Continuous power to 12V power outlets

[WhiteGXL Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close WhiteGXL]

I am wondering if anyone has found it frustrating that the 12V power outlets can't charge phones/accessories if the ignition is off?

Even if you leave the ignition on, it automatically turns off after 20 minutes.

When we go camping we used to be able leave the phones charging in the locked car overnight, but I can't figure out a way to do this with my Prado GXL 150 (keyless ignition system).

Anyone got ideas? Anyone had their 12V outlets rewired for constant power?

[mjrandom Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close mjrandom]

Do you have an auxiliary battery? Wire up to that. If not the time out is to try to make sure your main battery will start the engine.

[yowie Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close yowie]

Wire in another 12v outlet straight to the battery, add a fuse or fusible link to the positive wire.

As mjrandom stated, to the 2nd battery if you have one.

In my Prado, I have 2 x 12v outlets in the rear, wired to the 2nd battery. Use these for charging my marine radio, or lights for camping.

[RanJ Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close RanJ]

This is one thing I will give to the Dodge/Jeep Chrysler marquee... in the fusebox under the hood the fuse can be moved into a different position enabling constant power or switched power.

[WhiteGXL Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close WhiteGXL]

Thanks all,

Mostly I don't require a second battery (not at this point anyway) and I was just hoping there would be an easy solution with the existing set up, like what appears to be possible with Jeeps. Anyone altered their existing 12V outlet wiring so they're not linked to the ignition or is this too risky? I don't want to void warranties or risk electrical issues in doing this.

Cheers.

[Ryzz Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Ryzz]

Thanks all,

Mostly I don't require a second battery (not at this point anyway) and I was just hoping there would be an easy solution with the existing set up, like what appears to be possible with Jeeps. Anyone altered their existing 12V outlet wiring so they're not linked to the ignition or is this too risky? I don't want to void warranties or risk electrical issues in doing this.

Cheers.

Just run a positive (with fuse) and negative wires straight from your main battery and replace the wires underneath the cig lighter with the new wires you ran form the battery. This will mean your cig lighter socket ALWAYS has power. BE VERY VERY CAREFUL doing this to your starter battery, use it to much and your car wont start.

[WhiteGXL Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close WhiteGXL]

Just run a positive (with fuse) and negative wires straight from your main battery and replace the wires underneath the cig lighter with the new wires you ran form the battery. This will mean your cig lighter socket ALWAYS has power. BE VERY VERY CAREFUL doing this to your starter battery, use it to much and your car wont start.

OK, That sounds like a pretty reasonable solution. It would really only be used for charging phones overnight, so I'm assuming the chance of draining the starter battery would be slim under those conditions. If I end up getting a fridge I'll definitely be investing in a dual battery arrangement - and I see that there are multiple threads dedicated to that can of worms.

[mjrandom Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close mjrandom]

If it is for overnight charging how about just wiring up a couple of outlets under the bonnet and not running live cables into the car? You need to fuse either case but under the bonnet you can do it with short cable runs and minimum impact.

[AJ120 Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close AJ120]

If it is for overnight charging how about just wiring up a couple of outlets under the bonnet and not running live cables into the car? You need to fuse either case but under the bonnet you can do it with short cable runs and minimum impact.

And leave your phones charging under the bonnet? With the bonnet up you risk getting them nicked, with the bonnet down you risk forgetting them. Rewiring the city plug would be the simple answer.

Cheers Andrew

[Croz Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Croz]

I had been considering something like running a power cable to the rear of the car and installing a 12V outlet next to the inverter plug point but putting a switch above it so I have the option of turning it on or off. This way I could charge my phone etc but also run a lead from the car to the tent for an LED lighting strip or something like that in the rear of the car. I would probably put an led indicator switch in so its obvious that the power has been left on to the outlet.

Then, if I was ever to go to a dual battery setup the cabling is already there and I just need to hook it up in the engine bay.

Slightly off topic but has anyone tapped into the power supply for the inverter to run a 12 socket next to it? Thought this might be a simple way of putting a 12v outlet in the rear...

[Prone Member Find all posts View Profile Close Prone]

Slightly off topic but has anyone tapped into the power supply for the inverter to run a 12 socket next to it? Thought this might be a simple way of putting a 12v outlet in the rear...

No need to tap into inverter wiring there is already a socket with 12V behind the 230V outlet plate that is used for a 12V outlet when the inverter and 230V socket plate is not installed. It is the socket with a light green wire and white with black trace wire. It is protected by the 12V outlet fuse and only on with other outlets.

Check following link

http://www.pradopoint.com/showthread...ocations/page3

Posts 38 and 39

Cheers
Prone

[Croz Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Croz]

Fantastic! I know what I will be doing this weekend.

Thanks Prone.

[LeighW Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close LeighW]

If the accessory circuit is similar to the 120, there will be a relay in the main fuse box
that controls the circuit. To enable continuous power your should be able to
make up a short patch lead with a spade terminal on each end, remove the relay
and patch the contacts points. Keep in mind the warning about draining the
cranking battery.

Leigh

[discoveraus Member Find all posts View Profile Close discoveraus]

Hello LeighW,

If you jump the auxiliary relay contacts in a 150 will you energise the 12 Vdc to 240 Vac inverter continuously and drain the battery even without anything plugged into any outlet. How much current will the inverter draw and how long will the battery last.

regards

Ross

[LeighW Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close LeighW]

Does it have an on/off switch, my inverter in my 120 (add on) is connected all the time but
only draws a few milli amps when turned off?

Leigh