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additional cigarette lighter
- Thread starter sheward
- Start date
Does the new receptacle HAVE to be hot when then ignition is switched off? Else I would just tap off the existing cigarette lighter leads, albeit without using vampire taps.
If you HAVE to have power for your new outlet even when the ignition is switched off, note that Fuse C, a 16 amp fuse, is hot at all times. Fuse C powers the Tuner module in the trunk for a 500E. Also note that Fuse 9, an 8 amp fuse, powers the BE1432 "headunit," which is close to the center console, and is also hot at all times. Sorry I cannot remember if you are talking about a 500E or an E500.
This is what I did, the safest and most simple solution.
Rather than a cigarette lighter, I would recommend a USB port. I'd mount it either somewhere in the ashtray, or in the center console.
Also, if you want a hot lead even when the car is off, as @Jlaa said I would go with the hot lead to the radio. That's probably the easiest lead to identify, and the closest to the ashtray or center console area (you could run a wire under the center console wood to the console itself). Of course, both early and late cars have this hot lead to the radio.
One example that can be mounted discreetly:
Also, if you want a hot lead even when the car is off, as @Jlaa said I would go with the hot lead to the radio. That's probably the easiest lead to identify, and the closest to the ashtray or center console area (you could run a wire under the center console wood to the console itself). Of course, both early and late cars have this hot lead to the radio.
One example that can be mounted discreetly:
Thank you all for your comments. I want this to be hot at all times so that I can let my phone charge when I am out of the car or on a trip. This is all about my music and the phone will be my source.
Gerry, thanks for the link. This is actually what I want but never looked into it. Perfect.
I'll look at the connector behind the dead pedal. This seems the best option although the hot lead to the radio would be a bit easier and I've already just run speaker wires thru that same route. I am inclined to keep wires that are not within the factory harness to a minimum. I wasn't aware the radio is powered without the key on.
drew
Gerry, thanks for the link. This is actually what I want but never looked into it. Perfect.
I'll look at the connector behind the dead pedal. This seems the best option although the hot lead to the radio would be a bit easier and I've already just run speaker wires thru that same route. I am inclined to keep wires that are not within the factory harness to a minimum. I wasn't aware the radio is powered without the key on.
drew
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Cool! Just FYI - if you put in a cigarette lighter, no power is consumed (and your car battery is not draining) if nothing is plugged into the secondary cigarette lighter.
If you put in a USB port (which has a built-in step down transformer to go from 12v to 5v) it will consume a little bit of power even if nothing is plugged in. I'm sure you have already thought of this so please be careful if you make it always hot.
On a tangent, has anyone considered wireless charging install? I researched this once but never got too deep into it. Was originally thinking underneath the rolltop as I usually don’t store much there and wonder how much room there is between that and the tranny tunnel.
Edit: Just did a quick google search and these charging pads have gotten a lot smaller than when I first looked into it…
Edit: Just did a quick google search and these charging pads have gotten a lot smaller than when I first looked into it…
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