12v socket problem

[WillC]

Hi all, just trundling down France and my 12v ‘gearstick’ socket has stopped working. I have a standard 12v cigarette male socket plugged in leading to a portable battery (input to this via solid Andersen plug). The battery is connected to a compressor fridge (2-pin connector to kettle-type fridge input). When driving I plug in the 12v to charge the battery. It’s worked ok for ages. Yesterday the battery stopped charging. The 12v socket felt quite hot, but it often does. I assumed fuse in 12v blown do replaced but no good. Played with the 12v plug and it looked ok. Tried a replacement (unscrewed the end from the 2-pin part and tried another ‘end’) but still no good. Got passenger seat off to find car fuse (as per another thread - thanks for that). Single 20A fuse in situ - blown. Replaced fuse and as soon as it went it, click, blown. So… can I assume the 12v socket in by the gearstick is faulty and causing a short circuit? Don’t think there’s much I can do about it if that’s the case. For info the twin USB C sockets both work so assume other fuse for them somewhere? I could try the other 12v socket on the dash but think this might also use same 20A fuse?
Any ideas most welcome, thanks.

 

[Vinyl1210]

Hi. Not sure if I read correctly but as a ‘fault finding electrician’ diagnosing from a far.

If when you replaced the 20 Van fuse you had the cigarette lighter adapter plugged in and it blew immediately, I’d say the plug in adapter is knackered.

If you DID NOT have that plugged in but 20 Amp blew immediately then I’d say it’s the cigarette lighter socket in the gear column shroud.

I think??? The above dash lighter socket is fed from a different van fuse as from what I’ve read they are fed from different places so would make sense.

Someone more knowledgeable on the configuration will confirm though, but re the adapter I’m happy with diagnosis.

I feel you’ve probably overloaded/cooked the adapter. You’d be better installing a dedicated Anderson type set up from a hard wired fuse. (Appreciate you can’t do this until you get back tho).

Hope above helps.

 

[WillC]

Thanks for reply. Yes, fuse blew with nothing inserted into the 12v socket, so must be socket (I agree). The Great Plan for the winter is to wire everything up properly, with underseat LiPo, fuseboard, lights, USBs… and a decent connection direct to fridge. The issues around 12v sockets appear a lot on this forum - add me to the list of victims