Stupid question about cigarette lighter plug :P
 

Alright,
so for now, I just have a basic cigarette lighter usb plug that i use for charging my phone while i drive. this plug has an LED on it, which never goes out unless it's unplugged (duh).
My question is, is the cigarette lighter plug at the front of the centre console constantly powered then? If i leave my usb plug in, will it drain my battery with the small LED? Should i unplug my usb everytime?

Sorry about this dumb question. I've never owned a car that does this (and I'm on vehicle #10 lol) and wiring a damn BMW seems way more complex than it needs to be :P

This outlet is ALWAYS powered. Key on or Key off. I will have to check to see if this goes off in sleep mode.

:iagree:


The X5 lighter socket is “live” all the time. Therefore, a charger will work in the lighter socket.

Simple steps to check the socket live all the time. You can test by seeing is the socket is live (using the lighter or a plug-in device) after the car “goes to sleep” . To do this, roll down the driver window and close the doors and remove the key. Wait about 15 minutes and then try the socket …. Without opening the door or touching anything else.

If the lighter socket is live:
- you can use it for trickle charging.
- proof that you ALWAYS need to unplug any device (e.g. iphone, gps)

This might help. http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...n-car-off.html

I have cell phone chargers plugged into both my front and rear ports, they both have LED lights glowing all the time. I have never had a problem with it draining my battery. I have let the X sit for around 10 days without starting, it fired back up without any problems.

thanks guys
ok, now say i have my Dashcam cord powered via a cigarette plug. If I cut off this cigarette plug end so I can use actual wires instead, do I need to add relays or fuses or anything?

BTW did you know about the somewhat hidden 12v outlet by the passengers left foot? I really like that one and I leave my cell phone charger plugged in all the time. I don't like the way chargers clutter up the area by the ash tray. The draw from that led is so minimal it doesn't matter. Cars with alarms will flash the little red light on the mirror the whole time and that doesn't cause an issue either. Having a 12v plug that always has power is very nice if you want to charge your phone when the car isn't running.

Yeah I know about this one.
I'm more concerned about wiring my dashcam.
I want it to turn on when the car is running, but don't want it powered while the car is off. Thanks

I wouldn't think you would need to add a fuse or relay. People don't usually when adding either gauges or radar detectors.

Although instead of cutting the wires and rendering the socket useless, I would use a quick splice connector to tap into the power wire.