Question For Our Electrical Experts On C2 Cigarette Lighters

[Larry E.]

We all know that the C2 Cigarette Lighters have no fuse in their circuit. We have also heard
all the horror stories on what could and does happen even if it is rare. (Create A Dead Short)
Was thinking(Could be Dangerous) if there was anyway to test them in their circuit if a problem
exist. Here Goes>

With NO battery in the car and to take a continuity test by hooking up your OHM Meter to the
Positive and Negative Battery Cables. If there is a bad socket and it would cause a dead short
by pushing in the lighter control it would show up on your OHM Meter(Not sure what range to
put your Meter control on) Even though in normal use a good socket would cause a short to light
the coils on your element but would think this would give a different(slower) dead short thus different
reading on the meter. Question>WOULD THIS WORK OR IS THERE JUST TOO MANY VARIBLES
IN THE CARS WIRE HARNESS?? PLEASE COMMENT ON THIS>>Larry

[Bill B.]

Re: Question For Our Electrical Experts On C2 Cigarette Lighters

Hi Larry,

As a retired Electrical Engineer, I can simply say there are too many variables for a simple common hand-held ohmmeter to work in that case. (even a digital readout Fluke multimeter)

The cold resistance of just the courtesy light bulbs with the door open, and even the clock winding coil would basically indicate a very low resistance reading on the ohmmeter before you even plug in the lighter.

Even if you were to check the lighter assembly separately on the bench, the difference between a short and normal ops would hard to discern with a common hand-held multimeter. If, however, one had access to a "milli-ohm" meter, that might be a different story on the bench. One could read differences in lighter heater coil resistance vs a dead short condition.

In-car testing, would still be difficult to discern with the milli-ohm meter, as the wiring harness itself has resistance of x ohms per foot. One could increase the accuracy of in-car testing by removing fuses from the fuse-block to eliminate the clock coil and courtesy lights from the circuit, but some folks may be hesitant to do that, especially if the fuses are original to the vehicle.

[Ed S.]

Re: Question For Our Electrical Experts On C2 Cigarette Lighters

I have had my lighter apart a few times to clean or restore it - there really isn't much that can go wrong with one by itself and cause a short - without inadvertent human intervention - not impossible but not very likely. It appears to me that a short can occur when a human does not connect wires correctly and ensure there is safe separation between various leads of the lighter or other wires back behind the cluster. Or, the tongs inside the barrel of the device are so tight (because a human made them tight) that the removable piece does no eject soon enough and you have a melt down inside the device. An inline fuse is always a good idea and adds to piece of mind but I would argue proper installation is equally or more important.

[Larry E.]

Re: Question For Our Electrical Experts On C2 Cigarette Lighters

Hi Larry,

As a retired Electrical Engineer, I can simply say there are too many variables for a simple common hand-held ohmmeter to work in that case. (even a digital readout Fluke multimeter)

The cold resistance of just the courtesy light bulbs with the door open, and even the clock winding coil would basically indicate a very low resistance reading on the ohmmeter before you even plug in the lighter.

Even if you were to check the lighter assembly separately on the bench, the difference between a short and normal ops would hard to discern with a common hand-held multimeter. If, however, one had access to a "milli-ohm" meter, that might be a different story on the bench. One could read differences in lighter heater coil resistance vs a dead short condition.

In-car testing, would still be difficult to discern with the milli-ohm meter, as the wiring harness itself has resistance of x ohms per foot. One could increase the accuracy of in-car testing by removing fuses from the fuse-block to eliminate the clock coil and courtesy lights from the circuit, but some folks may be hesitant to do that, especially if the fuses are original to the vehicle.

Bill:Thanks for the reply. I was afraid of that but not really surprised. I guess I play "Russian Roulette" In the
operations test
when I get the car judged. Hope Ed is correct with his input. Thanks- Larry

[Ed S.]

Re: Question For Our Electrical Experts On C2 Cigarette Lighters

Did I mention, .........I am not an "electrical expert", not even close.

[Ron L.]

Re: Question For Our Electrical Experts On C2 Cigarette Lighters

So Bill - what size fuse do you recommend? I am restoring a 64, but not to judging specs, as I started out with a car that had many body modifications in addition to a 1969 CE replacement engine. Had to purchase a whole new front nose, and the work began...

[Bill B.]

Re: Question For Our Electrical Experts On C2 Cigarette Lighters

Hi Ron,

Since my '70 has a 20A SAE fuse for the Clock, Lighter, Courtesy circuit in the fuse block, I would recommend a 20A fuse for the lighter. The in-line smaller spade type fuse holder might fit well in the center console (perhaps under the ash tray) for best access should it need to be serviced in the future.

[Ron L.]

Re: Question For Our Electrical Experts On C2 Cigarette Lighters

Good advice on the fuse location

[Harry S.]

Re: Question For Our Electrical Experts On C2 Cigarette Lighters

Has anyone seen a source for a fuse of this style. Just cut the existing wire, insert in each side, snap it closed and you are done/safer.

20A fuse.png

[Leif A.]

Re: Question For Our Electrical Experts On C2 Cigarette Lighters

Has anyone seen a source for a fuse of this style. Just cut the existing wire, insert in each side, snap it closed and you are done/safer.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]115647[/ATTACH]

Harry,
Looks like a Hella 8719.

https://automotivesuperstore.com.au/hella-8719

[Peter H.]

Re: Question For Our Electrical Experts On C2 Cigarette Lighters

Harry. I Believe The Industry # Is ATO 10 10 Amp. ATO 15 15 Amp ATO 20 20 Amp And So On.Hope This Helps. Peter 🇨🇦

[James W.]

Re: Question For Our Electrical Experts On C2 Cigarette Lighters

Found them in the USA

Hella In-Line Blade Fuse Holder - 1 Fuse (ozautoelectrics.com)

James

[Harry S.]

Re: Question For Our Electrical Experts On C2 Cigarette Lighters

I found it in the US at https://www.oznium.com/install-bay/s...in-fuse-holder They were $2.89 each without the fuse.

It's made by 3M. Search on 3M inline fuse. I think they are on Amazon also.

https://automotivesuperstore.com.au/hella-8719 is in New South Whales, Australia. Shipping is way to high.

Thanks

[James W.]

Re: Question For Our Electrical Experts On C2 Cigarette Lighters

I like Harry's source price better than mine. Just ordered 4 of them.

James

I found it in the US at https://www.oznium.com/install-bay/s...in-fuse-holder They were $2.89 each without the fuse.

It's made by 3M. Search on 3M inline fuse. I think they are Amazon also.

https://automotivesuperstore.com.au/hella-8719 is in New South Whales, Australia. Shipping is way to high.

Thanks

[Harry S.]

Re: Question For Our Electrical Experts On C2 Cigarette Lighters

Finally got around to installing the fuse. I hate cutting harness wires, but it's better than a fire.

Anyway, had to move a few steering column brackets, but it was an easy install.