We were traveling, using a 1-to-3 lighter adaptor to power 2 cell
phones and a laptop.  I don't know what caused what, but the whole
thing got hot and the adaptor melted enough to come apart, but not so
that the plastic melted -to- anything.  Now the lighter/power outlet
does not work.  I assume that it is a fuse.

I tried to replace the fuse but there is a clear plastic cover over the
fuses with several black plug things on top of it.  Is there any reason
not to just cut that cover off?  Is that where the fuse would be, or is
there another one somewhere?

Thank you for any help!