12V Port dead. A fuse?

[NCC1701]

All I've used the port for was powering a notebook, an air compressor, a power inverter. Oh, and a cigarette lighter.

The port is dead. I'm guessing a blown fuse. Haven't noticed anything else unpowered. Does the port have its own dedicated fuse? If so, which one is it?

I checked the online manual. It only goes through fuse #20.

[jwight]

#21 for the 12v outlet: Evilution - Smart Car Encyclopaedia

[NCC1701]

Thanks jwight! I'm embarrassed that I didn't think of that resource.

[mvaldes]

The OM does says a max draw of 5 amps is permitted from the 12 volt outlet. Might want to check the power draw of stuff like your inverter.

[chieftmc]

Originally Posted by mvaldes

The OM does says a max draw of 5 amps is permitted from the 12 volt outlet. Might want to check the power draw of stuff like your inverter.

My guess would be the cigarette lighter

BIG power draw

[SuperGeek]

5 amps at 12 volts is only 60 watts... not even enough to power a laptop (60-150W typical) with an inverter (70-90% efficiency typical). Very likely a fuse issue... can't imagine why they made it such a weak circuit. If we're going to power something it may as well do more than light up a book.

[NCC1701]

Originally Posted by SuperGeek

5 amps at 12 volts is only 60 watts... not even enough to power a laptop (60-150W typical) with an inverter (70-90% efficiency typical). Very likely a fuse issue... can't imagine why they made it such a weak circuit. If we're going to power something it may as well do more than light up a book.

If what you say is true, that could explain how I blew the fuse. But, I'd used the car to power my notebook quite a lot before the problem surfaced. For what it's worth, the fuse is 15 Amp.

[mvaldes]

The 5 amp "limit" came from page 165. Seemed low to me too, but there it is.

[NCC1701]

Originally Posted by mvaldes

The 5 amp "limit" came from page 165. Seemed low to me too, but there it is.

Is it possible that is a typo? I'm in the printing industry and see typos every day I work. Ok, probably not a typo ... I'm not too swift when it comes to electronics. Why the 15 Amp fuse for a circuit rated for 5 Amps?

[SuperGeek]

Laptops vary widely in their power requirements... my wife's comes with an 80W power supply, which at 70% inverter efficiency (a cheap one) would consume about 115W or 10 amps @ 12V. More advanced hardware will take more power, obviously. You may consider buying a Kill-A-Watt device - plug it into a 120V AC socket, plug whatever you want to measure into the KAW, and it'll show you how much power it's consuming - instant and over time.

The 5 amp limit is also shown on my "power port cover" which looks an awful lot like a plastic cigarette lighter. I'm guessing the written 5 amps was to allow for someone that plugs in 10 amps thinking it's close enough.