# Car question: the power outlet **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [June 16, 2020, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-question-the-power-outlet/855809 "2020-06-16T23:04:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2020, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-question-the-power-outlet/855809/1 "2020-06-16T23:04:52Z")
I have a 2000 Civic. A few months ago, I bought a USB cord for my devices to plug into the battery outlet. Only when I tried it, it didn’t work to charge my then-flip phone or iPad. Then I realized that voltages and such were probably different now than they were then. Is there a cord I can buy today in common places (big box store, car supply shop) that would work? If so, what do I need to keep an eye on from the label to make sure? ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2020, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-question-the-power-outlet/855809/2 "2020-06-16T23:09:01Z")
The voltages are the same. I’m not sure what you mean by ‘battery outlet’, but the cigarette lighter still provides 12v and the USB is 5v. If it’s not charging you have something else going on. As for where to buy a new cord, you can get it just about anywhere. Best Buy, Target, Amazon, even gas stations sell them. ---
**Author:** ![WildaBeast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wildabeast/32/6_2.png) [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2020, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-question-the-power-outlet/855809/3 "2020-06-16T23:12:06Z")
Check the fuse. Actually there are probably two fuses to check – one in the car’s fuse box and one inside the adapter itself. ---
**Author:** ![Folly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folly/32/3219_2.png) [@Folly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folly)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2020, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-question-the-power-outlet/855809/4 "2020-06-16T23:29:36Z")
Outlet will probably be providing 12 V. Are we talking something like [this](https://www.amazon.com/Aduro-Charger-Adapter-iPhone-Samsung/dp/B07D9WK6VT/ref=sr_1_14?dchild=1&keywords=Car+12+Volt+Mobile+Charging+Plug&qid=1592349093&sr=8-14)connector? Sometimes there is a switch somewhere that activates/deactivates that sort of thing. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2020, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-question-the-power-outlet/855809/5 "2020-06-16T23:31:05Z")
Just to get this out of the way: On many cars (though not all) there is only power to the “cigarette lighter” when the car is turned on. Is it possible you were trying to use it with the car off? ---
**Author:** ![lobotomyboy63](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobotomyboy63/32/2900_2.png) [@lobotomyboy63](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lobotomyboy63)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2020, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-question-the-power-outlet/855809/6 "2020-06-16T23:31:15Z")
> [@Leaper](#): > > I have a 2000 Civic. A few months ago, I bought a USB cord for my devices to plug into the battery outlet. Only when I tried it, it didn’t work to charge my then-flip phone or iPad. Then I realized that voltages and such were probably different now than they were then. > > Is there a cord I can buy today in common places (big box store, car supply shop) that would work? If so, what do I need to keep an eye on from the label to make sure? Mrs L has a Kia that runs into some problems. There’s a USB port (not the 12V cig lighter) but it seemed to think that we were trying to play songs rather than charging. I ended up getting one of these little guys to plug into the 12V and all was fine after that. You don’t have to convert to 2 USB…they also make for just one. [https://www.amazon.com/Cargador-salida-compacto-unidades-Samsung/dp/B01N6C7U5W/ref=sr\_1\_2\_sspa?dchild=1&keywords=usb+to+12v+adapter&qid=1592350220&sr=8-2-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEyTTZQNDBEWjQ5TVZDJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNzA5MjI0MlBFME9JNFpVVU9PSiZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwOTk4NTYxMkVGSzZaSElJNDRWOSZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=](https://www.amazon.com/Cargador-salida-compacto-unidades-Samsung/dp/B01N6C7U5W/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?dchild=1&keywords=usb+to+12v+adapter&qid=1592350220&sr=8-2-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEyTTZQNDBEWjQ5TVZDJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNzA5MjI0MlBFME9JNFpVVU9PSiZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwOTk4NTYxMkVGSzZaSElJNDRWOSZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=) ---
**Author:** ![OttoDaFe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ottodafe/32/356_2.png) [@OttoDaFe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OttoDaFe)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2020, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-question-the-power-outlet/855809/7 "2020-06-16T23:33:39Z")
On my car the USB port is for connecting a phone or MP3 player to the sound system; it has no charge capability. ---
**Author:** ![peccavi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peccavi/32/388_2.png) [@peccavi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/peccavi)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2020, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-question-the-power-outlet/855809/8 "2020-06-16T23:36:07Z")
If you are talking about a USB outlet, I’ve found that on some cars these outlets don’t put out enough current to keep some devices charged. Some devices (e.g. iPhone) will indicate they can’t charge. Others (e.g. Samsung Note) will indicate they are charging, but slowly lose charge if actively used while driving. I’ve also found that even the cheapest ($5.99) lighter connector will usually provide plenty of current for a couple of devices (discovered on a road trip to a resort in Pennsylvania) ---
**Author:** ![Folly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folly/32/3219_2.png) [@Folly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folly)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2020, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-question-the-power-outlet/855809/9 "2020-06-16T23:39:58Z")
> [@Folly](#): > > Outlet will probably be providing 12 V. Are we talking something like [this](https://www.amazon.com/Aduro-Charger-Adapter-iPhone-Samsung/dp/B07D9WK6VT/ref=sr_1_14?dchild=1&keywords=Car+12+Volt+Mobile+Charging+Plug&qid=1592349093&sr=8-14)connector? > > Sometimes there is a switch somewhere that activates/deactivates that sort of thing. OK. No switch that I can find. Sorry for the [youtube video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPCQzAdBNa8), but it runs through fuse locations. ---
**Author:** ![Folly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folly/32/3219_2.png) [@Folly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folly)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2020, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-question-the-power-outlet/855809/10 "2020-06-16T23:42:11Z")
Guys, this is a 2000 civic. We’re not talking built in USB plugs here. ---
**Author:** ![peccavi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peccavi/32/388_2.png) [@peccavi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/peccavi)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2020, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-question-the-power-outlet/855809/11 "2020-06-16T23:49:26Z")
> [@Folly](#): > > Guys, this is a 2000 civic. We’re not talking built in USB plugs here. So, you have a cigarette lighter charger and a separate USB cable? Try both in another car. If you get charging, your Civic’s lighter port is not working (could be a fuse, could be something else). If they don’t work, try another cable, if that doesn’t work, then try another charger (two ports for $5.99 at CVS!) ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2020, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-question-the-power-outlet/855809/12 "2020-06-17T05:46:58Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > Just to get this out of the way: On many cars (though not all) there is only power to the “cigarette lighter” when the car is turned on. Is it possible you were trying to use it with the car off? Turns out it was this. :smack: I had no idea; this was the first time I’d ever really thought of using it. I just assumed it was a power thing. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![gotpasswords](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c57346/32.png) [@gotpasswords](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gotpasswords)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2020, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-question-the-power-outlet/855809/13 "2020-06-17T21:12:06Z")
Just to keep things confusing, some cars have more than one lighter socket, (Mine has four) and one or more of them may be set up as a constant on. Your experience may vary, so read your owners manual to see which, if any, can stay on. Wouldn’t surprise me if some cars allow you to configure one or more outlets to stay on constantly. In many newer cars, what looks like a simple fuse block is actually a computer-driven power controller to enable functions like “retained power” where the radio stays on and you can put the windows up after turning the ignition off, or battery-saving moves like turning off the headlights if you leave them on after turning off the engine and leaving the car. ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2020, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-question-the-power-outlet/855809/14 "2020-07-01T04:51:29Z")
Aftermarket radios might have them, though I doubt it. We have a 1998 Civic and the “cigarette lighter” plug does a perfectly good job of keeping things charged as needed. I second/third the suggestion to check the fuses. I bought a charger like that for my CRV, 10+ years back, and it would instantly fry the fuse when I tried to use it (the thing was defective; per its rating it should NOT have blown the fuse). ---
**Author:** ![Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e36b37/32.png) [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airman_Doors_USAF)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2020, 6:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-question-the-power-outlet/855809/15 "2020-07-01T06:16:37Z")
Out of curiosity, what car is that? If the port is drawing data from the device it should be sending charge back to the device since the data and charging pins are different yet are universal to the connection.