in my 12v plug?
The cig lighter works....

Post by **scot850** » 10 Dec 2020, 16:38

I have issues with more modern stuff plugged in in the cigarette lighter on P80's. The lighter socket is very low current and can't power much out of it.

I'm hoping others will chime in with solutions for this issue.

Neil.

xanthefin · Post by **xanthefin** » 11 Dec 2020, 00:05

I run on mine fine the car tire pump. I wouldnt say it being a low current side. I would check connections with and without a load and is there corrosion too much in your outlet. It should be electrically capable even blow your fuse. I dont remember fuse size top of my head sorry just.

Cookeh · Post by **Cookeh** » 11 Dec 2020, 01:09

Its just a compatibility issue. Weirdly different products have different widths and heights so not all fit properly and not all will make sufficient contact to compress the metal switches. I found Anker branded usb charges don't fit, but Aukey ones are.

You also need to consider the size and shape of the item you're trying to plug in. As you know the plug is recessed on an angle, so if the item is too large or has a sufficiently curved base it can stop the item from being fully seated, and hence grounded.

Post by **RickHaleParker** » 11 Dec 2020, 07:15

Remove the Cigarette outlet and replace it with a Accessory outlet. There are two different standards.

Post by **Chuck W** » 11 Dec 2020, 07:25

RickHaleParker wrote: ↑11 Dec 2020, 07:15 Remove the Cigarette outlet and replace it with a Accessory outlet. There are two different standards.

This is what I've done on both of our cars.

Dave in Maine · Post by **Dave in Maine** » 15 Dec 2020, 15:34

1. Get after all the contact surfaces with a pencil eraser until you see bright metal. I see rust in your pictures, especially around the center rivet, and that tells me all the contacts have a coating of nonconductive oxide, much of which you probably cannot see.

2. My 850 used a 20A fuse for the lighter. Try a 20A.

3. When you insert the plug into the outlet, try gently twisting it in the socket until you get power.

Post by **BEJinFbk** » 15 Dec 2020, 22:58

Dave in Maine wrote: ↑15 Dec 2020, 15:34 1. Get after all the contact surfaces with a pencil eraser until you see bright metal. I see rust in your pictures, especially around the center rivet, and that tells me all the contacts have a coating of nonconductive oxide, much of which you probably cannot see.

2. My 850 used a 20A fuse for the lighter. Try a 20A.

3. When you insert the plug into the outlet, try gently twisting it in the socket until you get power.

+1 for cleaning and/or a little wiggle jiggle.

And that FM modulator draws nowhere near
10 amps. A larger fuse wouldn’t be a fix.
IIRC, the rated fuse for the cigarette lighter
( position 30 ) is 10 amps. A higher fuse value
is not a good idea - Things can get melty...

Post by **RickHaleParker** » 16 Dec 2020, 06:21

12V outlets can develop leakage currents that will push the current over the limit of the fuse when loaded. Over time heat damages the insulators. If the outlet is defective and it is un-switched it can be a source of phantom currents that drain the battery overnight.

The fuse is there to protect the wiring also. Do not put a higher rated fuse in it. Find the cause of the excess current and correct it.

Excess current in wiring is #3 in the list of fire causes. If you want to set your 850 on fire, take it out in a field ,dose it with Diesel fuel then toss the match. Don't be doing it on the public roads where the rest of us are. Do not use Petrol unless you trying to be a martyr.

Post by **scot850** » 16 Dec 2020, 16:57

You can also do that by not checking your B+ cable in the main fuse box to make sure it is not burnt and shorting out.

Neil.