Fiat Ducato, problem with 12 volt chargers at the cab

[Jo001]

This is a new problem.

They 12 volt USB port and 12 volt cigar lighter seem to be charging some devices, not others. For example -

My phone won't charge. Husband's does (same model, same socket, same cable) but does so very, very slowly.

My kindle fire charges - same socket, different cable.

Big problem - the satnav isn't charging (same socket and cable as the fire which has no problem).

The odd thing - under normal circumstances the satnav has always switched itself off after 10 seconds when the power is interrupted, like when you turn off the engine. When it is hooked up to the socket, it is still staying on until you turn the engine off, which seems to suggest it's getting enough power to operate, just not enough to charge.

Any thoughts?

 

[marchie]

This is a new problem.

They 12 volt USB port and 12 volt cigar lighter seem to be charging some devices, not others. For example -

My phone won't charge. Husband's does (same model, same socket, same cable) but does so very, very slowly.

My kindle fire charges - same socket, different cable.

Big problem - the satnav isn't charging (same socket and cable as the fire which has no problem).

The odd thing - under normal circumstances the satnav has always switched itself off after 10 seconds when the power is interrupted, like when you turn off the engine. When it is hooked up to the socket, it is still staying on until you turn the engine off, which seems to suggest it's getting enough power to operate, just not enough to charge.

Any thoughts?

Dirty or sticky connecters making the contact with the Cigar Lighter variable? Jiggling the charging contact pin to ensure it moves freely might sort it out? When you say 'same phone/socket/cable', for the cable do you mean type of cable, so 2 physical cables, or 1 cable that you you share to charge your respective phones? [We had 2 x Huawei P20 Pro phones but ended up sharing a cable because Elaine wound hers up so tightly that she broke some of the internal wiring, making the charging intermittent!]
Will the satnav charge if moved from 12v USB to Cigar Lighter or vice versa? Is the Satnav cable making a good connection at both ends? The cable end that plugs into the Satnav may have become loose with repeated insertion and removal
Other than that, perhaps a cylinder of very fine sandpaper [320 grit] to rub around the inside of the Cigar Lighter to remove corrosion/clag [wrap sand paper around little finger to exert slow light steady pressure and blow the inside of the socket clear [and eat the dust for days!]

Steve

 

[Jo001]

Dirty or sticky connecters making the contact with the Cigar Lighter variable

If that were the case, the Fire shouldn't have charged?

Jiggling the charging contact pin to ensure it moves freely might sort it out?

Naw, I'm a girl. First thing I tried!

When you say 'same phone/socket/cable', for the cable do you mean type of cable, so 2 physical cables, or 1 cable that you you share to charge your respective phones?

Two phones on cable type A, one charges and the other doesn't. Fire and satnav on cable type B - fire charges perfectly, satnav doesn't.

That cable will charge the satnav from the 12 volt charger in the habitation area, or from the mains, so the problem is definitely the charging points at the cab.

Will the satnav charge if moved from 12v USB to Cigar Lighter or vice versa?

No, I tried that. So again, points to the problem being at the cab charging point.

 

[marchie]

If that were the case, the Fire shouldn't have charged?

Naw, I'm a girl. First thing I tried!

Two phones on cable type A, one charges and the other doesn't. Fire and satnav on cable type B - fire charges perfectly, satnav doesn't.

That cable will charge the satnav from the 12 volt charger in the habitation area, or from the mains, so the problem is definitely the charging points at the cab.

No, I tried that. So again, points to the problem being at the cab charging point.

Beyond me, I'm afraid [most things are!]. If some things will charge in one socket, but not in another, across different devices, it would suggest that there is a loose connection or damaged fuse, giving intermittent connections/slow charging? Have you tried removing the fuses from the elektroblok under the passenger seat, and then reinserting them? Worth checking that the 12v on/off switch on the elektroblok is fully open/on

Steve

 

[wildebus]

I think steve is on the right track with the cables and stuff. It is amazing how a cable can work on one device and an apparently identical one won't.
I had a problem with a Lenovo Tablet that wouldn't charge anything but very slowly (in the house). I spent ages trying various cables and plug in chargers until I got the right combination and been fine since. There was no logic to what was happening.

 

[Jo001]

giving intermittent connections

If it was intermittent, the satnav would go into auto-shutdown when the connection drops. I've seen that happen with it.

amazing how a cable can work on one device and an apparently identical one won't

But, the very same cable works in the 12 volt charger in the habitation area.

Sorry, I'm not trying to be difficult but that's what I can't get my head around.

 

[wildebus]

If it was intermittent, the satnav would go into auto-shutdown when the connection drops. I've seen that happen with it.

But, the very same cable works in the 12 volt charger in the habitation area.

Sorry, I'm not trying to be difficult but that's what I can't get my head around.

It is a different charger in the habiation area.
like in my example, I ended up finding a specific charger to work with my tablet and other ones wouldn't even though they would work with other devices.

 

[Alf]

Is this with the engine running or not

 

[Jo001]

Is this with the engine running or not

With the engine running, trying to charge on the move. I don't think they work with the engine off.

 

[Alf]

You might find some devices do not like the cigarette lighter voltage, try using the sockets / usb points fed from the leisure battery,… do these work whilst travelling ?. If not have a double usb socket wired direct to the leisure battery.
Do you have a voltmeter. If so just check the cigarette lighter voltage, some are limited to 10.2 v and this could be your problem….if doing your own wiring don’t forget a fuse and a switch for the usb socket…...Alf

 

[r4dent]

Get a USB tester that will tell you the voltage from the charger. Don't cost a lot and really help working out what is happening.
e.g. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Voltage-Cu...cphy=1007092&hvtargid=pla-1761753578835&psc=1

 

[Nabsim]

Don’t think this is your problem or it would have always been so BUT… I have a couple of USB chargers with different outputs, mainly 1.1a or 2.1a (that may be wrong figures but not got one close to check) if I try my iPhone in the 1.1 it either doesn’t charge or extremely slow but fine in the 2.1 with the same cable. Have had this with other devices that aren’t Apple as well

 

[Jo001]

usb points fed from the leisure battery,… do these work whilst travelling

I'm afraid not, and the main concern is that the satnav isn't charging, we really need it up front.

Get a USB tester that will tell you the voltage from the charger.

I can do that. The annoying thing is, they used to work so as well as finding out, I need to get them fixed.

 

[Alf]

I'm afraid not, and the main concern is that the satnav isn't charging, we really need it up front.

I can do that. The annoying thing is, they used to work so as well as finding out, I need to get them fixed.

Are you using the cable that came with the sat nav mine only works with certain cables

 

[Jo001]

Are you using the cable that came with the sat nav mine only works with certain cables

Yes, and I've tried others. They all work from the 12 volts in the habitation area, and from the mains. None work from either the cigar lighter or the USB port in the cab.

 

[Alf]

Yes, and I've tried others. They all work from the 12 volts in the habitation area, and from the mains. None work from either the cigar lighter or the USB port in the cab.

You now may have the answer,….As said before check the voltage.

 

[Alf]

What is the van base of your motor caravan

 

[Pudsey Bear]

I must have bought dozens of 12v USB chargers and they are very hit and miss, Samsung ones always seemed to work best but as micro USB, I find the USBC charger cables are far more reliable and I only have the kindle and torch that is old style.

 

[Nabsim]

May have dreamt it Baz but seem to think I have read where people connect jumpers while changing their starter battery. No idea what car/vans they were on though but maybe play safe if it’s easy to do?

 

[wildebus]

May have dreamt it Baz but seem to think I have read where people connect jumpers while changing their starter battery. No idea what car/vans they were on though but maybe play safe if it’s easy to do?

I have heard of folk doing that on some newer vehicles and where there are devices like aftermarket trackers and immobilisers fitted. (I think there is one fancy security system that will lock out the vehicle from starting if the starter battery is disconnected and needs a call to a call centre for reactivation).
I would probably cable up another battery to keep 12V power there while changing the starter battery just in case.