The Vanagon ligher socket does not work well with standard accessory
plugs--it's too shallow. I added a 3-socket unit purchased from Radio Shack
to my van, mounted on the right side of the sink cabinet just behind the
driver's seat. I wired it directly to the aux battery (fused of course). I
also wouldn't recommend running an inverter-powered microwave from the stock
lighter socket--it is not wired adequately for that big of a load. You'll
need a pretty hefty inverter for the microwave...

-Mark McCulley

At 01:24 AM 3/14/98 -0800, Gail Fitzpatrick wrote:
>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>
>