Cigarette Lighter - doesnt power off? (also switched power?)

[sk93]

I'm pretty sure it's supposed to, but my ciggie lighter (with a usb adapter plugged into it, which has a lovely green led on top) doesn't ever seem to turn off?
I thought that it was supposed to turn off after 20 minutes (eg, remain "hot" for 20 minutes after the car was locked).


Assuming that I am right - what could possibly cause this?

Assuming that I am wrong - is there any other accessories that dont remain "hot" but are "switched"?

Reason:
I'm looking at hard wiring my android tab unit in permanently, but I'm concerned hooking it up to the cig lighter, which if it doesn't turn off, would cause the battery to be dead after a night or two of constant phone charging.

also, if the power is "switched", this makes it perfect for turning the device on and off automatically

 

[nfarmer]

Pick up a feed from fuse 41, unused in my E85, add a line fuse and there you go. I think you will find the cigarette lighter in permanently live, it seems to be in my car and E46.

 

[TonyP]

I've got a plug in voltmeter & like you was surprised that it didn't turn off overnight, so no, I don't think its supposed to.

(Link to voltmeter included in case anyone may find it useful, it was pretty accurate too compared to a fluke dvm).

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Cigarette-Lighter-Voltage-Voltmeter-BuyinCoins/dp/B0092KVYGI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1398888715&sr=8-1&keywords=LCD+Cigarette+Lighter+Voltage+Digital+Panel+Meter+Volt

 

[Swiftly]

Cigarette lighter is supposed to be permantly live, thats the norm

 

[sk93]

Cigarette lighter is supposed to be permantly live, thats the norm

Cheers all - weird how some cars are switched and some arent

I had an E90 for a while, and that was definitely switched.
Company car's is also switched.
Navara was switched.
E39 was permanent.


In regards to fuse 41 - seems to have a fuse in it on mine, so I'm not ripping out the fusebox just incase it is in use lol

In any event, I found a switched live in the brown plug to the ashtray console (brown plug, white/violet wire).

 

[igeak691]

Can you take a pic of this brown plug/wire that is switched live? Want to switch mine to switched and not permanently live.

 

[srhutch]

Can you take a pic of this brown plug/wire that is switched live? Want to switch mine to switched and not permanently live.

Sk has found a switched wire to plug his tablet into, not the lighter. It's a heavy cable on the lighter so best left alone.

 

[sk93]

Can you take a pic of this brown plug/wire that is switched live? Want to switch mine to switched and not permanently live.

Sk has found a switched wire to plug his tablet into, not the lighter. It's a heavy cable on the lighter so best left alone.

agreed - if you want to switch the lighter, you're best pulling the fuse board and changing it that end.

the switched wire I used is only rated for max 5amp

 

[TonyP]

Can you take a pic of this brown plug/wire that is switched live? Want to switch mine to switched and not permanently live.

Sk has found a switched wire to plug his tablet into, not the lighter. It's a heavy cable on the lighter so best left alone.

agreed - if you want to switch the lighter, you're best pulling the fuse board and changing it that end.

the switched wire I used is only rated for max 5amp

Or divert the 15a feed to the ciggy lighter through a set of relay contacts & use the low current line to switch the relay.

 

[aquazi]

I stuck a piggyback fuse holder to the stereo fuse and fitted a second switched ciggy socket under the drivers side footwell for my road angel.... Which is hardwired all the time.


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