On Sep 13, 2:05*pm, "CWLee" wrote:
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.

You might try scratching the leads against the metal when you take a
reading.

You should be getting at 12 volts.