RAM 1500 Van V8-5.9L VIN Z LDC (2001)
Auxiliary Power Outlet: Description and Operation
CIGAR LIGHTER OUTLET
A cigar lighter is available equipment on this model. The cigar lighter is installed in the instrument panel accessory switch plate, which is located
near the center of the instrument panel, inboard of the radio. The cigar lighter base is secured by a snap fit within the instrument panel accessory
switch plate.
The cigar lighter knob and heating element unit, and the cigar lighter receptacle unit are available for service. These components cannot be
repaired and, if faulty or damaged, they must be replaced.
The cigar lighter consists of two major components: a knob and heating element unit, and the cigar lighter base or receptacle shell. The receptacle
shell is connected to ground, and an insulated contact in the bottom of the shell is connected to battery current. The cigar lighter receives battery
voltage from a fuse in the fuseblock module only when the ignition switch is in the Accessory or ON positions.
The knob and heating element are encased within a spring-loaded housing, which also features a sliding protective heat shield. When the knob and
heating element are inserted in the receptacle shell, the heating element resistor coil is grounded through its housing to the receptacle shell. If the
cigar lighter knob is pushed inward, the heat shield slides up toward the knob exposing the heating element, and the heating element extends from
the housing toward the insulated contact in the bottom of the receptacle shell.
Two small spring-clip retainers are located on either side of the insulated contact inside the bottom of the receptacle shell. These clips engage and
hold the heating element against the insulated contact long enough for the resistor coil to heat up. When the heating element is engaged with the
contact, battery current can flow through the resistor coil to ground, causing the resistor coil to heat.
When the resistor coil becomes sufficiently heated, excess heat radiates from the heating element causing the spring-clips to expand. Once the
spring-clips expand far enough to release the heating element, the spring-loaded housing forces the knob and heating element to pop back outward
to their relaxed position. When the cigar lighter knob and element are pulled out of the receptacle shell, the protective heat shield slides downward
on the housing so that the heating element is recessed and shielded around its circumference for safety.
POWER OUTLET
An accessory power outlet is optional equipment on this model. The power outlet is installed in the instrument panel accessory switch plate, which
is located near the center of the instrument panel, inboard of the radio. The power outlet base is secured by a snap fit within the instrument panel
accessory switch plate. A plastic protective cap snaps into the power outlet base when the power outlet is not being used, and hangs from the
power outlet base mount by an integral bail strap while the power outlet is in use.
The power outlet receptacle unit and the accessory power outlet protective cap are available for service. The power outlet receptacle cannot be
repaired and, if faulty or damaged, it must be replaced.
The power outlet base or receptacle shell is connected to ground, and an insulated contact in the bottom of the shell is connected to battery current.
The power outlet receives battery voltage from a fuse in the fuseblock module at all times.
While the power outlet is very similar to a cigar lighter base unit, it does not include the two small spring-clip retainers inside the bottom of the
receptacle shell that are used to secure the cigar lighter heating element to the insulated contact.
