Bill

My wife drives a 2007 Entourage, and in slightly less than 2 years, we
have had to replace both power outlet fuses (15 amp) twice.
Unfortuately, I can't tie down just when they fail.

She regularly uses the outlets for her cell phone charger and/or the
GPS power supply. I wonder if she is over-stressing these outlets
with the above devices or possibly causing a surge having the devices
plugged in when starting the car. I woudn't think that these devices
would draw that much, even if both were in use at the same time.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Bill

Edwin Pawlowski

"Bill" <carver-rem-33@bellsouth.net> wrote in message
news:j4ihe4li3i7hmvt534svmfl5dmcjrumdq0@4ax.com...
> My wife drives a 2007 Entourage, and in slightly less than 2 years, we
> have had to replace both power outlet fuses (15 amp) twice.
> Unfortuately, I can't tie down just when they fail.
>
> She regularly uses the outlets for her cell phone charger and/or the
> GPS power supply. I wonder if she is over-stressing these outlets
> with the above devices or possibly causing a surge having the devices
> plugged in when starting the car. I woudn't think that these devices
> would draw that much, even if both were in use at the same time.
>
> Any thoughts would be appreciated.
>
> Bill

If working properly, no they don't draw much power at all. If they are
defective, anything can happen. Or the outlet itself has a loose connection
that shorts out. Even plugging or unplugging can case a short if something
is amiss. Sounds like you need to use some detective work and use only one
device in each to try to narrow it down.

Eric G.

"Edwin Pawlowski" <esp@snet.net> wrote in
news:bR4Gk.2604$c45.1652@nlpi065.nbdc.sbc.com:

>
> "Bill" <carver-rem-33@bellsouth.net> wrote in message
> news:j4ihe4li3i7hmvt534svmfl5dmcjrumdq0@4ax.com...
>> My wife drives a 2007 Entourage, and in slightly less than 2 years,
>> we have had to replace both power outlet fuses (15 amp) twice.
>> Unfortuately, I can't tie down just when they fail.
>>
>> She regularly uses the outlets for her cell phone charger and/or the
>> GPS power supply. I wonder if she is over-stressing these outlets
>> with the above devices or possibly causing a surge having the devices
>> plugged in when starting the car. I woudn't think that these devices
>> would draw that much, even if both were in use at the same time.
>>
>> Any thoughts would be appreciated.
>>
>> Bill
>
> If working properly, no they don't draw much power at all. If they
> are defective, anything can happen. Or the outlet itself has a loose
> connection that shorts out. Even plugging or unplugging can case a
> short if something is amiss. Sounds like you need to use some
> detective work and use only one device in each to try to narrow it
> down.

I have to agree with Edwin here. My wife uses the GPS and cell phone
charger on her Entourage and we have never had one single fuse blow.

Eric

Bob

"Bill" <carver-rem-33@bellsouth.net> wrote in message
news:j4ihe4li3i7hmvt534svmfl5dmcjrumdq0@4ax.com...
> My wife drives a 2007 Entourage, and in slightly less than 2 years, we
> have had to replace both power outlet fuses (15 amp) twice.
> Unfortuately, I can't tie down just when they fail.
>
> She regularly uses the outlets for her cell phone charger and/or the
> GPS power supply. I wonder if she is over-stressing these outlets
> with the above devices or possibly causing a surge having the devices
> plugged in when starting the car. I woudn't think that these devices
> would draw that much, even if both were in use at the same time.
>
> Any thoughts would be appreciated.
>
> Bill

I have found that a certain brand of cell phone charger - starts with a
"T" - has an issue where the ground connection around the outside of the
lighter plug has a frequent habit of touching the center pin of the lighter
plug. Instant blown fuse with no smell or smoke.

Bill

On Sun, 05 Oct 2008 10:08:54 -0400, Bill <carver-rem-33@bellsouth.net>
wrote:

>My wife drives a 2007 Entourage, and in slightly less than 2 years, we
>have had to replace both power outlet fuses (15 amp) twice.
>Unfortuately, I can't tie down just when they fail.
>
>She regularly uses the outlets for her cell phone charger and/or the
>GPS power supply. I wonder if she is over-stressing these outlets
>with the above devices or possibly causing a surge having the devices
>plugged in when starting the car. I woudn't think that these devices
>would draw that much, even if both were in use at the same time.
>
>Any thoughts would be appreciated.
>
>Bill

Thanks for all of the responses. Looks like I have a little detective
work to do.

Bill