Accessory Plugs

[Briann1177]

Just want to confirm my thought. Are both of the plugs constantly hot from the battery or do they have a timeout when the key isn't on?

 

[Briann1177]

It's always hot. Not sure what I was thinking.

 

[ctuinstra]

Are you referring to the cigar lighter ports? It's actually a good question because not all cars leave them hot after the ignition is turned off. They could very well drain the battery if something is left plugged into them and continues to draw current over a long period of time.

 

[Briann1177]

I guess both. On mine, the cigar lighter and accessory plug are on the same circuit.

The reason I ask is that I found an integrated digital volt meter/USB panel that I would like to power from that circuit, but I was wondering if the display being constantly on would eventually drain the battery.

It probably won't cause any issues as it's just milliamps, but I'd rather have it come on and go off with the ignition. I don't really want to run more wires for just a voltage monitor circuit. I guess I could just not hook up the volt meter too.

 

[ctuinstra]

You don't want it on that circuit. Even milliamps will drain a battery if it sits long enough. I remember my old truck not being able to keep a battery in it and eventually figured out that it was a aftermarket clock that was killing all the batteries. It only pulled 100mA. There should be plenty of ignition lines available. The one from the radio would be a good one if you haven't cut all the wires.

 

[RichN]

The one from the radio would be a good one if you haven't cut all the wires.

The red radio stays hot also, that is what I used for my aftermarket radio and I can turn it on without the key in the ignition.