I bought a USB adapter for my lighter, since I don’t smoke in the car. Couldn’t get it to work, and have been too busy with other things (read “work”) to look into it.
The one I bought looks an awful lot like this one, but with only 1 USB port: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00MH3USBE/ref=mp_s_a_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1477340376&sr=8-10&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=cigarette+lighter+adapter+usb
As it turns out, it does work on the lighter port built into the emergency battery booster I have. And the charger for my portable work light has a lighter adapter that works on the car. I also checked the lighter sockets polarity on the suggestion of a fellow enthusiast, it’s center pin positive and shell to ground, as expected.
Looking closer at the lighter itself and the USB adapter, it appears that the latter is about 3-5mm too short to reach the contact at the bottom of the socket. The collar prevents it from going further in.
Problem identified. Now to find a new adapter. Ideally one with either a longer shell or contact pin so it will reach the bottom of the socket, and ideally 2 USB ports at 2amps each.
If you have a suggestion, please leave a comment!
On longer drives when using the phone as a GPS, it’s nice to be able to power the phone while driving and not arrive with an empty battery.
