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Converting switched outlet to unswitched

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Old Nov 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?
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Old Nov 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.
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Old Nov 18, 2014
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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.
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Old Nov 18, 2014
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Re: Converting switched outlet to unswitched

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!
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Old Nov 18, 2014
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Re: Converting switched outlet to unswitched

Originally Posted by ezone
I'd probably run a dedicated fused circuit to the socket.
This is what I did with mine. Used a nice looking toggle switch and ran a new wire with a fuse.

Not sure why Honda does not keep it hot all the time.
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Old Nov 18, 2014
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Re: Converting switched outlet to unswitched

Originally Posted by GROOOOVED
Anyone know if the outlet is hooked to a relay?
The Civic does not use a relay for this circuit.


Originally Posted by GolNat

Not sure why Honda does not keep it hot all the time.
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.
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Old Nov 18, 2014
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Re: Converting switched outlet to unswitched

Ran it straight to the battery or an open fuse on an inside panel? Is there an open fuse on an inside panel?
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Old Nov 18, 2014
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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.
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Old Nov 18, 2014
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Re: Converting switched outlet to unswitched

What empty fuse holes are in your dash fusebox?

5, 16, 21?
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Old Nov 18, 2014
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Re: Converting switched outlet to unswitched

Fuse 16 hole should have one side hot all the time
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Old Nov 18, 2014
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Re: Converting switched outlet to unswitched

Originally Posted by ezone
What empty fuse holes are in your dash fusebox?

5, 16, 21?
I don't have it with me atm.
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Old Nov 18, 2014
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Re: Converting switched outlet to unswitched

Originally Posted by ezone
without having to dig around in the dash so much.
Nice! We're gaining on it here. Not digging around in there too much is the goal.

Thanks again for the help!
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Old Nov 18, 2014
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Re: Converting switched outlet to unswitched

How is the switched outlet switched if not with a relay?
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Old Nov 18, 2014
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Re: Converting switched outlet to unswitched

Originally Posted by GROOOOVED
How is the switched outlet switched if not with a relay?
Fuse 18 gets power directly from the ignition switch ACC terminal
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Old Nov 18, 2014
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Re: Converting switched outlet to unswitched

Gotcha. Electrical is a little greek to me, and I know it shouldn't be.....so I really appreciate it!
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Old Nov 18, 2014
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Re: Converting switched outlet to unswitched

A good wiring diagram would probably help you
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Old Nov 18, 2014
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Re: Converting switched outlet to unswitched

Could you jumper the accessory power relay?
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Old Nov 18, 2014
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Re: Converting switched outlet to unswitched

Well. I guess too much other stuff would be coming on.
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Old Nov 18, 2014
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Re: Converting switched outlet to unswitched

Yes, a diagram would definitely be helpful. Do you have a link to one?
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Old Nov 18, 2014
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Re: Converting switched outlet to unswitched

Originally Posted by GROOOOVED
Could you jumper the accessory power relay?

The answer is no.......but which relay are you looking at?
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Old Nov 18, 2014
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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.
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Old Nov 18, 2014
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Re: Converting switched outlet to unswitched

I just came across this and thought it might be what's wired into the key switch:
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Old Nov 18, 2014
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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......
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Old Nov 19, 2014
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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.
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Old Nov 20, 2014
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Re: Converting switched outlet to unswitched

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....?
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Old Nov 20, 2014
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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.
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