Alfa Romeo Owners Club of Australia Forum

Technical => 932 Series (156, GTV, Spider, 147, GT, and 166) => Topic started by: Beatle on March 27, 2015, 09:52:23 PM

Title: Alfa GT Lighter Socket....
Post by: Beatle on March 27, 2015, 09:52:23 PM
I've tried five different design USB charger plugs in the ciggie socket of my GT, and none will take hold?????    Are Alfa ciggie lighters a different design/shape to the rest of the motoring world?   

These adapters all click firmly into place in my other vehicles, and stay put.  In the GT they either won't stick at all, or pop out within minutes.

I've tried teasing out the tangs inside the socket to no avail.

Ideas?  Solutions?

Thinking I may resort to installing an aftermarket socket hidden under the dash somewhere. 
Title: Re: Alfa GT Lighter Socket....
Post by: shiny_car on March 28, 2015, 09:45:54 AM
The GT has the 'slightly bigger' diameter socket, Euro style.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cigarette_lighter_receptacle (size B)

If your plug is 'just a plug' (as opposed to a power adapter with internal electronics), you can cut it off and replace with the bigger plug that will fit snugly.

But you're probably best adding your own socket that matches the USB unit.

:)
Title: Re: Alfa GT Lighter Socket....
Post by: colcol on March 28, 2015, 08:44:30 PM
There is a new type of 12 volt female plug called 'Merit'.
It is not called a cigarette lighter plug, because it won't take cigarette lighters as they are too big, but will take MP3 players, GPS's and phone chargers, and unlike cigarette lighters, the plug is a snug fit for the male plug in the merit plug and doesn't fall out on bumps, Colin.
Title: Re: Alfa GT Lighter Socket....
Post by: Kulwinder on March 29, 2015, 10:37:16 AM
I have installed dual socket adaptor in my 156. I took connection from cigarette socket fuse in fuse box. A wired connection. I am able to use original socket and have two more sockets under steering wheel in little pocket thing on fuse box cover.



Kulwinder Singh
Title: Re: Alfa GT Lighter Socket....
Post by: colcol on March 29, 2015, 11:30:34 AM
I installed a twin socket outlet in the centre console to run a MP3 player and GPS, the original cigarette lighter was to far away, and the sockets wouldn't stay in, all good now, Colin.