Dear Gail,

Don't know if this will help or not, but around here (Louisville, KY) you
can find a replacement cigarette lighter socket at just about any FLAPS. I
don't know if there's anything special about the ones in the VW's but if
the center is pos and the barrell is neg then there shouldn't be too much
of a problem. Now that I think about it, you may want to look into getting
one of the multi-outlet types that aren't meant for the cigarette lighter
itself, but are made for the kinds of appliances you're talking about. You
should be able to find one at your FNRS (Friendly Neighborhood RadioShack).

I'm hoping that I'll be setting up something similar in my '81 Van..L for
use with my amateur radio equipment. Of course, the thing to keep in mind
is how much this is going to draw on your battery. If you use one of the
"Accessory Sockets" that RS sells, DO NOT attempt to use the cigarette
lighter in it. I know, I know, you probably wouldn't even think of it, but
people have done it before and I don't want anyone who may read this to get
away without knowing that they shouldn't do it.

I hope this helps somewhat,
Have a pleasant and enjoyable trip,
Joe Denison
'81 Van..L

----------
> From: Gail Fitzpatrick <redwood@SPEEDLINK.COM>
> To: Vanagon@VANAGON.COM
> Subject: cigarette lighters -- improvement possible?
> Date: Saturday, March 14, 1998 4:24 AM
>
> Hi alles,
>
> Am off on a small camping trip to Pt Reyes Nat'l Seashore this weekend,
and
> in the process of making sure the cigarette lighter was working, so that
i
> could have a way of charging my cell phone, as well as plugging in
various
> toys, including a 12v flashlight/spotlight, and even a power inverter off
> which i hope to run a small microwave.  Alas, it seems that it got stuck
in
> the "in" position, and it is believed that that may have caused 3 fuses
to
> go out, including the one for the lighter.  As soon as that fuse was
> replaced, the lighter self-ejected, and was hot.  I observed that the
> lighter itself is quite short and appears somewhat dirty and stiff in
> sliding.  then, when i went to plug in my phone cord, it didn't go in
very
> far, and kept on falling out the minute i stopped holding it in.  Haven't
> tried the inverter plug yet, let alone the CD player...
>
> So i got to wondering--might there be a better quality, possibly *deeper*
> socket to replace the original?  Or even some way to improve the function
of
> the one i have?
>
> How 'bout it -- has anyone tackled this one?
>
> Will welcome any suggestions.
>
> TIA, and happy dreams of spring camping!
>
> gail
> __________________________
> Gail Fitzpatrick
> '87 GL Westi, 124k   [Frieda]
> Sacramento, CA
> <redwood@speedlink.com>