TylerSteez

iTrader: (3)

Hey guys, I installed a cigarette lighter/phone charger in my car but it draws on the battery when the car is off, I have an inline fuse running to it and I want to install a switch so I can turn it on when I need it and off when I don't. Since the previous owner put a camaro center console in my trans am I am going to put the switch where the trunk release switch on the camaros normally is so I'm not hacking the car up in any way.

My question is, would I install the switch before or after the fuse?

luvofjah

iTrader: (2)

The switch just breaks the current, so where doesn't matter...

What does matter, is how much amperage the switch is rated at?
Also to consider, what you plan to run off the plug.

Not sure what the trunk mounted switch is rated at...
You could wire up a relay then the switch / amperage would not be a problem.

Rafael

TylerSteez

iTrader: (3)

I don't plan on using the trunk release switch, I'm gonna go to autozone and look at their switches and see what they have, I just plan on charging my phone off of it while driving and lighting up a cigarette occasionally when I don't have a lighter

luvofjah

iTrader: (2)

Lighting a cigarette probably draws a lot more than powering your phone... being it's essentially a short that heats up an element.... might fry your switch too... google to see what a typical car 12v lighter draws...

TylerSteez

iTrader: (3)

Gotcha thanks for the help

Rockguy

I don't understand the need for a switch. Lighter sockets are generally hot at all times. Unless you are leaving your phone plugged in while the car is off, you shouldn't have a draw. If you are concerned about that, you could have just used a switched power source when you wired the socket up. Doing it that way would erase the chance of leaving something plugged in for a long period and draining your battery. I installed an extra socket in my 88 IROC for phone charging. No problems with drain.

TylerSteez

iTrader: (3)

It's not an average cig lighter it has 2 12v outlets as well as a cig lighter. I had it wired without a switch and overnight my battery would get low, one time I was sitting in a parking lot for no more than 15 minutes with the car off and the radio on and my battery didn't have enough of a charge to turn the motor over. I've had it unplugged ever since and that never happened again. The battery is under a year old and the alternator is under 6 months old

Rockguy

Well that's strange. If nothing is plugged in, they shouldn't be causing a current drain. As far as your switch thing. Like the other guy said. Make sure the switch is rated for as many amps as the fuse you installed. If not, use a relay as mentioned.

TylerSteez

iTrader: (3)

Got that covered but I ended up not having the right connectors for the switch terminals, gonna have to go back to autozone tomorrow. Thanks