Electrical outlet

[bob_budesa]

I have had an electric converter for many years - plugs into the cigarette lighter outlet (or other ports as available).

I've often wondered why Honda (or any other car manufacturer for that matter) doesn't incorporate the converter in the dash, and simply supply a two or three prong outlet for plugging things in?

Seems like a logical step.

Bob

[2RedV's]

I have had an electric converter for many years - plugs into the cigarette lighter outlet (or other ports as available).

I've often wondered why Honda (or any other car manufacturer for that matter) doesn't incorporate the converter in the dash, and simply supply a two or three prong outlet for plugging things in?

Seems like a logical step.

BobCost. . . .

[reakin]

It can't cost that much. My buddy's Pontiac Vibe has one. It is certainly not a high dollar vehicle!

reakin

[Davecr-v]

It can't cost that much. My buddy's Pontiac Vibe has one. It is certainly not a high dollar vehicle!

reakin

Expense and practicality people just accept the cigarette lighter most automotive accesories are geared for the cig. lighter. Pontiac also mae the plug a huge gimmick in its early commercials it was pretty funny.

[bob_budesa]

I agree Reakin. It costs all of $10 or so if bought as a cigarette plug-in. How could the cost be prohibitive?

It's just a thought, and not a very deep one at that. It just seemed curious that someone hadn't caught on yet, and incorporated it into the dash, or around the console.

Bob

[Sho]

I rented a vibe once (the ONLY car left at the airport and my friend was quite angry that she had to be seen io such a thing) and the only thing I remember was the electrical outlet.

Anyway while cost is certainly an issue (a company like Honda is not going to simply throw in a 14.99 inverter) since I was a mechanic for a long time to pay for my masters in electrical engineering, power systems no less, these would be the issues in my opinion.

1) Durability - they produce heat, so they need to survive someone camping in Nevada in July who is plugging in their laptop for a charge. So they need to be very robust or force cooled. Probably robust would win, so Honda can get them for like 100 bucks.

2) Safety - Cars get wet, they get parked in salt spray, etc. This device needs to be very well protected to protect people and the car. We'll need to really seal this thing up, add another 50 bucks.

3) Safety II - We better add what is called an insertion contact switch to only power the unit when something gets plugged in, so add in 50 bucks.

4) Utility - In something like a cr-v or pilot we better at least add a trim level which adds one in the center console and the rear cargo area. They both need to be spill proof since we're talking about 120V here. Soon we might need to think about someone trying to play xbox out the back during a camping trip, so we need more like 300W.

5) reliability- One something like the pilot, I'd say we need to build in 500W capacity. Now you get into the area of adding a second isolated battery (though hey, that would be cool) unless 8 yr olds can be trusted NOT to sneak outside while on a trip and play xbox....


What you're looking at, even at a 100W capacity, is at LEAST a $400 option.


I'd LOVE if they had an option for 120V AC....maybe capped at 250W off battery and 1000W with the engine running, requiring a larger or a second battery, and a larger alternator, and I'd pay for it too, sure would make vacuuming the car easier.

My very first car, a 68 Bronco had been used on construction and it had a 2000W generator (mounted where the AC unit would be on a car) sure was tons of fun camping (and got me around Maine when I was an undergrad at about 12mpg)

[electric V]

Dosen't anyone else think that charging a battery with another battery is kinda redundant.

SHO, is right and the price of it will climb. They are not very practical either electrical outlets are different everywere it would be too much of a cost.

[illegal]

Thats why I put my own in under my seat and hard wired it to the car and added in a switch.

[electric V]

I just bought a DC to AC converter for the car. Nikola Tesla would be pleased:D