Centurion in car dvd player fuse blowing cigarette lighter?

nikiyoung

Hi all hope someone can help
I have had a centurion in car dvd player for a few years (a god send with the kids and long journeys!), problem is that the fuse in the cigarette lighter end of the lead keeps blowing. Is it the car or the DVD? Have tried the DVD player at home on the 3 pin plug addaptor and it works ok. Any ideas how to fix it if it is the DVD? or where to get a replacement lead from? We have a long journey coming up and don't fancy bored kids!
Thanks in advance
Niki

totalsolutions

Hi, I would guess its the ciggy lighter socket, they short themselves out and become loose/faulty inside. Have you reciently had it fitted? Get a good quality one.

buglawton

Check exactly what rating of fuse you are putting in there, also consider using an anti-surge fuse: these won't blow on a short high power surge but will blow if too much current is being taken over a longer time so are still safe.

nikiyoung

Hi the ciggi lighter socket is the one in the car (8 year's old). Can I get a new one fitted? or do you mean the part that you plug in to the ciggi lighter? cos that is the part that is blowing, can I get a new one of these if so where from??
buglawton I am replacing like for like - very lucky (or un lucky) I have a halfords round the corner so I can get them easily BUT they only come in packs with 3 other fuses which I dont need (grrr) and cost £2 !!!
Niki

totalsolutions

Re-read your post and it may be the 'lighter plug-lead-3.5mm plug' bit. As it works ok, I think, you are saying when used with the mains 3pin adaptor. The blowing of the fuse is in the lighter ADAPTOR. Check the rating as I will need something up to 10 amps. If its about 3amps it just might blow. As mentioned try a 'slow blow' / anti-surge rated fuse around 6amps. You can get these from halfrauds or a car auto electrics shop, even Maplins.

Sounds like the lead has been caught in a door and been damaged, or else the internal wires are shorting and just need a little attention after a few years use.

nikiyoung

ok think I'll get a new lead to connect it from the dvd palyer to the car ciggi lighter as see if that works. thanks all
Niki

totalsolutions

A word of warning then, "a great thing is standards so many to choose from" forget who said that! just get the correct one for the player. What do I mean by that? Is the positive on the centre electrode or the outer rim of the plug? If I were you I'd get a cheap meter (£3) and do a few checks first. Ask in Maplins on "how to".

nikiyoung

Hubby can do that then at the weekend!!
thanks

buglawton

Personally I don't think that the car socket or the 12v DVD plug are faulty in a way that blows the fuse. You say you are replacing fuses like for like. I suggest that you get fuses of the same rating in Amps but ask for surge resistant ones, NOT quick blow ones.

The size you want is probably 20mm x 5mm, you could try Ebay as at least you can buy a pack of fuses of all the same rating.
Here is a useful guide on the subject of anti surge fuses:
http://reviews.ebay.co.uk/Quick-guide-to-Anti-Surge-fuses_W0QQugidZ10000000002370166

nikiyoung wrote: »

Hi the ciggi lighter socket is the one in the car (8 year's old). Can I get a new one fitted? or do you mean the part that you plug in to the ciggi lighter? cos that is the part that is blowing, can I get a new one of these if so where from??
buglawton I am replacing like for like - very lucky (or un lucky) I have a halfords round the corner so I can get them easily BUT they only come in packs with 3 other fuses which I dont need (grrr) and cost £2 !!!
Niki