I keep popping my cigarette lighter fuse
 

i have a painless wiring harness first off, yes i wired it right :lol:


i am trying to plug in my radar detector and everytime i push it into the socket it pops the fuse, could the radar be too much draw on the system? its a 20 amp fuse and i dont even want to try putting a higher rated fuse in there for fear of burning another harness... any suggestions?

Re: I keep popping my cigarette lighter fuse
 

quick update... its the radar... my other cobra model works fine... the one i want to hook up is a passport 3000... any suggestions? i might do another 5 amps and see what happens...

Re: I keep popping my cigarette lighter fuse
 

IMO there is something wrong with the detector as it should not blow fuses . I would try it in another vehicle

Re: I keep popping my cigarette lighter fuse
 

good idea, no dice though it works perfect in my 87 325 bmw...

im going to check the amp rating of the bmw's fuse and report back in

Re: I keep popping my cigarette lighter fuse
 

the cigar lighter on the bmw is 30A... 10 amps makes a big difference huh...


ok what i think i need to do is up my current fuse to 30 amps, that being said the wire to the cigar lighter and the wire to the ignition are the exact same except color, however the ignition fuse is 35 amps, should i do it? or not?

Re: I keep popping my cigarette lighter fuse
 

Check to see how the plug looks and is placed into your stock(?) cigarette lighter port...it may be that it is hitting in a spot which is causing the fuse to pop...I would get two jumpers one with a fuse in the line and connect them to your radar plug...see if the fuse of the same rating pops...if not it is in the lighter port...the way it connects...Just a possibility. Best of luck

Re: I keep popping my cigarette lighter fuse
 

I agree

Re: I keep popping my cigarette lighter fuse
 

............................or just drive the speed limit................:lol:

Re: I keep popping my cigarette lighter fuse
 

both of the radars have the exact same end on them except the cobra has larger side contacts, meaning if anything is touching something wrong it isnt the passport... heres a pic, left is the passport (pops fuses) right is the cobra (doesnt pop them)

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u...0323111849.jpg

Re: I keep popping my cigarette lighter fuse
 

my bad its a passport 8500... my eyes are going bad lol

link to specs... https://www.escortradar.com/store/pa...-x50-blue.html look at the price!!! :) he let me HAVE it for FREE

Re: I keep popping my cigarette lighter fuse
 

ok it'll run it off of a 30A fuse, it still pops a 25A though, i dont know what the deal is but im going to buy a new cigar lighter any ways because even when it was working it was sparking out of the cigar lighter when i touched it and wouldnt hold a constant contact,


now where can i buy a quality lighter socket? autoparts store? generic? order one for MY truck specifically? what? somebody throw me an answer lol

Re: I keep popping my cigarette lighter fuse
 

I just cannot see the detector drawing more then 20 amps , I doubt trying a 30 amp fuse would hurt anything as if it is a dead short it will blow before any damage is done


Lol ok you posted that while I was still typing...ya I would try a new socket

Re: I keep popping my cigarette lighter fuse
 

when i say sparking, i mean it looked like a welder shooting off inside my truck when i twisted the plug, where might i buy a new socket?

Re: I keep popping my cigarette lighter fuse
 

I know they look somewhat alike but small differences and how they interact with your cig lighter can still be the prob. It could be the way the spring loaded tip compresses or not driving the pin inward or sides down lower...??? Its worth testing. You can replace or rework it...you could even add ports

Anyway hope it works out

Re: I keep popping my cigarette lighter fuse
 

Changed one in a chevelle for a customer, her gps would pop the fuse. I went from a "lighter" to a power outlet. The insides are different and the gps plug would short out the lighter style. Jay

Re: I keep popping my cigarette lighter fuse
 

They don't draw 20 amps - its in the connector or the plug - most likely an old connector. Replace with a power outlet as recommended - they are more reliable and can handle more power for longer periods.

Cigarette lighters are meant for quick power boosts - enough to make the filament glow red.