12 V inline killers

[edco]

Since all the 12V (formerly known as cigarette lighters) adapters are unswitched meaning they are on all the time, now that my son is driving he keeps leaving his Ipod or Iphone or other gizmo in the garage, sometimes for 4 days since he has 2 of everything (long story)..so when I get in I have a dead battery..


Someone must have invented something that gets plugged into the 12V adapter FIRST and after a period of non-use it automatically shuts it off...cause getting this teenager to remember to PULL OUT THE BLOODY PLUG is nearly impossible...

I even bought a solar trickle charger that plugs into the rear 12V port, has suction cup feet to hold it to the rear glass, but it doesnt do diddly, squat or bubkis..depending on what part of the country you come from..

Even a switch that he could turn off so that he doesnt have to reach down to the PS well to get to THAT bloody 12V adapter would be good.

Maybe we could invent one..?

Thank you for letting me vent,

ED in NJ

Retired effective 9/30/09 after just shy of 35 years at IBM

[omodos]

Good question and you have answered one of mine as I plan to use a solar trickle charger as we have heaps of sun out here and was wondering if the dc sockets are live when ignition off on an X5....
I am sure the circuit can be cut and switch put in place to turn the dc 12v on and off but would not know where to start alas, you will get an answer from one of the gurus on the site I am sure, it's a great site.

[omodos]

Here is an answer to one of my earlier posts, do a search on dc sockets and there is more in the replies that may help:

you should get the aux input installed and then use a tuneflex 2.0 ($10 off ebay refurb) and call it a day. Its very convienient and puts the Ipod at right height and location so you can control it (right below the volume button). Those FM transmitter ones sound like crap.
__________________
1999 M Coupe - Heavily modified
2001 740i Sport - Heavily modified
2004 X5 4.8is - X-pipe! V1 hardwired, Invision DVD headrests, N62 Intermediate Levers Fixed!

[anerbe]

pull power from a switched source, like the homelink. I hardwired my V1 into this, and it works flawlessly.

Other option is to install some sort of switch (I did this for my iPhone), where I installed a switch under my center armrest to manually turn off the power when I did not want to run my charger all the time.

[edco]

Can anyone answer why BMW choose to make them ALL unswitched..?

Seems like a dumb idea...Maybe they smoke more in Germany :-)

[m5james]

Originally Posted by edco

Can anyone answer why BMW choose to make them ALL unswitched..?

Seems like a dumb idea...Maybe they smoke more in Germany :-)

I prefer them being constant 12v, and have rewired past/current cars to be the same way...charging my cellphone while at the gym, running a portable cooler in my work truck, etc. If you can't trust your kids to take their things outta the car, then maybe you should quit letting your kids drive your car, period. A firm smack in the back of the head of car priveleges will drive it home, saving you money and killling two birds w/ one stone.

[edco]

Originally Posted by m5james

I prefer them being constant 12v, and have rewired past/current cars to be the same way...charging my cellphone while at the gym, running a portable cooler in my work truck, etc. If you can't trust your kids to take their things outta the car, then maybe you should quit letting your kids drive your car, period. A firm smack in the back of the head of car priveleges will drive it home, saving you money and killling two birds w/ one stone.

I prefer not hitting my children and letting me decide if I want it constant current or not.. thanks for your valuable advice..

[m5james]

Originally Posted by edco

I prefer not hitting my children and letting me decide if I want it constant current or not.. thanks for your valuable advice..

Lighten up edco, you can't take jokes in your retirement? If you can't control your kids, then rewire the outlet(s) of choice and make them pay for it and/or do the work.Maybe your due for a replacement battery as X5Dawg said. When I first hardwired my radar detector into my 7, I did it quickly before a roadtrip and found the first 12V I could find and didn't realize it wasn't switched till I shut the car off. I left it that way for probably a month w/o issues until one night the beeping from the radar detector caused the alarm to go off at work...im assuming a cop drove by. Since then I used a multimeter and rewired it, quick and easy. Such a little item as an iPod shouldn't be killing your battery after a few days.

[edco]

Originally Posted by m5james

Lighten up edco, you can't take jokes in your retirement? If you can't control your kids, then rewire the outlet(s) of choice and make them pay for it and/or do the work.Maybe your due for a replacement battery as X5Dawg said. When I first hardwired my radar detector into my 7, I did it quickly before a roadtrip and found the first 12V I could find and didn't realize it wasn't switched till I shut the car off. I left it that way for probably a month w/o issues until one night the beeping from the radar detector caused the alarm to go off at work...im assuming a cop drove by. Since then I used a multimeter and rewired it, quick and easy. Such a little item as an iPod shouldn't be killing your battery after a few days.

You're right... I'm sorry.. I just dont like violence towards children. My dad used to slap my brother on the back of the head and now he's BALD back there.. Thank goodness I was the good kid with a full head of hair

[X5Dawg]

Originally Posted by m5james

I prefer them being constant 12v

I hate on my wife's SLK that I cannot charge my phone or iPod while I am out of the car.

With that said, I have left my cell phone and DICE plugged up for a few days without discharging the battery - maybe you are in need of a new battery??