lighter power?
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Pasadena CA
lighter power?
When the car is off (not in ACC mode) devices attached to my lighter still draw power. Does this shut off after a few seconds or minutes? Or will they drain the battery if I leave them on all night?
Thanks,
BigHaig
Thanks,
BigHaig
Pro
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 530
Likes: 11
Yes they continue to work. The fuse is 20 amps (check the owner's manual for location) so it can provide a good deal of current.
You should have some concept of the # of amps your device uses before you connect it. If it's greater than 20 you'll blow the fuse.
I would guess the battery is good for about 80 amp hours, so at max power draw it won't hold up overnight (and it's harmful to the battery to deep cycle it).
If the device is like an iPod, and drawing < 1 amp per hour there should be no problem at all leaving it connected.
John
You should have some concept of the # of amps your device uses before you connect it. If it's greater than 20 you'll blow the fuse.
I would guess the battery is good for about 80 amp hours, so at max power draw it won't hold up overnight (and it's harmful to the battery to deep cycle it).
If the device is like an iPod, and drawing < 1 amp per hour there should be no problem at all leaving it connected.
John
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Pasadena CA
It's a Sirius radio. I am not sure how many amps it draws. So I should not worry about leaving in on all day/night? See info below.
Power ..........................9-16 Volts, Negative Ground
Fuse Requirement ........... 2A ATC
Thanks
Power ..........................9-16 Volts, Negative Ground
Fuse Requirement ........... 2A ATC
Thanks
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,094
Likes: 84
From: Miami FL
I notice that my cell phone charger stays lit even if the phone isn't attached to it. I am beginning to wonder if it will keep drawing power if I remove the fob from the car. I'm going to experiment to see if it will keep draining the battery even when the car is left and the fob removed and will report back. Judging by the posts so far, the consensus is that the socket stays hot all the time and will drain the battery, but I need more proof than that.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 10,089
Likes: 14
The accessory power sockets are hot all the time. I would not recommend leaving anything plugged into them with the engine off. Starting batteries can be damaged if more than 20% of net capacity is discharged from them, ie never deep cycle them. So you will hurt the battery if you draw more than about 0.7 amp from it for more than 48 hours without recharging. Ignition switched power is available in the fuse box, hook up there for anything you want to leave connected to the car.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,094
Likes: 84
From: Miami FL
Originally Posted by shopdog
The accessory power sockets are hot all the time. I would not recommend leaving anything plugged into them with the engine off. Starting batteries can be damaged if more than 20% of net capacity is discharged from them, ie never deep cycle them. So you will hurt the battery if you draw more than about 0.7 amp from it for more than 48 hours without recharging. Ignition switched power is available in the fuse box, hook up there for anything you want to leave connected to the car.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 530
Likes: 11
Originally Posted by bighaig
It's a Sirius radio. I am not sure how many amps it draws. So I should not worry about leaving in on all day/night? See info below.
Power ..........................9-16 Volts, Negative Ground
Fuse Requirement ........... 2A ATC
Thanks
Power ..........................9-16 Volts, Negative Ground
Fuse Requirement ........... 2A ATC
Thanks
Most radios draw the most amps when they are turned up to the maximum volume. If it is just in the 'on' position and maybe some little light is on with no audio it would be drawing very little power.
The Fuse requirement of 2 Amps means it should never normally draw that much. So let's just say it draws about 1 amp, so yes it is fine to leave hooked up all night.
Of course if it's a C6, it doesn't need a reason to run down the battery, it already has one.
John
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Verdad Gallardo
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 27,420
Likes: 64
From: San Clemente CA
Originally Posted by JohnDS
Hard to figure why a radio would need to be connected all night.
Most radios draw the most amps when they are turned up to the maximum volume. If it is just in the 'on' position and maybe some little light is on with no audio it would be drawing very little power.
The Fuse requirement of 2 Amps means it should never normally draw that much. So let's just say it draws about 1 amp, so yes it is fine to leave hooked up all night.
Of course if it's a C6, it doesn't need a reason to run down the battery, it already has one.
John
Most radios draw the most amps when they are turned up to the maximum volume. If it is just in the 'on' position and maybe some little light is on with no audio it would be drawing very little power.
The Fuse requirement of 2 Amps means it should never normally draw that much. So let's just say it draws about 1 amp, so yes it is fine to leave hooked up all night.
Of course if it's a C6, it doesn't need a reason to run down the battery, it already has one.
John
Moderator
Joined: Dec 2002
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From: Lakewood Ranch, FL
Originally Posted by C6Jeff
I notice that my cell phone charger stays lit even if the phone isn't attached to it. I am beginning to wonder if it will keep drawing power if I remove the fob from the car. I'm going to experiment to see if it will keep draining the battery even when the car is left and the fob removed and will report back. Judging by the posts so far, the consensus is that the socket stays hot all the time and will drain the battery, but I need more proof than that.