Troubleshooting A 12v Outlet That's Melting When Charging An Igloo Iceless Cooler
Question:
I am sure that you aware that many coolers Coleman, Igloo etc. have been rocked with the same problem. They can run for hours without a problem when supplied with DC power from the AC transformer supplied with the product by the manufcturer. However, when the male plug is placed into the female receptacle on many trucks I have a 2003 H2, there is excessive heat, often a meltdown of the male plug and at times a burn out of the female receptacle itself. My male plug has a 10AMP fuse and the hummer fuse for accessory 12V outlets has a 25 amp fuse. The Igloo Iceless 40 cooler has a 55W max, 12V power rating and draws about 4.6 amps. The internet is loaded with the idea of an air gap may be causing an increase in resistance at the DC receptacle, but I am not sure I am on board with that idea as my male plug is extremely tight when placed into the female receptacle. Any assistance you can provide would be helpful as I have been replacing receptacles my HUmmer has 3 besides the cigarette lighter for years and am getting quite frustrated.
asked by: Michael Z
Expert Reply:
Resistance causes heat build up so it's within reason that the while the body of male plug is super tight in the outlet the contact on it isn't making a good connection with the contact in the female socket, causing the burn out. Have you tried using anything else with a similar connector to see if it's just the cooler or if it's the outlet itself having the issue? It also wouldn't hurt to use a clamp meter and check the actually amp draw. The manufacturer lists it at 4.65 amps too but there could be an issue with the power cord or the cooler itself that's causing it to draw more than it should without blowing the fuse.
As a control you could also connect the # RM-9332 to a separate battery and plug the cooler in and watch the connection with a thermal or temperature sensor to see if it's immediately getting hot or sitting just below the point where it will blow the fuse and building up heat.
Products Referenced in This Question
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Hopkins 12-Volt Power Socket with Power Wire and Fuse Assembly
- 12V Power Accessories
- Power Socket
- 1 DC Outlet
- Hopkins
more information >
Featured Help Information
Instructions
Continue Researching
- Shop: 12 Volt Outlet Kit, 20 amps
- Q&A: Can The Roadmaster 12v Outlet Kit Come With Two Ring Terminals
- Q&A: Can An Extension Be Used With The Roadmaster 12v Outlet Kit
- Shop: RoadMaster 12-Volt Extension Cord
- Q&A: Can Roadmaster Extension Cord Power Portable Fridge
- Shop: Deka Heat Shrink Butt Connector - 16-14 Gauge - Nylon Insulation - Blue - Qty 10
- Q&A: What Gauge Wire is Roadmaster 12-Volt Extension Cord 9331?
- Video: Roadmaster 12 Volt Outlet Kit Installation - 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
- Video: Roadmaster 12 Volt Outlet Kit Installation - 2019 Chevrolet Equinox
- Video: Roadmaster 12 Volt Outlet Kit Installation - 2021 Jeep Gladiator
- Video: Roadmaster 12 Volt Outlet Kit Installation - 2016 Chevrolet Sonic
- Video: Roadmaster 12 Volt Outlet Kit Installation - 2018 Chevrolet Malibu
- Video: Roadmaster 12 Volt Outlet Kit Installation - 2022 Buick Encore GX
- Video: Roadmaster 12 Volt Extension Cord Review
- Q&A: Troubleshooting A 12v Outlet That's Melting When Charging An Igloo Iceless Cooler
- Search Results: rm~9332
- Article: Brake Controller 7- and 4-Way Installation Kit (ETBC7)
- Shop: Trailer Wiring
- Search Results: 25580
- Shop: Trailer Hitch
- Q&A: Recommended Flat Towing Setup for a 2016 Jeep Wrangler Using a ReadyBrute Elite II Tow Bar
- Article: Trailer Wiring Diagrams
- Shop: Roadmaster Diode 7-Wire to 6-Wire Flexo-Coil Wiring Kit
- Shop: Blue Ox Patriot Portable Flat Tow Brake System - Proportional
- Shop: Brake Controller
- Search Results: 9332
- Article: How to Choose the Right Trailer Hitch Class
- Search Results: base plates
- Shop: Universal Installation Kit for Trailer Brake Controller - 7-Way RV and 4-Way Flat - 10 Gauge Wires
- Q&A: How To Power A Furrion Vision S RV Camera Monitor In A Vehicle Without A Cigarette Lighter Port