Orpington Astronomical Society

Astronomy => Technical => Topic started by: Carole on Jun 20, 2014, 20:44:30

Title: Cigarette lighter plug springs
Post by: Carole on Jun 20, 2014, 20:44:30
Flaming Nora, I've replaced my dew heaters which blew at Running Waters, then I needed to replace the fuses which blew in the cigarette lighter sockets of the hubs when the dew heaters packed up.  Finally got them (2nd try), now I find I need new springs to go in the plugs!!!!

I've just about got one by nicking it out of another cigarette lighter plug, but it doesn't spring very well, but need another 2 to go in my spare hub plus the one I nicked it out of.

I thought I had some but they are too long, too thin, or too strong and don't "squeeze".  

Is nothing straight forward?

Any idea where I get replacement springs from?  I've googled it and come up with nothing.  

Carole
Title: Re: Cigarette lighter plug springs
Post by: Mac on Jun 20, 2014, 21:37:19
Have you tried maplins?

http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/car-accessory-plug-3a-fuse-and-power-led-bv46a (http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/car-accessory-plug-3a-fuse-and-power-led-bv46a)

Mac
Title: Re: Cigarette lighter plug springs
Post by: Carole on Jun 20, 2014, 22:08:26
Yes I tried them.  It's the springs I need, seems a bit OTT to buy a whole plug just to use the spring in it.

I have decided to buy a dew controller now as I can't get any imaging done until I get this sorted and time is pressing on, but I'd still like to get these dew heater hubs working anyway even if they are just as a back up, or to re-sell.  

Carole
Title: Re: Cigarette lighter plug springs
Post by: Mac on Jun 21, 2014, 02:39:50
Silly me I just remembered,

I've got hundreds of springs for these adapters, i used to sell them.

£9.99 a pair including post and packaging.

Mac.
Title: Re: Cigarette lighter plug springs
Post by: Carole on Jun 21, 2014, 08:42:39
The price is a bit steep Mac for such small items, it would be cheaper to buy a new cigarette lighter plug and take the spring out. 
I'll keep trying.

thanks anyway

Carole
Title: Re: Cigarette lighter plug springs
Post by: Mike on Jun 21, 2014, 10:15:14
Replace everything that needs cigarette lighter sockets with banana plugs. Far more secure, cheaper and smaller.
Title: Re: Cigarette lighter plug springs
Post by: Carole on Jun 21, 2014, 11:47:48
QuoteReplace everything that needs cigarette lighter sockets with banana plugs. Far more secure, cheaper and smaller.
I would have nothing to plug banana plugs into Mike.

Carole
Title: Re: Cigarette lighter plug springs
Post by: Mac on Jun 21, 2014, 15:51:33
QuoteThe price is a bit steep Mac for such small items, it would be cheaper to buy a new cigarette lighter plug and take the spring out. 
I'll keep trying.
:roll:

irony eh. ;)

You will probably not get replacement springs.
Why se a prt when the whole item is so cheap.

The way i look at it is as follows.

My hourly rate is £55.00 + vat, which works out at £66.

So if im going to waste two hours looking for springs the cost of those springs is already £132

I would be better off purchasing a new plug for £5, after about 30 seconds of searching, rather then wasting hours looking for the part.

Its similar to the person who drives 40 miles to save 2p  on a liter of fuel.

Mac.
Title: Re: Cigarette lighter plug springs
Post by: Mike on Jun 21, 2014, 23:15:17
Quote from: Carole on Jun 21, 2014, 11:47:48
QuoteReplace everything that needs cigarette lighter sockets with banana plugs. Far more secure, cheaper and smaller.
I would have nothing to plug banana plugs into Mike.

Carole

You replace everything with banana plugs at all ends. Male and female.
Title: Re: Cigarette lighter plug springs
Post by: The Thing on Jun 22, 2014, 09:30:35
Ah, but Carole uses these power units with built in ciggy sockets so she can't. And she can't solder. So new ciggy plugs wouldn't be much use to her anyway as they have solder connections inside.
Title: Re: Cigarette lighter plug springs
Post by: Carole on Jun 22, 2014, 12:34:08
I've ordered a dew controller now but it might not arrive in time for next weekend.  But I'd still like these hubs up and running as spares, not only for me, but in case any-one else gets stuck, but don't want to spend a lot of money on them just for spares.

I've found a few more springs in the house, but none of them are the right size.  I am going to look in my box from when I went to camp as they must have come out when Julian and duncan were pulling everything apart, maybe they are in there.

Carole
Title: Re: Cigarette lighter plug springs
Post by: Tony G on Jun 23, 2014, 13:20:58
Quote from: Mac on Jun 21, 2014, 15:51:33
The way i look at it is as follows.

My hourly rate is £55.00 + vat, which works out at £66.

So if im going to waste two hours looking for springs the cost of those springs is already £132

It doesn't matter if someone else is paying for your time.  ;)

Tony G

PS........................I'm going looking for a needle on an online haystack.  :lol:
Title: Re: Cigarette lighter plug springs
Post by: Carole on Jun 23, 2014, 14:52:18
Gradually more springs are coming to light around the house, and although not exactly the right ones, I seem to have found a couple of springs that will "do for now", tried it out last night and worked OK.

Thanks

Carole