Electrical:Cigarette lighter doesn't charge phone when drive

[Dominic]

Hello Everyone,
I was hoping someone could help me with this issue or if they had a similar issue.
I have a dual USB cigarette lighter adapter and in both cigarette lighter outlets in my 2002 3.5 don't give enough power to charge my S5, The charge indicator comes on and it 
makes the noise as if its connected then after a second I hear the chime again and the indicator for charging goes away, Then 
after a second I hear the chime again and indicator comes on and that process repeats. When it does stay on the percentage never goes up,
It is a cheap usb charger but it works in my Brother's fusion, Also I have a cigarette lighter 12v power adapter for standard plugs that works in his car and it doesn't even 
light up in my Aurora. What I'm wondering if someone could help, Is the Aurora design not allowing these things to work or do I have another issue?
i.e battery not giving enough power, Or a problem with the alternator? Any ideas are much appreciated and thanks to those who reply.
Dominic

[Paulaurora]

There is 2 outlets did u try both? plus some designs of the adapters might not seat well inside the socket and might be getting loose .. i have an S5 and charges fine in my aurora .. but my mp3 player original adapter keep getting loose doesn't sit right all the time.

[Dominic]

Thanks paulaurora for the reply. Yea both are the same, It isn't a S5 charger its a cheap usb one. But with my 12v power inverter the led doesnt even
come on with that one or else I'd use my regular wall charger. I'll buy a standard S5 cigarette charger. Thanks for your help

[guy48065]

I don't recall what the lighter sockets are fused at -- I think 10 amps. I know mine chargers a phone just fine. It might not be enough to run a 12vdc-120vac inverter though.

Try another usb adapter and cord.

[Dominic]

Funny thing the 12v inverter works when the car is not started, at 12.5 volts on the DIC and charges the phone fine, Volts slowly go down.
As soon as I start the engine the inverter stops working 15.0 to 15.5 volts on the DIC and the led on the inverter dims to barely lit then goes off???

[tigger]

I have a Schumacher 140W inverter that I take camping. Below is an excerpt from the information sheet, #2 should be very interesting to you! Check the specs on yours to see if something similar might be going on.


LED INDICATOR
AND
OVERLOAD PROTECTION

The LED glows GREEN automatically when plugged into
a 12V DC source and will not glow under the following
conditions:

1. When the power input from the vehicle’s battery drops
to approximately 10 volts, low battery shutdown occurs
and inverter shuts off.

2. When the power input the vehicle’s battery exceeds
15 volts, high voltage overload protections occurs.

3. The continuous load demand from the equipment or
device being operated exceeds 140 watts.

4. The case temperature becomes hot (exceeds 145°F).


I think your bigger issue is why your alternator is charging @15-15.5V, that's a bit high.

[Paulaurora]

My car always were 14.8 15 so is my moms 2002 3.5 never had and issue .. but never 15.5 so i not sure if its bad or not.

[Dominic]

Hi everyone, Thanks for the replies.
It usually runs around 14.5v to 15v but after the first time I plugged it in and it started to charge
when I started the car with it plugged in it went to 15.5v, Then the second time I tried it, it went to 15v.
Not sure if I have a bad ground or a possible problem with the alternator or a bad readout from the DIC...?
Its says 10.7v to 15.5v input. This one is old so maybe I just need a new one.
I really need to be able to charge my phone when driving. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks again
Dominic.

[tigger]

Suggestion;

SCOSCHE USBC242M

[Dominic]

Hi tigger, Many thanks. Looks like I'm gonna have to buy a proper usb one. Heres some pics of the POS I got.
I edited to op I should specified that the charger I was originally using was a dual usb adapter.
And I'd hear the charging chime on my phone then immediately hear it again as if I disconnected it, Repeating. Almost as if its not making a good connection,
And when it would stay on it would never charge. I might try bending the prongs out a bit. Its not a name brand one like your suggestion, Just a cheap one from ebay,
I just tried it again in my Brother's car and it doesn't work properly in there either, I thought it did at first so thats what led me to believe it was an electrical issue.
Thats why I went to the inverter, And the inverter does work fine in my Bro's car. But now I want to know why the inverter works while car is off but not while its running,
Maybe its getting to much voltage while running, Maybe its on its last legs... I'm gonna go to walmart and buy one to see if it works right and if not just return it.
I apologize if I jumped the gun and posted too soon before I tried everything, I just assumed a new adapter would've worked.
Thanks again everyone for all your help. I'll reply with my findings.

[bobsblue95]

The Scosche adapter listed above will only output 1 Amp per socket. I'd recommend you get a 2 Amp or better unit such as...
www.amazon.com/Aukey-Charger-Adapter-Smallest-Powerful/dp/B00M6QODH2/ref=pd_sim_cps_4?ie=UTF8&refRID=1T9DTA87D09ABN85F092

Also consider the cord itself as a weak link, as some will not pass the current needed by many Android devices.
Look into Charge-only cables... Media Bridge makes good ones, among other brands. Remember, 2 Amp rating.

WRT your lighter socket not powering up the inverter, have you tried it in all the sockets? Is the socket clean or rusty?
The two in the front console are on separate circuits (one is RAP, one is Ignition I think - mine's rewired to Battery, always hot.)

HTH

[tito]

Apr 22, 2015 21:37:22 GMT -6 Dominic said:

Hi tigger, Many thanks. Looks like I'm gonna have to buy a proper usb one. Heres some pics of the POS I got.
I edited to op I should specified that the charger I was originally using was a dual usb adapter.
And I'd hear the charging chime on my phone then immediately hear it again as if I disconnected it, Repeating. Almost as if its not making a good connection,
And when it would stay on it would never charge. I might try bending the prongs out a bit. Its not a name brand one like your suggestion, Just a cheap one from ebay,
I just tried it again in my Brother's car and it doesn't work properly in there either, I thought it did at first so thats what led me to believe it was an electrical issue.
Thats why I went to the inverter, And the inverter does work fine in my Bro's car. But now I want to know why the inverter works while car is off but not while its running,
Maybe its getting to much voltage while running, Maybe its on its last legs... I'm gonna go to walmart and buy one to see if it works right and if not just return it.
I apologize if I jumped the gun and posted too soon before I tried everything, I just assumed a new adapter would've worked.
Thanks again everyone for all your help. I'll reply with my findings.

[tito]

Ho...just thought I'd come in here i had that EXACT charger. I tossed it thinking it may be the issue even tho it worked in other vehicles. But i bought another one with a spring cord and it works PERFECT. i can't explain what the problem was. ..but I guess i found a fix.