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cig lighter relay?

Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Relays
Forum Discription: Relay Diagrams, SPDT Relays, SPST Relays, DPDT Relays, Latching Relays, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=137968
Printed Date: April 28, 2024 at 6:56 AM


Topic: cig lighter relay?

Posted By: tenchu
Subject: cig lighter relay?
Date Posted: December 14, 2014 at 2:31 PM

This is probably an odd question, but I am curious if it is at all possible to have a switch to change my cig lighter from constant power to accy power. It is currently in its factory configuration to turn off with the car, but on occasion I would like to be able to turn it on constant power so I can charge my phone with the car off. I am paranoid about parasitic draw so I don't want to just change the wiring to constant power.



Replies:

Posted By: howie ll
Date Posted: December 14, 2014 at 4:23 PM
No problem just run a direct feed from the wire feeding your fusebox from the battery and fuse it at 15 amps.
No relay needed.
The only parasitic draw will be on leaving the charger in the lighter.

-------------
Amateurs assume, don't test and have problems; pros test first. I am not a free install service.
Read the installation manual, do a search here or online for your vehicle wiring before posting.




Posted By: oldspark
Date Posted: December 14, 2014 at 5:31 PM
Although Howard omits the switch so therefore the cig socket is always powered (constant +12V), there is no parasitic draw from the socket itself - it's only if you have things plugged in and on.

I have always had constant +12V cig sockets (and radios & HUs etc). Even when I have mistakenly left things on - like GPS etc thru the cig socket (or left the HU on either paused or no volume) - I have had no problems for a day or few.
Mere charging of phones or GPS etc should be no problem. They are a relatively low load anyhow, and that decreases as the battery charges.

Besides, an actuated relay to connect constant +12V would itself be a 60-250mA draw.




Posted By: howie ll
Date Posted: December 14, 2014 at 5:51 PM
I omitted the switch because the OP said "constant" else it could have been left in its original state.
I wonder if our OP understands no need for a relay as much as he or she misunderstands the meaning of parasitic draw.

-------------
Amateurs assume, don't test and have problems; pros test first. I am not a free install service.
Read the installation manual, do a search here or online for your vehicle wiring before posting.




Posted By: oldspark
Date Posted: December 14, 2014 at 9:09 PM
Fair enough. I was referring to his first line re having a switch to select between the two (ACC {else IGN} & constant.
Alas a switch - or relay - involves cutting into the existing cig socket supply - else duplicating it - and since IMO it is fine having a cig socket to constants +12V (rad: often that's desirable).   
In short - no switch - just rewire to constant +12V (ie, battery +12V via a fuse) just as you suggested.


As to parasitic draw, I often read where people think there (might be) a parasitic draw with cig sockets. I have no idea where they get that idea from, after all even a lighter is not drawing current until it is pushed in - but it is a common theme in webland.
Maybe such people use those health damaging air fresheners....? [ Or cig-socket battery chargers to keep their batteries fully charged? (ha fracken ha!) ]






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