Cigarette Socket - Incompatible with accessory lead

[Adam D]

Hiya fellow Zedders! - Today I bought a device (http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=225153) which will charge from a 12v dc cigarette socket. Unfortunately this doesn't seem to be compatible with the Z4's cigar lighter and it will not charge or function.


Is the plug on the end of the lead. It pushes in very firmly and like the other posts suggest ive rotated it and given it a good push home (actually made the whole socket loose and when removing it I had to hold the outer metal ring down to get it out). A voltmeter shows that 12v dc is present between the central point at the end of the socket and the surround and 14.4v when the engine is running, it is also live with the ignition switched off.

I have searched the forum and google and not found a conclusive answer showing the correct type of plug which works with the standard Z4 cigar socket, I did find lots of posts of other owners struggling to get devices to charge (wiggling or splicing into the wires directly seem to be popular solutions).

Does anybody have a photo of the plug(s) used which have sucessfully worked with the socket - maybe I could find an adaptor or make my own lead if I knew what to aim for (the lead simply has a 25amp inline fuse with 2 large fork connectors on the other end which could be switched to 4mm banana plugs). My other alternative is to make something which has crocodile clips and a cigar socket at the other end and clip onto the battery in the boot.

I'm hoping to take this to Le Mans in June to charge my Phone, PMR, and Camera

 

[Greeno]

TomTom cable works fine. i too have to hold the metal ring down when i pull anything out. havent gotten round to investigating what has come loose/broken yet though.

As probably the simplest work around - although maybe a little unsightly how about getting one of those multi socket adapters and running it through one of them - means no slicing and splicing of cables

 

[gannet]

never had any trouble... tomtom, phone chargers, AUX amplifier and extension cable all work fine :idunno:

 

[mmm-five]

Have you checked the fuse in the lead?

 

[sk93]

there are two types of plug for the Z4 I believe.. there's the "smoking" outfit and the "non-smoking" outfit.
The smoking ones comes with the cigar lighter, which is not powerful enough to run modern accessories (try plugging a fridge into it for expert results )
the non-smoking one comes with an "accessory" socket, which does run things perfectly.

I have the "smoking" edition.
I learnt this by going to the dealers and asking why my cigarette lighter wouldn't power my fridge (powered coolbox).
The saleswomen explained the above and when I questioned it, she showed me on a 3.0SI outside which had the non-smoking edition, and it worked flawlessly..


Now we all know dealers are often "expansive" with the truth, but it made sense to me.

 

[Andy]

isnt there two types of cigar lead end ? one with a longer "snout" ?

I've bought things years ago that came with both types, thats why the end unscrews.

 

[Smokin]

never had any trouble... tomtom, phone chargers, AUX amplifier and extension cable all work fine :idunno:

Same here!

there are two types of plug for the Z4 I believe.. there's the "smoking" outfit and the "non-smoking" outfit.
The smoking ones comes with the cigar lighter, which is not powerful enough to run modern accessories (try plugging a fridge into it for expert results )
the non-smoking one comes with an "accessory" socket, which does run things perfectly.

I have the "smoking" edition.
I learnt this by going to the dealers and asking why my cigarette lighter wouldn't power my fridge (powered coolbox).
The saleswomen explained the above and when I questioned it, she showed me on a 3.0SI outside which had the non-smoking edition, and it worked flawlessly..


Now we all know dealers are often "expansive" with the truth, but it made sense to me.

Nope. At least not in the US. I have the cigarette lighter/ashtray set up and everything works.

isnt there two types of cigar lead end ? one with a longer "snout" ?

I've bought things years ago that came with both types, thats why the end unscrews.

That may be a distinct possibility! Perhaps the longer end is for older cars?

 

[Adam D]

Have you checked the fuse in the lead?

Yup, it had perfect continuity and the socket had power ruling out fuse 5 on the car.

Tonight Dad let me try a couple of his fridge leads from work and I measured the voltage across the output pins.

Of the two designs tested this fired up first time and the green light was lit and stable. The other type with a pointy tip and red collar didn't fit at all.

This plug has a larger spring loaded nose and the side conductors sit nearer the tip - pushed in with ease and no messing around.


I just need to find a place to purchase a lead or plug with this end.

I must have the smokers option in my car as it has the lighter and ashtray, the owners manual says this is find upto 200w power output for running vacuums and other devices. I know it has a 15 amp fuse which I am mindful of overloading!

 

[mmm-five]

Just find your nearest Maplins and by the different end.

Have a look at their online catalogue so you know exactly what to ask for.

 

[cj10jeeper]

Blackberry charger, tyre compressor (2 types) all work just fine

As mentioned before always have to keep the silver ring pressed in, else it pulls the thing to pieces

 

[Adam D]

Thanks for the tips Just found out my friend has a spare plug from maplins on a lead which I can try it out with (uses it to trickle charge his F355 from a solar cell).

 

[ozy-z4]

This search thing actually works.

Just tried to plug my Navman into the cigarette socket tonight for the first time, no power comes down the line.

I know there is power there as the lighter heats up when pressed.

According to this search it looks like I have to go and buy a new power cable that fits. :thumbsdown:

 

[mjh1234mjh]

I'm having a similar problem. I bought a belkin micro USB charger for my iPhone and it doesn't seem to fit. I've pushed quite hard and it won't go in. Anyone managed to fit one? I bought it because it should fit flush into the lighter socket and be able to close the ash tray lid.

 

[christurbo]

I just found out that I have the smoking package and thus cannot power my TomTom Nav or other things. Does anyone know what adapter will fit as this is a major setback for me as I use my Nav on weekends away.

 

[ozy-z4]

This search thing actually works.

Just tried to plug my Navman into the cigarette socket tonight for the first time, no power comes down the line.

I know there is power there as the lighter heats up when pressed.

According to this search it looks like I have to go and buy a new power cable that fits. :thumbsdown:

As a followup, I found out today that if I wiggled the plug around I could find a spot where it made contact. I then went for a 45min drive to see of contact was lost when you went over a bump.

It didn't so I may have solved it, not a perfect solution but worth a try for a while.

 

[Friengineer]

Hi all, I had this problem and found it was due to the previous owners use of the cigarette lighter. Basically, it had caused the copper contact to corrode and not allow a good enough contact point for the type of connector shown by the op.

Ordered a new socket. Took no more than 15 mins to remove the tray, pull out the socket, put the new one in, test and replace in the car. Works absolutely fine now . Part number is 61 34 6 977 682

 

[jimbo1958]

I'm having a similar problem. I bought a belkin micro USB charger for my iPhone and it doesn't seem to fit. I've pushed quite hard and it won't go in. Anyone managed to fit one? I bought it because it should fit flush into the lighter socket and be able to close the ash tray lid.

I bought one of these Belkin Micro's for a £1. Works Ok for me.

 

[Friengineer]

I'm having a similar problem. I bought a belkin micro USB charger for my iPhone and it doesn't seem to fit. I've pushed quite hard and it won't go in. Anyone managed to fit one? I bought it because it should fit flush into the lighter socket and be able to close the ash tray lid.

I bought one of these Belkin Micro's for a £1. Works Ok for me.

I think most of the issues will be down to corrosion of the contact point. Least I can keep my phone charged now .