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Dhilbe · 09-22-2018, 06:24 PM

I had bought one of those cigarette lighter plugs that has two USB ports. Initially all worked ok - I was able to plug in my phone and tablet....at the same time, they both charged fine. A few weeks ago, the cigarette lighter receptical fell out of the mount and behind the dash. No problem, I removed the lower drawer in the dash and was able to remount the receptical. But now when I plug in my phone....the phone doesn’t charge. There is a little power light in the USB plug and it seems to light - but rather dimly. So, it seems power is getting to the USB plug. I tried the USB plug in the car - works fine - charges the phone just fine. I bought a new USB plug that completely replaces the cigarette receptical.... installed it and have the same problem. The newer USB plug has a very dim light - it kinda pulses..like it’s not getting steady power. I hooked up my voltmeter and it shows a steady 12 volts. I saw another pair of blue/white wires behind the dash.....hooked up the voltmeter....steady 12 volts. Hooked up the USB plug to those two wires...same problem....the USB light kinda pulses and there doesn’t seem to be enough power to charge the phone. I’m somewhat at a loss...so many wires behind the dash....not sure what runs where. The frustrating thing, this use to all work fine. Is it possible the fuse associated with this power is “weak” and possibly having problems when a load is pulled? Does anyone know what fuse is associated with the cigarette lighter plug? Any ideas are appreciated. Thanks, Dave

Skip426 · 09-22-2018, 06:39 PM

I had similar on my 99 DSDP , the power showing on the meter; at the socket ;was from the factory 12 volt solar panel ( volts but no amps ) .
Here's a time when a 12 volt test light is in order . As a volt meter will give a reading with only mili amps or power , in this same situation a test light will barely glow .
Sorry I can't say where your lighter fuse is located , but I'll bet it's blown.
Mine was on the Newmar front fuse/circuit board; for dash systems ; that looks like the photo below.

Ken Gluckman · 09-22-2018, 08:35 PM

I had a similar problem and it was a blown fuse. Got a voltage reading but not enough to work stuff. A Newmar tech told me that the little red light on the fuse board that signals a blown fuse backfeeds a current through the circuit, giving confusing readings.

ptw · 09-23-2018, 10:10 AM

The fuse may be blown.

The fuse is in the compartment outside under the driver window. This fuse has a LED blown fuse indicator light on it. The blown fuse indicator light will allow some power to pass through it. Some voltmeters will read this voltage. You may be seeing the faint light because of this circuit.

Open the compartment and look for a red LED light near the fuses. That will be the blown fuse.

Dhilbe · 09-23-2018, 12:16 PM

Thanks for the help. Im going to see if I can hunt down the fuse.

bydnar · 09-23-2018, 12:40 PM

Coincidentally, I am working on the same type of project on my new-to-me 2017 Ventana LE 4037. I am attaching a dual USB port left of the steering wheel to power my Garmin and the RVi tablet. Piggybacking onto the cigarette lighter socket under the radio area.

Checking the voltage with a voltmeter, got full battery voltage with fuse in place. Pulling the fuse, got 10.8 volts but would not light-up my test light. Thanks for that heads-up, by the way!

Finding that fuse was an adventure. I was searching for "cigar lighter" or "cigarette lighter" labeling. On mine, the fuse was in the forward left electrical cabinet, just ahead of the left front wheel. The fuse was labeled "12 v out Aux 20 AMP" in a font that is just about microscopic. Just saying that the labeling is not so accurate, it's small, so be patient in your search.

Dhilbe · 09-23-2018, 03:19 PM

It was the the fuse. 20A fuse in the exterior fuse compartment just forward of the front wheel. It was labeled something like Aux Power. USB plug now works fine.