Charger works with engine off in big rig but not in car

[bluemoonKY]

I am a trucker. I drive a Freightliner Cascadia semi-truck. My cell phone charger will charge my cellphone with the engine turned off on my semi-truck. But the same charger will not charge up my cellphone in my car when my car's engine is turned off.

Why will my charger charge up a cellphone with the engine off in my big rig but not in my car?

 

[berkeman]

I am a trucker. I drive a Freightliner Cascadia semi-truck. My cell phone charger will charge my cellphone with the engine turned off on my semi-truck. But the same charger will not charge up my cellphone in my car when my car's engine is turned off.

Why will my charger charge up a cellphone with the engine off in my big rig but not in my car?

Different vehicles have different functionality at their "cigarette lighter" power outlets. Some keep them on when the ignition is off, others turn them off. My Suburban keeps them on, but I know several other vehicles (Prius, a Subaru, etc.) that turn them off.

 

[Danger]

I know several other vehicles (Prius, a Subaru, etc.) that turn them off.

That is actually a safety factor (although I don't know if that was the intent). My portable oxygen generator specifically says to not use it on "lighter socket" power without the car running, because it could deplete the battery enough to prevent starting.

Geez... that just brought something from my kidhood back to mind. I was once very tired and fell asleep (in the parking lot of a hospital waiting for my father) behind the wheel of our '66 Falcon. I awoke to a nagging pain in my right knee, and when I looked at it the lighter was melted into my pants because I had pressed it in and held it there with my leg when I nodded off. To this day, I can't figure out why the fuse didn't blow.

 

[DaveC426913]

My wife's BlackBerry refuses to charge from the car at all - whether engine on or off. My LG is fine.

I think the BlackBerrys are picky about the flavour of juice.

 

[Danger]

I think the BlackBerrys are picky about the flavour of juice.

 

[berkeman]

My wife's BlackBerry refuses to charge from the car at all - whether engine on or off. My LG is fine.

I think the BlackBerrys are picky about the flavour of juice.

Wow, talk about an anti-feature!

 

[DaveC426913]

Yep. Extremely irritating, since about 50% of our need for phones is to keep in touch when we go out.

Nothin' like heading put on a shopping trip and discovering your phone is dead. Guess I'll be slouchin' about outside the fashion shops...

 

[Danger]

Guess I'll be slouchin' about outside the fashion shops...

Oh! The humanity...!