These plug into your vehicle’s accessory outlet just like the adapters mentioned above, but feature USB outlets that you can use to charge cell phones and tablets. If your vehicle doesn’t come equipped with its own USB outlet, you can also pick up a 12V USB adapter. There are even splitter adapters available which allow you to power multiple devices simultaneously from the same outlet. If your device doesn’t come with a hard-wired 12V DC plug, you can pick up a DC power adapter, which functions the same way. A number of DC devices, such as CB radios, some GPS units and DVD players come equipped with a hard-wired 12V DC plug designed specifically for use in cars. This is typically done through the use of a 12V car adapter plug, a large male style plug with a center pin and metal contacts on the sides. How Do You Power DC Devices Using Your Car?ĭevices that run on DC power can tap into your vehicle’s power without the need to convert it first.
When powering an application using your car, the type of power it requires will determine what you need in order to run it. Examples of AC power applications include hair dryers, TVs and microwaves. Appliances that need to be plugged in directly to a power source in order to work require AC power. Solar cells, LED bulbs and electronic devices that contain rechargeable batteries, such as laptops, cell phones and tablets run on DC power. AC electricity flows in alternate directions many times per second, while DC current flows consistently in one direction.ĭifferent applications have different power needs. DC power functions very differently from the Alternating Current (AC) power that comes out of your electrical outlets at home. Your vehicle’s cigarette outlet, also known as a 12V accessory outlet, provides 12 volts of Direct Current (DC) power. Before you go plugging just anything into your car though, it’s important to get a better understanding of how it works. These days, however, it’s been repurposed as an accessory outlet used to power phones, seat warmers and other electronic devices. Back in the day, it actually contained a working lighter designed for lighting up.
The cigarette lighter outlet has been a staple of vehicles for decades.
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