Converting switched outlet to unswitched
11-18-2014
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Converting switched outlet to unswitched
2003 Civic EX - What's the easiest way to convert the outlet from switched to unswitched? I need my chargers working with the car switched off.
Is there a relay that can be jumpered or something?
Is there a relay that can be jumpered or something?
11-18-2014
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Re: Converting switched outlet to unswitched
easiest way would probably be to wire the outlet to the 12v off the radio since it's all right there together. Assuming the 12v at the radio is always hot (i've never check it so not sure but that's usually the case)
just be careful what you're using doesn't drain the battery so much you can't crank the car.
just be careful what you're using doesn't drain the battery so much you can't crank the car.
11-18-2014
#3
If you think a good mechanic is expensive, try hiring a bad one
Re: Converting switched outlet to unswitched
The constant power circuit at the radio is fed by the Back Up fuse.....and it may not have enough capacity to run a power socket at full load and power the other things it's supposed to run too.
I'd probably run a dedicated fused circuit to the socket.
I'd probably run a dedicated fused circuit to the socket.
11-18-2014
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Anyone know if the outlet is hooked to a relay?
If it is like the Element rear outlet in the link below, jumpering it might prove easiest, but I just don't know wiring all that well yet.
http://athena.ecs.csus.edu/~joel/fun...outletwire.htm
Thanks for the replies!
If it is like the Element rear outlet in the link below, jumpering it might prove easiest, but I just don't know wiring all that well yet.
http://athena.ecs.csus.edu/~joel/fun...outletwire.htm
Thanks for the replies!
11-18-2014
#6
If you think a good mechanic is expensive, try hiring a bad one
Re: Converting switched outlet to unswitched
The Civic does not use a relay for this circuit.
Most Asian cars never did it that way AFAIK.
Hot all the time seemed like an American thing at least as far back as the 60s.
Most Asian cars never did it that way AFAIK.
Hot all the time seemed like an American thing at least as far back as the 60s.
11-18-2014
#8
If you think a good mechanic is expensive, try hiring a bad one
Re: Converting switched outlet to unswitched
Not sure if anything is really open and free without seeing it and doing some research in the wiring diagrams.
The outlet uses fuse 18 in the dash box...... If you can remove that fuse and run a fused jumper directly from a "hot" to the correct side of that fuse socket it would power the outlet without having to dig around in the dash so much.
The outlet uses fuse 18 in the dash box...... If you can remove that fuse and run a fused jumper directly from a "hot" to the correct side of that fuse socket it would power the outlet without having to dig around in the dash so much.
11-18-2014
#9
If you think a good mechanic is expensive, try hiring a bad one
Re: Converting switched outlet to unswitched
What empty fuse holes are in your dash fusebox?
5, 16, 21?
5, 16, 21?
11-18-2014
#10
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Re: Converting switched outlet to unswitched
Fuse 16 hole should have one side hot all the time
11-18-2014
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11-18-2014
#14
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11-18-2014
#16
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Re: Converting switched outlet to unswitched
A good wiring diagram would probably help you
11-18-2014
#20
If you think a good mechanic is expensive, try hiring a bad one
11-18-2014
#21
If you think a good mechanic is expensive, try hiring a bad one
Re: Converting switched outlet to unswitched
And no, I can't link my diagrams. Sorry.
Search the site, there have been links to service manuals here in the past.
Search the site, there have been links to service manuals here in the past.
11-18-2014
#23
If you think a good mechanic is expensive, try hiring a bad one
Re: Converting switched outlet to unswitched
^No.....
The only thing you should trust is a factory wiring diagram set. Once you have that, all this should become crystal clear.
Even then, there can always be errors. Trust me, they suck. You'd THINK that at the dealer level......nah, we are the ones that get to discover it first.
(On a car that old, almost all the errors have been found and corrected though.) Gotta have the latest and greatest updated stuff.
Worse, different departments (sales/service/parts) can't even call a part the same name 3 times in a row.
Then you throw some people into the mix......
The only thing you should trust is a factory wiring diagram set. Once you have that, all this should become crystal clear.
Even then, there can always be errors. Trust me, they suck. You'd THINK that at the dealer level......nah, we are the ones that get to discover it first.
(On a car that old, almost all the errors have been found and corrected though.) Gotta have the latest and greatest updated stuff.
Worse, different departments (sales/service/parts) can't even call a part the same name 3 times in a row.
Then you throw some people into the mix......
11-19-2014
#24
Re: Converting switched outlet to unswitched
I added a 2nd, constant power outlet to my 7th gen from the memory line to audio unit ezone mentioned.
Ran it out behind console on passenger side.
The dome and map circuit would be a good LOW CURRENT constant source as well.
Ran it out behind console on passenger side.
The dome and map circuit would be a good LOW CURRENT constant source as well.
11-20-2014
#25
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Could I just splice an unswitched hot into the switched hot that's already hooked to the outlet? - so it would pull from both sources when key was on or just the unswitched source when key was off. Or maybe just jumper an unswitched fuse to the switched cig lighter fuse? That would make it simple if that would work....?
11-20-2014
#26
Re: Converting switched outlet to unswitched
^^^ No, you well could induce several problems doing so. (and likely a dead battery if left too long)
Keep it simple and add an extra outlet.
Edit: The WHT/BLU lead at the trunk light is a constant 12 volts, and would work as a low current source.
Keep it simple and add an extra outlet.
Edit: The WHT/BLU lead at the trunk light is a constant 12 volts, and would work as a low current source.
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