How do you plug in/wire an appliance into a car's cigarette lighter? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Jim B. · #1 03-18-2010, 11:30 AM

Does anyone know if an in-home nebulizer (plugs into wall socket at home) could be wired to have a plug into a auto cigarette lighter?

I have started to date a nice woman that needs one available it is the only thing preventing her from a sightseeing trip to San Francisco.

I would appreciate any tips. Thanks, all.

SwampYankee · #2 03-18-2010, 11:36 AM

The easiest thing to do is to pick up a one-outlet inverter that will plug into your cigarette lighter, then just plug the nebulizer into the inverter. I can't imagine that a nebulizer draws very much but be sure to check the capacity. The single outlet inverters are fairly inexpensive (less than $30) and can be bought at any evil box store and most local hardware/autoparts stores.

Graplr · #3 03-18-2010, 11:47 AM

My 4 year old son has asthma and sometimes requires a nebulizer for it. I have plugged his nebulizer into this cheap inverter ($15) from Harbor Freight into my suburbans cigarette lighter before. I know it worked flawlessly.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=66972

aklim · #4 03-18-2010, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim B.

plugs into wall socket at home)

could be wired to have a plug into a auto cigarette lighter?

I would appreciate any tips. Thanks, all.

AC power

DC power

Need inverter with the correct output. You cannot wire them in. It would probably NOT work.

tbomachines · #5 03-18-2010, 12:14 PM

I would just check the draw before going out and buying a power inverter just to make sure that its rated at enough. Can't imagine a nebulizer would take much, but good to play on the safe side. Also something to consider is the load put on your alternator and fuse...I've blown the fuse before when I plugged two laptops in.

aklim · #6 03-18-2010, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tbomachines

I would just check the draw before going out and buying a power inverter just to make sure that its rated at enough. Can't imagine a nebulizer would take much, but good to play on the safe side. Also something to consider is the load put on your alternator and fuse...I've blown the fuse before when I plugged two laptops in.

Maybe the best thing is for him to figure out how much this lady is worth. If she is worth it, maybe he should hook up a direct line to the battery with a relay hooked to switched power.

pawoSD · #7 03-18-2010, 06:18 PM

Another option is to date women who are without any health issues.

We demand perfection from our cars, so we drive MB's....why settle for anything less in a female?

aklim · #8 03-18-2010, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pawoSD

Another option is to date women who are without any health issues.

We demand perfection from our cars, so we drive MB's....why settle for anything less in a female?

Because your car might not be able to suck a golf ball thru a garden hose?

300SD81 · #9 03-18-2010, 06:45 PM

nebulizer = over priced air compressor, a $5 12V air pump produces about the same CFM, and my friend with asthma has used one plenty of times.

aklim · #10 03-18-2010, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 300SD81

nebulizer = over priced air compressor, a $5 12V air pump produces about the same CFM, and my friend with asthma has used one plenty of times.

IIRC, it also allows you to pump metered medication in. Besides, you feel lucky risking your life on a $5 pump that you jury rigged to work? Not if I have asthma (and I do), I won't.

300SD81 · #11 03-18-2010, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aklim

IIRC, it also allows you to pump metered medication in. Besides, you feel lucky risking your life on a $5 pump that you jury rigged to work? Not if I have asthma (and I do), I won't.

As far as I know, all the medication is taken care of the plastic thingy that attaches to the compressor. Not my area of expertise tho, just saying I've seen my friend use a cheapo compressor and/or shop air plenty of times.

aklim · #12 03-18-2010, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 300SD81

As far as I know, all the medication is taken care of the plastic thingy that attaches to the compressor. Not my area of expertise tho, just saying I've seen my friend use a cheapo compressor and/or shop air plenty of times.

Yes, it is part of the hose assembly. The hose, the medication part and the compressor isn't that expensive so I'd rather not screw around with that should I get an attack. Money I can earn back. Body healing, not so easy

rocky raccoon · #13 03-18-2010, 07:35 PM

As a medic I can offer some opinions that I believe to be valid.

1. A modestly priced inverter that plugs into your cigarette lighter outlet WILL easily power a nebulizer.

2. A nebulizer can be powered by an oxygen bottle. That is the way we do it in the ambulances. Put medication in your cup, hook up the hose and set the regulator to 6 to 8 cfm. A treatment takes about 10 minutes and a portable oxygen bottle will handle about 4 treatments. If your friend is seriously asthmatic she probably already has oxygen prescribed. If not, she should.

3. Those who counseled using ordinary shop grade compressed air are flirting with pneumonia at best, death at worst. Levels of lubricating oil, moisture and general rusty crud in shop air are dangerous. There is a reason that scuba tanks are filled with special compressors. Argue if you will but it changes nothing.

There is no reason you can't have a great time on your cross-country drive. Adult asthmatics seldom need a treatment on a regular basis, only when occasional cicumstances so require it. By all means have the ability to treat along on your trip but I'll bet that if you show her a good, stress-free time she may never need it.

4x4_Welder · #14 03-18-2010, 07:41 PM

I don't know that I would want to take an asthmatic towards the southern half of CA-
I've been around some nasty, noxious fumes before, but at the end of three weeks in Nipomo I had to get out of there. My eyes were watering coming through Maricopa and Bakersfield it was so bad. I know SF doesn't have as much of a pollution problem being right on the coast, but something to keep in mind.

Jim B. · #15 03-18-2010, 11:30 PM

Wow Swamp, it works perfect!!!

Big thanks goes out to you for a speedy reply, you have made a trip to San Francisco possible tomorrow, for all day sightseeing, in my old home town, and helped out what could be a budding romance!!

Many thanks to the rest of you too.

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