Using a handheld voltmeter, at the battery on my car, I get
a reading of around 12.5 volts. When I use the same
voltmeter at the cigarette lighter socket and at the
accessory outlet, I get a reading of only around 4.5 volts.
(The latter reading jumps about a volt if the engine is
running.) Why aren't the readings on the cigarette lighter
socket and the accessory outlet pretty much the same as at
the battery? (Both the cigarette lighter socket and the
accessory outlet work just fine to recharge my laptop
computer.)

Enlightenment appreciated.

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CWLee
Former slayer of dragons; practice now limited to sacred
cows. Believing we should hire for quality, not quotas, and
promote for performance, not preferences.