Can you plug Tom Tom into lighter socket?

Hi folks,

I haven't actually got a sat nav yet. Always put off getting one as I wasn't sure it would work with my Mondeo heated windscreen.

Since the Jimny doesn't have a heated screen I may just get one now.

BUT the manual which I skim read tonight says not to use the lighter socket for running eletrical items!!! Is that just one of those silly general type warnings like "Do not operate the vehicle with the seats fully reclined!!!!" Or are they correct? In the Mondeo I've alwasya used it for the car vac etc.

What do you good folks do? Run car vacs and sat navs from that lighter socket or not? Would be grateful for some views.

Many thanks,

Liz

I think is just one of those silly warnings. I run a radio transmitter and various other accessories including a high power hand held spotlamp from mine.

In my other car it doesn't even come with the cigarette lighter insert, it just has a spring loaded cover with "12Volt Accessories" written on it!

Martin

Thanks Martin - you're a star!

I know on the Mercedes C class, the heated screen caused issues with my TomTom One, I now drive a Mondeo and the ford Heated screen doesnt cause any noticable issues with TomTom.

At the end of the day a Lighter socket is just a 12 Volt outlet.. the lighter bit has the coil to get hot when the circuit is made.

I ran a second outlet to the boot of the Jimny for an accessory powerfeed too.

Jason

Thanks Jason. That's good to know. if it will work with both cars then that doubles the justification to get one!

Cheers,

Liz

I have used a Tom Tom for about three years and never a problem.Its just an accessory socket,possibly with an amp limitation which on most cars is about 10amp(check fuse in handbook)

Thanks Ron. I've got my sat nav now and it works with the Mondeo as well which is a bonus.