Issues with Sirius 12v Adapters - Canadian TV, Computing and Home Theatre Forums

mctnguy · 2007-04-12, 10:53 AM

Anyone familiar with a known issue with the Sirius 12v Adapters included with the newer units??

jwt873 · 2007-04-12, 11:33 AM

The 12 Volt adapters for the newer units (Sportster 3 and 4, Starmate 3 and 4, the Stratus, InV and Stiletto) drop the 12 volts down to 5 volts. There is a switching voltage regulator built inside the plug that fits in the cigarette lighter socket.

They are different from the plugs used for earlier receivers. They used 12 volts instead of 5. The 5 volt adapters have a different sized radio plug so you can't mix them up by accident.

I have two new receivers and the adapters work OK for me. I haven't heard of any failing, so they seem to be dependable.

The only 'problem' you can run into is if you want to keep your cigarette lighter socket free by hard wiring your Sirius receiver under the dash. With the 12 volt receivers, you could snip off the lighter plug and tap into any hot wire. But with the new units, you have to install another lighter socket under the dash use the whole power plug because that's the only way to get the 5 volts. Or, you have to buy an external 12->5 volt reducer with the proper connector to fit your Sirius receiver...... It's a bit more work.

mrhooie · 2007-04-12, 09:07 PM

Issues? there were 3000 bad CLAs in current gen units. If your tip has broken off, see the place you bought it for a warrantee replacement

siriusdude · 2007-04-13, 01:53 PM

Or just call the call center. They have individual ones to send out (they're out now but more expected any day) and I have a bunch here in the office. If you need one just PM me your information.

Mark

turbo1 · 2007-04-14, 01:09 AM

I had two returned to my place of work today, we just replaced them. its a knowin issue for sure.

mctnguy · 2007-05-07, 04:55 PM

Well, the replacement adapter that they sent me didn't work either. So I brought the whole thing back to the store and canceled my account. I'm still waiting for the refund.

The people that I spoke with at sirius were really friendly, but they (sirius) don't have their act together.

I'm really disappointed with them.

96stangr · 2007-09-18, 08:12 PM

my 12v adapter for my stiletto after 6 months one day decided to overheat while i was out of my truck, i got in and there was a haze in the cab, i thought i had wiring shorting out under my dash but i looked down and saw the smoke coming from the part that plugs in the dash, i grabbed it quick and pulled it out and it was extremely hot to the touch, took it into best buy and no questions asked gave me a new one right of the box from a new unit. I just hope the new adapter doesn't do the same some day when i'm out of the cab for a couple hours...

2007-04-12, 10:53 AM	#1
mctnguy Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Moncton, NB Posts: 61	Issues with Sirius 12v Adapters Anyone familiar with a known issue with the Sirius 12v Adapters included with the newer units??

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2007-04-12, 11:33 AM	#2
jwt873 Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Woodlands, MB Posts: 598	The 12 Volt adapters for the newer units (Sportster 3 and 4, Starmate 3 and 4, the Stratus, InV and Stiletto) drop the 12 volts down to 5 volts. There is a switching voltage regulator built inside the plug that fits in the cigarette lighter socket. They are different from the plugs used for earlier receivers. They used 12 volts instead of 5. The 5 volt adapters have a different sized radio plug so you can't mix them up by accident. I have two new receivers and the adapters work OK for me. I haven't heard of any failing, so they seem to be dependable. The only 'problem' you can run into is if you want to keep your cigarette lighter socket free by hard wiring your Sirius receiver under the dash. With the 12 volt receivers, you could snip off the lighter plug and tap into any hot wire. But with the new units, you have to install another lighter socket under the dash use the whole power plug because that's the only way to get the 5 volts. Or, you have to buy an external 12->5 volt reducer with the proper connector to fit your Sirius receiver...... It's a bit more work.

2007-04-12, 09:07 PM	#3
mrhooie Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Yellowknife, NT Posts: 706	Issues? there were 3000 bad CLAs in current gen units. If your tip has broken off, see the place you bought it for a warrantee replacement

2007-04-13, 01:53 PM	#4
siriusdude Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 144	Or just call the call center. They have individual ones to send out (they're out now but more expected any day) and I have a bunch here in the office. If you need one just PM me your information. Mark

2007-04-14, 01:09 AM	#5
turbo1 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: BC Posts: 7	I had two returned to my place of work today, we just replaced them. its a knowin issue for sure.

2007-05-07, 04:55 PM	#6
mctnguy Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Moncton, NB Posts: 61	Well, the replacement adapter that they sent me didn't work either. So I brought the whole thing back to the store and canceled my account. I'm still waiting for the refund. The people that I spoke with at sirius were really friendly, but they (sirius) don't have their act together. I'm really disappointed with them.

2007-09-18, 08:12 PM	#7
96stangr Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 9	my 12v adapter for my stiletto after 6 months one day decided to overheat while i was out of my truck, i got in and there was a haze in the cab, i thought i had wiring shorting out under my dash but i looked down and saw the smoke coming from the part that plugs in the dash, i grabbed it quick and pulled it out and it was extremely hot to the touch, took it into best buy and no questions asked gave me a new one right of the box from a new unit. I just hope the new adapter doesn't do the same some day when i'm out of the cab for a couple hours...