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07-01-2017, 03:52 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Oklahoma City, OK
Posts: 533
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Using a cigarette lighter socket to jump start a/c
On my RV7A panel the builder had an extra cigarette lighter style socket installed for the purpose plugging in a solar powered charger for the aircraft battery. My hangar has electrical power so I use a Battery Minder charger during the winter months to keep things charged and it plugs into a separate connection secured near the battery itself.
Looking at this cigarette lighter socket got me to thinking about the idea of converting it to an external emergency "jump starting" port. It doesn't work as a second cigarette lighter (USB outlet) port since it's directly wired to the battery. It's not wired through a circuit breaker.
Has anyone else tried to use a cigarette lighter port for an emergency jump starting port? If so what type (gage) wire did you use? What type (brand) of battery jumper did you use?
If this is a truly bad idea please speak up.
__________________
Jim Harris, ATP, T38, EC/KC-135A/E/R, 2008 RV7A, 2nd owner, N523RM (2015)
Superior XPIO-360, Hartzel CS prop, Aerotronics panel with Dual GRT Horizon WS, EIS, Garmin 340, 335 w/WAAS gps, Dual 430s (non-WAAS), TruTrak 385 A/P with auto-level, Electric trim, Tosten 6 button Military Grips, FlightBox wired to WS, Dynon D10A w/battery backup, 406 MHz ELT. Custom Interior, New TS Flightline hoses, Great POH!
Retired - Living the dream - going broke! 
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07-01-2017, 04:08 PM
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VAF Moderator / Line Boy
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Dayton, NV
Posts: 12,245
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Yeah......you see the size of your starter cable? That how big it needs to be. And most cigar lighter sockets are thin, cheap metal. No idea how you'd make a connection that worked.
__________________
Paul F. Dye
Editor at Large - KITPLANES Magazine
RV-8 - N188PD - "Valkyrie"
RV-6 (By Marriage) - N164MS - "Mikey"
RV-3B - N13PL - "Tsamsiyu"
A&P, EAA Tech Counselor/Flight Advisor
Dayton Valley Airpark (A34)
http://Ironflight.com
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07-01-2017, 04:14 PM
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Join Date: May 2005
Location: X35 - Ocala, FL
Posts: 3,679
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Those cigarette lighter sockets can handle maybe 10-20Amps max. Your jump starter sometimes put out 200Amps. You should not use it for anything but charging.
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Jesse Saint
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07-01-2017, 10:10 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Oklahoma City, OK
Posts: 533
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Thanks
Paul and Jesse thanks!
I was kind of thinking the same. I figured if the idea had any merit people would have already tried it. But I needed to ask just to be sure.
It would be nice however if there was a simple way to have an external battery jumper connection that was far enough away from the prop that someone could safely jump a discharged battery.
__________________
Jim Harris, ATP, T38, EC/KC-135A/E/R, 2008 RV7A, 2nd owner, N523RM (2015)
Superior XPIO-360, Hartzel CS prop, Aerotronics panel with Dual GRT Horizon WS, EIS, Garmin 340, 335 w/WAAS gps, Dual 430s (non-WAAS), TruTrak 385 A/P with auto-level, Electric trim, Tosten 6 button Military Grips, FlightBox wired to WS, Dynon D10A w/battery backup, 406 MHz ELT. Custom Interior, New TS Flightline hoses, Great POH!
Retired - Living the dream - going broke!
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07-01-2017, 10:17 PM
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Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Prescott, AZ
Posts: 1,613
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Cup of coffee
Use it for a dead battery. It will work fine. Just hook up a standard car battery charger... set at about 6 amps. Go have coffee at the airport cafe and then come back to start your plane. As mentioned.... do not connect a large current capacity to it.... or things will begin to melt. Rapidly.
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"Kindness is never a bad plan."
exemption option waived. Donation appropriate.
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07-02-2017, 12:16 AM
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Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Floyds Knobs, IN
Posts: 631
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Splice an inline fuse into the lead to the battery. Even if you cap the socket when not in use, it's still available to smoke the wires if there is a short or too much current tries to flow.
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RV-6, bought from builder.
O-320, slider, carb, mags, FP
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07-02-2017, 10:32 AM
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Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Palm City, FL
Posts: 315
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The cigarette lighter plug makes a real crappy connection. Even at 10 amps it will heat up.
I installed one thinking I'll charge the battery through it with a regular charger and I don't like how hot it gets, so I'm putting the charger straight on the battery terminals instead.
Forget about jumpstarting. You'll definitely let the smoke out of the lighter plug.
Jumpstarting will also mess with your alternator. Once the engine gets started and the battery is completely discharged it will make your alternator and its regulator work at close to max capacity for while.
It's way better for both the battery and the alternator to charge the battery up nicely with a charger.
__________________
Lenny Iszak
Palm City, FL
2014 RV-10, N311LZ - 650 hrs
OnSpeed development team
Last edited by Lenny Iszak : 07-03-2017 at 09:29 AM.
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07-10-2017, 03:41 PM
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Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: San Jose, CA
Posts: 1,125
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MercFE
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Has anybody used one of these before? This looks like something that could be useful to have in the plane just in case.
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Kelly Johnson
San Jose, CA
RV-9A
Pink slip issued: 5/7/12
First flight: 5/28/12, Memorial Day.
Phase I Complete: 8/18/12!
2020 donation: complete
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07-10-2017, 03:51 PM
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Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Maple Valley, WA
Posts: 273
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I have it installed in my RV-9A and have the EarthX jump pack as well. Keep it charged and carry it with my flight kit... Just in case.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ArVeeNiner
Has anybody used one of these before? This looks like something that could be useful to have in the plane just in case.
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