The 12V power outlet, also known as a cigarette lighter or 12V auxiliary outlet, is the primary method by which power is supplied to portable electronics in cars, trucks, recreational vehicles, boats, and a handful of other contexts. While these outlets were originally designed to heat cigarette lighters, they quickly became popular as the de facto electrical outlet for cars.
Installing $10 12V Power Outlets in Your Car is Easy
Today, it is possible to power everything from a high-end phone or tablet to a tire compressor using the exact same connection that used to be used only as a cigarette lighter in a car.
Some vehicles are equipped with multiple power outlets to power multiple peripherals. However, it is rare that more than one outlet will fit on a cigarette lighter.
Accordingly, the specifications for these sockets, as set out in ANSI/SAE J563, include two variations: one that works with cigarette lighters and one that doesn’t. If you’ve ever tried to plug a cigarette lighter into a cigarette lighter socket and it immediately fell out, this is why.
