Current At Cig Socket/power Poutlet

[IKE]

Can anyone explain the the following?

I have a mobile phone with a cig socket charger plugged into either the cig socket, or the power outlet behind the centre console. The problem seems to be that the current demanded by the phone is greater than the current supplied at the socket, and over long distances and phone useage (hands free) the phone eventually discharges. My Avensis is only about nine months old and I am experiencing no other electrical problems. By the way, the phone display is suggesting (by the lightning symbol) that it has electrical connectivity.

Any ideas?

Thanks

Ian

[matty2767]

with my pda once the Battery has discharged to a certain level there has to be a certain amount of voltage to charge it or it doesnt charge, it just tries to maintain its level. for example you can charge it by usb cable but only if the Battery is above 75% (say). otherwise the only way it will charge is via the wall outlet. therefore if your phone does the same and you are putting a heavy load on it by using a headset then what you are taking out is more than what you are putting back.

hope this makes sense.

what phone is it by the way

[Ray99]

Hi Ian

Both sockets can supply 10 amps continuously. I very much doubt that your phone/associated hardware is drawing in excess of 10 amps. Although your phone says it is connected, it clearly isn't. Do you have any Battery charging problems with the mains charger? You may also have a faulty in-car charger. I guess the only test is by substitution for a known good one. Regards Ray

[Mkuk0]

Ray makes sense to me, its the charger I reckon, not the phone

[IKE]

Thanks for the suggestions - here is some more background info:

The phone is a Blackberry, I have replaced its internal Battery and cig charger to eliminate the charger/battery type fault. The phone will charge happily from laptop USB or mains USB, and it retains the charge. My previous car (not a Toyota) charged the phone from completely flat many times with no problem whatsoever. If the socket really does supply 10A, then I am convinced there's nothing like that getting as far as my phone.

By the way, I also have a PDA and it will only stay charged if it starts off at around 80% but that's understandable.

I've even fully charged the phone before setting off (earpiece - not juice drinking bluetooth), and after a couple of calls or SMS, the Battery bar starts to reduce from 5 bars down to 1, then completely zero. I actually thought it was dischaging back into the cig socket!

I am going to try it in my wife's car next to see if it stays charged there.

Thanks for all of the help though, and I'll post my findings.

Ian