12V auxillary outlet smoking my stuff!

[1badezgo]

Even if the polarity is wrong (+ and - reversed) it still will not short or smoke anything. What ever you plug into it just won't work if you are reading 12 volts or close to that at the plug you should be fine. You need to meter voltage at the 48v to 12v converter to eliminate it.

[JohnnieB]

Originally Posted by 1badezgo

Even if the polarity is wrong (+ and - reversed) it still will not short or smoke anything...........

Not 100% true.

Most devices have an in-line diode or some type of protecting against being damaged if they are plugged into reverse polarity, but not all.
Also, lower voltage devices require the correct adapter to be plugged into a 12V lighter outlet.

Just because the little plug on the other end of a cable physically fits into the little hole on the device, doesn't mean the voltage, or polarity, is correct.

[pachanga90]

I'm with the others,If you get 11.9 and its' smokin' stuff,the polarity is reversed.Electronics don't like reverse-polarity.The center is Always hot on that type plug.If the meter is reading -11.9v then its' definitely switched.Also,a lot of the electronics have a small glass-fuse inside the end of the plug where the metal-tip is,just unscrew the end of the plug.Hope this helps.

[sonicj]

Originally Posted by pachanga90

The center is Always hot on that type plug.If the meter is reading -11.9v then its' definitely switched.

they can be wired either way. diagram on the label shows polarity.

[pachanga90]

To be more descriptive,A cigarette-lighter type receptacle is always center-hot,case-grounded(outside)This is easy to understand since if you look at most receptacles they have a metal-body that usually comes in direct contact with the mounting,which is used as its' ground when it is mounted in metal.Yes,the items themselves have polarity differences in their respective plugs at the unit,but at the 12v. receptacle it is always the same.One of my specialties at work is Custom Truck-Equipment such as Lighting,GPS-Systems,Warning-Systems,so I deal with this alot.Hope this helps.

[DOOmsman]

And what is the outcome?

[AirJunky]

You can use a test light or multimeter to test what the polarity is on the center node. Just ground the light / meter & touch the center. No need to get behind the plug.

[sonicj]

Originally Posted by pachanga90

To be more descriptive,A cigarette-lighter type receptacle is always center-hot,case-grounded(outside)This is easy to understand since if you look at most receptacles they have a metal-body that usually comes in direct contact with the mounting,which is used as its' ground when it is mounted in metal.Yes,the items themselves have polarity differences in their respective plugs at the unit,but at the 12v. receptacle it is always the same.One of my specialties at work is Custom Truck-Equipment such as Lighting,GPS-Systems,Warning-Systems,so I deal with this alot.Hope this helps.

ahh, indeed!

[pernellj954]

The outcome...the EZ-GO dealer wired the converter backwards on the output side! I looked under the seat where the converter is and I immediately saw it. Red wires were connected to the black coming out of the converter, and black wires (from aux) wired to the yellow. Switched it around there and my aux plug works.

I guess the headlight/tail light kit doesn't care if its backwards since they have worked fine.

[OutCole'd]

Originally Posted by pernellj954

The outcome...the EZ-GO dealer wired the converter backwards on the output side! I looked under the seat where the converter is and I immediately saw it. Red wires were connected to the black coming out of the converter, and black wires (from aux) wired to the yellow. Switched it around there and my aux plug works.

I guess the headlight/tail light kit doesn't care if its backwards since they have worked fine.

Very cool, easy fix. And yes, regular lights wont matter.