Re: Cigarette Lighter - Quick Question

Posted by HH56 On 2012/11/4 15:33:47

In addition to the dirty contact there may be a length and width problem with the button on the adapter. Seems like there is lots of variation.

I just looked at my 56 and compared to a Ford, the center conductor is dirty and also recessed a bit more. The lighters actually make their voltage contact on the side. There's some tabs at the bottom (3 on the Packard, 2 on the Ford) which touch the metal surrounding the element. Ground is via the element center post which is connected to the lighters upper outer shell.

Adapters use the center contact instead of the tabs. My adapter button doesn't quite reach the recessed center because it hits the surrounding insulator base first. End is also slightly narrower than the lighter. I can make it work by wiggling it so the end tilts slightly. It must touch one of the side tabs when tilted. Just sticking it straight in & it doesn't contact.