The auxiliary power outlet is available in nearly 100% of vehicles on the road today, and was for many decades the sole way for drivers and passengers to get electrical power from their vehicle's alternator. In addition to its original purpose as a cigar or cigarette lighter, the socket is now used to recharge phones and power dashcams and even small cooking appliances.
Due to their widespread use in the automotive world, the outlets are often included as power outputs on portable power stations and generators. Most portable power stations can be recharged from the vehicle's auxiliary power port, though at a slower rate than charging from grid power outlets.
Terminology note
The auxiliary power outlet goes by a huge number of names around the world, including:
- Cigar lighter or cigarette lighter (technically the male plug was the lighter, not the female port)
- 12v power outlet
- Accessory power port
- Car/automobile auxiliary power outlet or aux power outlet
- Automotive power socket or power port
- Ciggy port
- ... and many other variations
Electrical capability
Auxiliary power outlets are typically fused at 10A (10 amps), so it's safest to assume you will only be able to pull 120 watts total from them without popping a fuse. Pro tip: check the fuse sizes for your car and carry extras, especially fuses for the ciggy port.
You can run 12v (DC) devices that have a male cigarette connector from the outlet, or use a USB adapter to connect USB-powered devices.
You can also run a small inverter off the port to power household AC devices. However:
- Inverters require power of their own (up to about 20%) which will increase the load over what is indicated on your AC device's sticker, so don't use devices that draw more than 100w.
- Small inverters are typically modified sine wave, which isn't appropriate for all types of loads. Small pure sine wave inverters do exist, but take care not to exceed the port's capacity.
- Inverters with cords that plug into the port put less mechanical strain on the port than units that plug directly in. If you own an all-in-one plugin you may want to use an extension/splitter to minimize stress on the port. If the port is your only source of power you want to treat it gently.
Heaters and cooking appliances
Appliances and devices that use electricity to generate heat may not work very well, may fail to work at all, or may otherwise break with an auxiliary power port. For example, diesel heaters are very unlikely to start up. Heating water will be very slow, especially if you need it to boil.
Resources
| Search Amazon | Search Amazon for related products. | |
| Wikipedia | Wikipedia article on this topic. | |
| Search forums and groups | Search van life discussion groups for "auxiliary power outlets" | |
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| Search NomadLife.wiki | Search other pages on this wiki for "auxiliary power outlets" |