'35 cigar lighter short/falure?

[hueyhoolihan]

Originally Posted by ford38v8

Steve, your thoughts on disconnecting the lighter are correct. There was no short or other malfunction in your system, as the early lighters were not automatic, and relied on manual removal when hot, before the insulation on your wiring melted. (Ask me how I know). New knobs are available from Carpenter.

really?

i can imagine that an early cigarette lighter, like a pre-1920 lighter, may have been offered that did not automatically pop out. but only if it was being held in by the operator's finger.

i actually think that a bimetallic mechanism was used from the outset that acted as a spring as temperature increased and as it pushed the heating element out it broke the circuit that activated it at the same time.

but if there is evidence to the contrary i'd be anxious to read it.