Wiring lighter to stay hot?
I was wondering if anyone ever thought about wiring their cigarette lighter to be on all the time. And maybe with a switch beside it to turn the switch off whenever they wanted. My old school Accord had a cigarette lighter that stayed on all the time. Kinda convenient.
Has anyone thought of/tried this before? You'd have to change the wiring for the lighter to be hot all the time, instead of on with ACC. I know the concept, but not the wiring.
It seems like something cool to do. That way, I could charge my phone while I'm at work and come back to it charged.
Also, if no one has, is there a downside to doing this?
I would like to be in control of the socket instead of needing to turn the car on all the time. You know, master of my own domain, and all that crap.
Has anyone thought of/tried this before? You'd have to change the wiring for the lighter to be hot all the time, instead of on with ACC. I know the concept, but not the wiring.
It seems like something cool to do. That way, I could charge my phone while I'm at work and come back to it charged.
Also, if no one has, is there a downside to doing this?
I would like to be in control of the socket instead of needing to turn the car on all the time. You know, master of my own domain, and all that crap.
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Re: Wiring lighter to stay hot?
Originally posted by biohazard
...It seems like something cool to do. That way, I could charge my phone while I'm at work and come back to it charged.
Also, if no one has, is there a downside to doing this?...
...It seems like something cool to do. That way, I could charge my phone while I'm at work and come back to it charged.
Also, if no one has, is there a downside to doing this?...
You would replace the + wire thats hooked to the cig lighter with one straight to the battery. There would be a chance of draining your battery...that and most phone car chargers are not designed to be used for extended periods of time. It's doable, and easy if you really want to do it.
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Originally posted by Rufus
Yeah, it's also convienent if you want to burn holes in your car or start a fire. I like fire personally.
Yeah, it's also convienent if you want to burn holes in your car or start a fire. I like fire personally.
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what youd want, is this: 
http://www.radioshack.com/product.as...t%5Fid=275-664
double pole double throw center off switch (DPDT)
complete control over the cig lighter
youd send the top pin to a wire to the battery, or to the radio's constant 12v, or to any constant 12v signal
center pin would go to the cig lighter positive (yellow and something, i forgot)
bottom pin would go to the original cig lighter 12v source
when switch is pushed up, its always on, when switch is in center, cig lighter has no juice, when switch is on the bottom position, it works as if stock
are we happy now?

http://www.radioshack.com/product.as...t%5Fid=275-664
double pole double throw center off switch (DPDT)
complete control over the cig lighter
youd send the top pin to a wire to the battery, or to the radio's constant 12v, or to any constant 12v signal
center pin would go to the cig lighter positive (yellow and something, i forgot)
bottom pin would go to the original cig lighter 12v source
when switch is pushed up, its always on, when switch is in center, cig lighter has no juice, when switch is on the bottom position, it works as if stock
are we happy now?
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i may be wrong, but i dont think a cell phone charger draws that much that it would drain the battery over say 6 hours, besides i think most phones stop charging when theyre full, ive notice that my home charger gets warm when charging, but after its on a few hours after full charge, it cools down
Originally posted by EternalVTEC
i may be wrong, but i dont think a cell phone charger draws that much that it would drain the battery over say 6 hours, besides i think most phones stop charging when theyre full, ive notice that my home charger gets warm when charging, but after its on a few hours after full charge, it cools down
i may be wrong, but i dont think a cell phone charger draws that much that it would drain the battery over say 6 hours, besides i think most phones stop charging when theyre full, ive notice that my home charger gets warm when charging, but after its on a few hours after full charge, it cools down

I didn't think it would cause that much damage to have it on...
how about this man, go to auto zone or a local shop and buy some 16 or 18 gauge wire. you don't want to go any lower, the lower the more the voltage gonna be suck out of the battery. tap one end of the wire to possitive and the other tape into the positive back of the cirgerate lighter.
very important. for example if you are doing this for a phone and want to use the lighter port. NOW SINCE IT IS TAP ^^^^LIKE ABOVE you want to put a fuse 12in. from the battery.
very important. for example if you are doing this for a phone and want to use the lighter port. NOW SINCE IT IS TAP ^^^^LIKE ABOVE you want to put a fuse 12in. from the battery.
i did had the same thought what i did is cut my phone charger that plugs in the cig port. from there i ground the black wire, lengthen the red wire AND add a fuse.
what i end up placing to charge the phone is the box that is under the stereo. what is great is that i can use the cig lighter for other purpose. the phone does not draw a lot of juice so don't worry.
what i end up placing to charge the phone is the box that is under the stereo. what is great is that i can use the cig lighter for other purpose. the phone does not draw a lot of juice so don't worry.
Last edited by 024drlx; Dec 11, 2003 at 11:48 PM.
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