GregCon

I've owned cars from Honda, Lexus, Infiniti...they all have one common feature that drives me nuts. The cigarette lighter/12v port only is powered up if the ignition is on. This means you can't charge your cell phone overnight or whilst dining.... my LS460 is no exception.

Has anyone determined an easy way to make the 12v port in the console 'hot' all the time?

Shibumi1

they do this so the oem battery doesnt die... an leave u stranded!!!!! like um maybe my escalade has done time an time again...

if u really want it done its a simple fix..run a 12v fused lead from the batt to the 12v port..(any stereo shop should be able to do it)

GregCon

Well....all my non-Japanese vehicles have a hot port and they never drain the battery. A phone charger probably would take 4 months to drain a car battery.

I know I can run a wire to the port...but in a car like an LS that is not so easy to do. That's why I wonder if anyone has discovered an easy spot to tap in to the wiring.

Shibumi1

actually the new (08 & up) gm vehicles manual says to unplug all acc devices upon exiting the vehicle.. its been an ongoing prob..it may take awhile to deplete the batt (if driven daily) but leave a device plugged in 48hrs an dead batt city baby.. (actually leave the door open more than 45mins (detailing the truck) an dead batt, even during service the 1st thing the tech does is plug in a charger.. once the batts drained (even if recharged) it becomes easier and easier to die because it will never reach a true full charge ever again..

even viper suggests if putting an alarm on gm vehicles (to use an alternate wiring option..gm only option fyi)

but im not here to argue.. just inform.. if u feel safe plugging in then by all means... but from my experience (with a few gm cars & trucks & bmw fyi) i wouldnt doit for long periods.. not to mention it shortens the life of the charger...

happy charging

CJITTY

Shibumi is a master installer by the way
...probably should take his advice..plus, cell phone batteries these days aren't like low power led lights..I have a spare battery for my phone ready to go if I ever find myself away from wall tethering options.

GregCon

In my truck, for instance, I leave the charger plugged in to the lighter port all the time. I'll go for two weeks without even driving the truck - never had any problem.

My Honda Accord, I wired the console hot and also left the charger in all the time for 6 years and never had an issue.

The power draw of a phone charger is miniscule.

All I know is it is a pain that I can't charge my cell when I'm in having lunch.

Shibumi1

12volts positive is Black (80a) at the fuse block 1 pin plug..(should be at least 10awg)

GregCon

Thanks, I looked in the owner's manual and Fuse 5 is for the 12v port in the console, so when I get time I am going to feed it with constant power.