12V Cigarette Lighter Plug Dual USB charger and voltage display - no way! - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: Greybeard
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 01, 2025, 04:06:10 pm
content: What is this?USB charger with car voltmeter or a USB volt/ammeter?A while ago, I bought a very similar one on eBay that displayed the actual 12V vehicle voltage when no USB cable was plugged in,and with the USB cable plugged in, it displayed USB voltage and current alternately.What do you think?

author: graybeard
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 01, 2025, 05:07:19 pm
content: I have tried several types of these voltage readout chargers.The one I have in the attached photo is the one I have liked the best. The PD output in this one works up to 12V. This one always displays the input side voltage.Most only put out 5V regardless how the outputs are labeled.The voltage readouts are OK. They are great for relative readouts when your vehicle lacks one, but do not expect absolute accuracy.

author: Greybeard
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 01, 2025, 07:14:15 pm
content: Looks good, right?I received this exact device yesterday.I was initially confused because it didn't fit into the car's power outlet (the two contacts on the sides of the plug aren't spring-loaded).So I opened it and was very surprised to find that there was neither an LED nor an LCD segment display, just an LED-illuminated mask labeled "12.5."The LEDs light up from approximately 9 V to 18 V, but it always shows 12.5 V.I'm such an idiot to fall for this scam... because I could have scrolled down the comments.QuoteStill, a hell of a lot of 5-star reviews.So please don't buy this crap:https://de.aliexpress.com/item/1005009707204573.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.10.482b5c5fPkTx5l&gatewayAdapt=glo2deuThese lousy scammers, go to hell...

author: BILLPOD
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 01, 2025, 07:18:20 pm
content: Good Morning Greybeard and Graybeard, I have similar units in both my vehicles and they give a good indication of charging and battery condition. Upon entering the vehicle I turn the key to the 'ON' position and observe the voltage of the battery, which should be in the vicinity of 12.6 VDC on a fully charged battery. Then I start the vehicle and observe the charging voltage, which should be somewhere between 13.9 and 14.5 VDS. And as I drive I notice when it is again fully charged, because it will drop to 12.6, but will return to charging, depending on the load I put on the battery, (headlights for sure). I wish they would show the cranking voltage, but the socket goes dead during cranking. Only one of mine has a USB socket, but it doesn't show USB voltage, as mine are older units.

author: Greybeard
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 01, 2025, 08:12:21 pm
content: Is there an easy way to report scammers on AliExpress?

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 01, 2025, 10:33:11 pm
content: Quote from: Greybeard on October 01, 2025, 08:12:21 pmYou can open a dispute and report its not working, may or may not get a refund.Then after that you can leave a 1 star review with a few details so other people can see it.

author: graybeard
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 02, 2025, 02:03:47 am
content: Quote from: Greybeard on October 01, 2025, 08:12:21 pmTake a short video and some photos of the problem. Upload them with your request for refund. I have not had an issue getting the refund if I show the defect when I show the issue clearly.

author: graybeard
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 02, 2025, 02:36:39 am
content: In this video I start my 2011 Ford Ranger truck and give it a bit of gas after it is started so you can see the voltage reading change.The cable on the bottom powers my dash cam, the one on the right I plug into my phone to charge it while I drive;

author: Greybeard
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 02, 2025, 09:15:14 am
content: Graybeard,I know there are working adapters like yours; I had one that worked, too.Regarding the dispute:I know the "normal procedure" (long discussions with the AI, uploading photos, videos, etc., waiting , waiting, waiting...), but I'd want to mark the seller as a scammer with just a few clicks.I tried to comment on the product, but I haven't found a way to do that.The whole AliExpress webshop is really bullshit.

author: graybeard
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 02, 2025, 09:20:11 am
content: The scammers just close their store and open a new one.

author: Greybeard
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 02, 2025, 09:29:56 am
content: Very nice youtube channel, Chris!