TOAK the Thread Of All Knowledge IX
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: TOAK Northern Branch
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I pose a question to the TOAK.
I'm pretty sure I already know the answer but, are all 12v cig lighters in cars and bikes the same? Is the polarity reversed say on a Ford vs a Chevy?
The original lighter that came on my bike quit working and I just got one for a vehicle and had no problems, well until I dropped it on I-40 East. Baker almost caught it as it bounced down the road.
He had bought a replacement for his own and it kept blowing fuses whenever it was pushed in, even a 30amp fuse. I stopped somewhere in TN on the way back and got one from an auto supply place and it did the same thing for me. Blew a 15amp fuse. Lost signals, odometer, etc., and of course I didn't have a spare fuse on the bike.
So what's the deal? If it's even the case, could a simple reversal in polarity on a 12v DC heating coil cause it to draw that much amperage?
If not all car lighters are the same, then what manufacturer corresponds to Harley's set up?
I'm pretty sure I already know the answer but, are all 12v cig lighters in cars and bikes the same? Is the polarity reversed say on a Ford vs a Chevy?
The original lighter that came on my bike quit working and I just got one for a vehicle and had no problems, well until I dropped it on I-40 East. Baker almost caught it as it bounced down the road.
He had bought a replacement for his own and it kept blowing fuses whenever it was pushed in, even a 30amp fuse. I stopped somewhere in TN on the way back and got one from an auto supply place and it did the same thing for me. Blew a 15amp fuse. Lost signals, odometer, etc., and of course I didn't have a spare fuse on the bike.
So what's the deal? If it's even the case, could a simple reversal in polarity on a 12v DC heating coil cause it to draw that much amperage?
If not all car lighters are the same, then what manufacturer corresponds to Harley's set up?
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: TOAK Northern Branch
Posts: 34,574
Received 2,087 Likes
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One way to find out use a multimeter to check to see where the positive is on the bike (centre or sides) and check on a vehicle. Maybe HD made the sides the positive while vehicles are the centre. Not sure if it matters, but it might.
Yeah, I can do that, but I'm curious as to why it would even make a difference as far as the lighter is concerned? Obviously a 12v DC motor is going to change rotational direction if the polarity is reversed, but this is a simple resistance coil
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: TOAK Northern Branch
Posts: 34,574
Received 2,087 Likes
on
1,601 Posts
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: TOAK Northern Branch
Posts: 34,574
Received 2,087 Likes
on
1,601 Posts
I'm not sure either. DC is one of the simple things in life. But being HD, they have to make if more difficult so you have to buy HD products.
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: TOAK Northern Branch
Posts: 34,574
Received 2,087 Likes
on
1,601 Posts