12 V inline killers
 

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

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.

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!

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.

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

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

Hi There,

I just bought one of these, it is an excellant product and does everything you want and more.:thumbup::thumbup:


https://powertraveller.com/iwantsome...epower/000193/

I ran an additional outlet inside of the armrest compartment for my cell phone. Its running from an accessory wire so it shuts off automatically.
In my Audi it stays on for an additional few minutes after leaving the car. I wish I had this in the X.

OK..I got home too late to take photos, but here is a thought that I use some bright iput on as an idea..

Let's assume I waned to install a 12V UNSWITCHED outlet, outside and just below the center consolt storage bin.

So first I have to find two wires that are SAFE to tap (since my car had pretty much every option, I'm not sure (other than going pair by pair where there are no fuses) how I could find a switched current. I dont like the idea of tapping into another fuse, ie I could use an "add-a-fuse" to the windshield wipers which (I think) is 15 amps.
But I'd rather pull one off that's wired and not used.

So question one for our group of merry men..do you know of a likely fuse, ie where it's wired already in the back would be good so I wouldnt have to take it apart, and run the wires, vs a TAP off of a line not being used...

Question two is, is there a good reason other than convenience to use the panel behind the glove box vs the one on the (on my US 06 X5) rear panel of fuses and wires..?

I have an extra 12V outlet so thats not a problem..just trying to drive to a conclusion.
Thanks for the contined support folks
ED

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..