If I install the 20a accessory fuse my car battery will be dead within 1- 2 days without driving. I initially disconnected the cigarette lighter because it blew the fuse on contact. Just wondering where to start and find answers

Thank You

 

You have Parasitic drain in the system and need to replace (or disconnect if it's an aftermarket piece) whatever piece is causing the drain. Have you installed anything? Have you tried replacing the cigarette lighter ($5 maybe) or just disconnecting it? Do you know how to trace parasitic draw?

 

More than likely, that's the crux of the biscuit, right there.

Look for an amplifier, alarm, etc. etc. etc. aftermarket whatever, installed in your car, and wired to the orange wire circuit.

 

If you find something with parasitic draw and cant live without that aftermarket accessory then just put it on a switched power. You could splice an existing switched power circuit and use the switched power to energize a relay that way you don't overload an existing circuit. Sofa will correct me but I've read most 30A relays only use 1/10-1/5 of an amp and 6 volts to energize.

I bought a cheap USB charger that I installed in my car that I found was causing a few amp draw constantly. I didn't need it when the car is off and I have relays and wire out my ears so I just wired it that way.

 

Not too far from a rule of thumb: close enough to work with anyway.

 

What is the rule of thumb?

 

I meant, your #s aren't too far from being able to be used as one... a decent enough approximation for most purposes.