car cigarette lighter polarity

[dustinpruente]

i am hooking up a cigarette lighter in my computer, and i need to know the polarity for the pins on the lighter module. i cant find these diagrams anywhere. it looks a little like this,

oo
o o
o p o
o o
oo

the p is the pin in the middle, and the o's are the other contact, it surrounds the lighter module.

 

[jrz126]

pin in the center is +, outer sheild is -

You are going to power 12v items with your computer power supply?
be sure that you dont draw too many amps.

 

[dustinpruente]

yeah, ive already abandoned the idea. by the way, what do burned up electronics smell like, i dont have too much experience with burn ups and i am just curious.

 

[Nigel Goodwin]

pin in the center is +, outer sheild is -

I'd be VERY inclined to test it with a meter, I've seen just as many wired the other way as well!.

 

[jrz126]

yeah, ive already abandoned the idea. by the way, what do burned up electronics smell like, i dont have too much experience with burn ups and i am just curious.

You'll know it when you smell it. It aint pretty...Someone on here referred to it as the "You screwed up smell" :lol:

 

[chemelec]

pin in the center is +, outer sheild is -

It Used to be that way, But a lot of Auto Manufacturers, now wire them in Reverse.

Contrary to the fact that Every cable I have ever seen is center Positive.

 

[jrz126]

Doesnt make sense to switch it though.

 

[Nigel Goodwin]

Doesnt make sense to switch it though.

Who said it had to make sense?, but don't assume - always check!.

We get LOADS of customer who bring portable TV's back, they plug it in the car and the fuse blows - I ALWAYS tell them to bring the car down and I check it for them. This is how I know that many cars are wired centre negative.