Cigarette lighter sockets
 

Does anyone know if these are always "on"? I want to connect an ipod charger to one but don't want it to drain my battery after a few days.

Yes, they are always on.

Thanks for the info. Any way to prevent discharging the battery (other than unplugging the socket)?

It wont drain it.

Keep it plugged in

Thanks for the advice. Let me ask, how can you be sure? I want to leave the ipod charger connected to the socket underneath the glovebox and only connect the ipod when I'm in the car. Since the charger is always drawing current, isn't there at least some likelihood that the battery with get discharged over time?

Car battery is bigger than iPod battery. :woot:
I have a Dension ice-link, and I always leave my 4G iPod in the e46. If the iPod is dead (which it has been, since I only use the iPod for long drives), it may take a while to charge, but once it does, it doesn't draw much, i imagine, other than a trickle.

All of them are always on. You have 3 options.

1. Get a flashlight charger to cigarette adapter since the charger is switched. Replace the crappy flashlight with a real LED flashlight that doesn't need batteries for years.

http://www.xoutpost.com/attachments/x...er-adapter.jpg

2. Get a cigarette plug multiplier with a voltage relay on it. They sell them at walmart. When the voltage dips below a "safe" amount it shuts off to save your car battery.

http://www.baproducts.com/rpsc-810.jpg

"Don't be left stranded by an unexpected battery rundown! When your vehicle's battery voltage falls below 11.2 volts, the Battery Guard will automatically suspend the power to your 12-volt appliance to save enough battery power to start your vehicle. It works with devices up to 10 amps."

3. Rewire a new cigarette plug using a fuse tap to a switched unused fuse.

http://www.anythinggps.com/ProductIm.../Fuse.Tap2.jpg

I have my cell phone charger and laptop charger plugged in all the time.

It will only drain if it is plugged in and the car is off. However, my cell phone battery is no biggy and I can do that with the car off and it wont drain my battery.

Im sure if I did that with my laptop charger it would go dead.

Ipod is small so no worries.

Some great advice guys. Thanks for all the help.