Why don't car manufacturers take out the cigarette lighter and replace it with a standard AC outlet? I am sure this would be much more useful than an outdated coil of metal that gets really hot when you electrocute it. Perhaps it is a conspiracy by companies such as cell manufacturers that just want to sell you a "car adapter" for an extra $20. Just think how much more useful an outlet would be than an outdated cigarrette lighter (i don't smoke, nor would i ever let anyone else do so in my car). Mini USA if you are listening, I think you should run with this.

 

...ooops i meant for this to go under interior mods, not performance--sorry!!

 

I know several manufacturers don't put the cigarette lighter and asktray in the car unless it is "ordered" that way. I think Mazda is one that if the car doesn't include the "smoker's package" it has an extra little shelf where the ashtray would go, and a 12V output with a removeable cover instead of the plunger cigarette lighter. Not quite the same as an AC outlet, but it is a step.

 

Peter, a car runs on 12v DC current. An English outlet runs at 220v AC and a US outlet runs at 110v AC. Plugging anything into a regular outlet running off the battery could do nasty things to the battery, I would think.

 

They could build in an inverter to switch the current from 12V DC to 120/220 V AC. Pontiac has a 120VAC outlet in their Vibe. They basically built one of the inverters into the car and put a standard two prong US outlet in the dash. A less elegant solution would be to go to radio shack and buy one of the inverters for $50 - $100 depending on your needs.

 

>>Peter, a car runs on 12v DC current. An English outlet runs at 220v AC and a US outlet runs at 110v AC. Plugging anything into a regular outlet running off the battery could do nasty things to the battery, I would think.

True, true... however, I recently rented a Toyota Matrix for a week that had a 120V outlet on the front console that was rated 150W. Other manufacturer's are listening, maybe MINIUSA should too.

-Laclede

 

150 watts to me is about useless. If I was to pay for something like a 150 watt inverter added to the car that would be one thing i wouldn't be happy about in the car. I can use my 400 watt inverter and not be at all upset that it isn't in the dash. They make them fairly inexpensive and small enought to fit in the spot underneith the seat. If you really wanted an inverter in your car i'm sure it would be a modification that could be done easily enough.

 

On our Lexus SUV, there's an AC outlet in the trunk, along with A/V input for video games.

 

I think that peterwhit's original idea is pretty sound. It would be a neat option to be able to choose between the 12V DC "lighter" socket and an internal inverter that had an outlet at the same place. OR, you could maybe get both (2 outlets). Lord knows, my minivan has (I believe at last count) 4 12V DC outlets within arm's reach from the driver seat.

In my 2002 MCS, I often plug my 500W inverter into the boot 12V socket. It has a long cord, so I can put it in the rear seat footwell while it's plugged in. Then, I can power my cell phone charger, laptop, whatever without dealing with messy DC adapter cords (which, by the way, are a real pain to plug into the limited access area where the MINI's "lighter" is).

 

my thinking was that it would seem rather cheap to replace the outlet with something more functional and useful than lighting cigarettes. It would be really nice if it served as an aux input to connect an mp3 player to the stereo

 

I don't smoke but can live with the lighter. Give me Homelink instead...

Also I have a rear boot 12V outlet in both my '02 and '04 MINIs.

 

>>150 watts to me is about useless.

Actually you'd be suprised what 150W gets you. 150W gets you the typical CPU and monitor you're looking at. 180W is the standard factor applied by code to receptacles in buildings and houses. Unless you plain on plugging in the kitchen refrig. 150W will get you typically what you need.

-Laclede

 

Unless you're trying to run power tools or something, what's the problem with 150W? It's definitely vastly more useful than the lighter. I think peterwhit's idea is a good one, but I certainly don't expect MINI to implement it anytime soon. I mean, they were too cheap to even include the boot 12V outlet on my 2003. Nor do I have the auxiliary audio input, which I believe was supposed to be standard on 2003s.

 

You're asking MINI to replace an inexpensive item with something that costs a lot more and not reflect it in the base price of the car? Good luck!

Personally, I have no idea what I'd use a 120v plug in my car for......oh wait, then I could make toast and shave on the way to work! How convenient!!

 

An outlet is perfect for laptop power!! I have GPS on my laptop and my battery doesn't last long. I did find a small converter that plugs directly into the outlet (no cord). Now that the new 04 is here I just keep the converter in the back.

 

I'd be happy with just a nice cap so I didn't ever have to look at that little cigarette icon on the lighter. Cigs are totally creepy, IMO.

 

my '04 sienna has three ac plugs !!! i use it to power a laptop and runs x-box for the kids on long long trips.. more cars should follows suite.

 

i think the "02's" have a 12V outlet in the boot
then they stoped puting them there?
wish i had one in my "03"


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>>i think the "02's" have a 12V outlet in the boot
>>then they stoped puting them there?
>>wish i had one in my "03"
>>
>>
The 12v boot outlet returned for '04... go figure... :???:

I installed the 12v outlet in JerseyGirl's MCS. It's a simple mod on a MCS. Jumper the boot light to power the outlet surround light and run a fused wire directly to the battery. There is a ground terminal on the body within a foot of the outlet.

 

If you want to power something 70 watts or less, here's a "mini" inverter for the rear outlet:




Link



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>>>>150 watts to me is about useless.
>>
>>Actually you'd be suprised what 150W gets you. 150W gets you the typical CPU and monitor you're looking at. 180W is the standard factor applied by code to receptacles in buildings and houses. Unless you plain on plugging in the kitchen refrig. 150W will get you typically what you need.
>>
>>-Laclede
>>
I have an electric power inflator for our air matress when we go camping. It has a 300 watt rating, so something like that does me no good. I have a jumper pack with a power inverter on it and does everything that I need with the 400w continuous rating. It was about $100 and does alot more than go from 12v to 110v. If you are looking for the MINI to have the convenience of a minivan, it is the wrong car for you.

 

The matrix and the vibe and the Saturn Vue are the same car actually... it is very cool that they put a power inverter in for us with a plug in. I hope in the future more manufactures will hop on board that program... most useful!

 

My wife's Dodge Stratus how power instead of cigarette lighters. good idea, especially for a company like dodge................

 

Some of those "conveniences" are so minor, but do add a great level of convenience. I don't think it's out of line to suggest to a company like Mini to add these types of things. It's just toooo simple of an addition to simply say "no, go buy a different car."