Potential for battery drain via cigarette lighter - or non-issue?

[mediaman09]

The cigarette lighter outlet in the front console is only active when the car is on, but the one in the armrest is always active.

Question. I have a USB adaptor, which I use to charge the ipod, and its ideal for under armrest. I would like just to keep that adaptor plugged in all the time ( ie, treat the lighter outlet as a USB port) and forget about it. I of course wont be charging the ipod all the time, but that adaptor would be plugged in 24/7 ,and it does have a small LED lamp (which I dont care if it burns out or not). Is there any way for this little adaptor, being plugged in 24/7, to drain the battery?? ... or is this a non-issue.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/--klwV7Hfmjo/UAsXkRWEnfI/AAAAAAAAFPU/AhjXzRQNVCQ/s320/usb.jpg

[peterm15]

Should be a non issue. I wouldn't do it, but it shouldn't drain your battery if your car is driven daily. my dad had his gps constantly plugged in and his adapter runs constant.

And are you sure the ones in the armrest in on 24/7. I've heard others say it as well but in my 07 both the lighter and armrest one turns off with the key.

[The Wolf]

I wish the armrest outlet on 1st gens was always on.

[mediaman09]

Should be a non issue. I wouldn't do it, but it shouldn't drain your battery if your car is driven daily. ...." .

1) Why would you say you would NOT do it??
2) Re "if driven daily". what if the car is parked for a week ( ie on vacation)..any issue then?



And are you sure the ones in the armrest in on 24/7. I've heard others say it as well but in my 07 both the lighter and armrest one turns off with the key.

Positive. With the car off, LED stays light up in the armrest ; LED is dead in the front outlet (light up when car is on)

[Akiba48]

The 2nd gen armrest outlet is always on even when the car is off. However, I would avoid leaving it plugged in. I burnt the fuse for that outlet, but luckily it's covered under warranty.

[mediaman09]

I would avoid leaving it plugged in. I burnt the fuse for that outlet, but luckily it's covered under warranty.

Hmmm, hadnt thought of that. Ideally then, I need a USB adaptor, with an on/off switch!

[Hoodzy]

What a stupid idea to always have that plug going...

[Hyperion]

Actually, it's a good idea. Don't like it? Use the other one.

I would put $100 down that it won't ever have an affect. I've had a charger with a LED plugged in tree for 2 years now and no problem.

[cwp_sedan]

Only vehicles in the last 8-10 years have started using plugs that aren't powered all of the time. IMO it's a pain to not have it charge my phone, etc anytime.

The problem is we have more demanding devices now which require more charging and could, if left plugged in for a long period of time, drain the battery. I'm sure most manufacturers made it like this to make up for the incompetence of people lol.

If its an iPod or a phone, it's not going to hurt it to have to charging over it or through the day, etc. if its a GPS or laptop and left in while you go away on vacation for a week or 2 you may come back to a dead battery.

I would just unplug it when it's not a necessity to be plugged in.

[mediaman09]

Just to be clear on the concern here, it was not about charging devices for long periods of time.

It was simply about leaving the adaptor permanently plugged in and forgotten about (with its always on LED light on 24/7) with nothing being charged, and whether that alone, over time ( eg over night or over a two week vacation period) could ever drain the battery. Or it is a non-issue.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/--klwV7Hfmjo/UAsXkRWEnfI/AAAAAAAAFPU/AhjXzRQNVCQ/s320/usb.jpg

[The Wolf]

since the LED is the only thing using power, I would imagine you would never have a problem. Most vehicles with an alarm system have LEDs that stay on when the system is armed. I really think it's a non-issue :)

[Hoodzy]

Actually, it's a good idea. Don't like it? Use the other one.

I would put $100 down that it won't ever have an affect. I've had a charger with a LED plugged in tree for 2 years now and no problem.

How is it a good idea?

[peterm15]

If you want to get really creative. Put a small switch inside the armrest. When you want to shut it off, flick the switch.

[lcianf01]

since the LED is the only thing using power, I would imagine you would never have a problem. Most vehicles with an alarm system have LEDs that stay on when the system is armed. I really think it's a non-issue :)

I agree, the remote car starters have that blue led that blinks

[cSPEED]

Aslong as the little LED is all that is draining battery in that USB device it should be a non-issue IMO. What's the worst case here? Battery dies you charge it and just unplug it next time.

[peterm15]

My concern with it being plugged in is a malfunction. Once had my grand am catch fire due to a malfunction in a cellphone charger. I was driving at the time.

[Lactose]

My concern with it being plugged in is a malfunction. Once had my grand am catch fire due to a malfunction in a cellphone charger. I was driving at the time.

Dah ****.

Anyways with just a small USB adapter I'm sure there really isnt an issue. I leave mine plugged in all the time, and I've had it in there for about 2 months? I also had my GPS plugged in there and ON (without me realising) for ~1 week and I had no problems. Finally realised it when I turned off my music to hear the engine and it told me to take the next exit.

[mediaman09]

Given the consensus is yes, no, maybe...I think the wisest approach here is "better safe than sorry" , and simply get a new adaptor with an on/off switch, as noted earlier in this thread.

They are inexpensive and provide more peace-of-mind!

Here is an example (http://www.buyincoins.com/details/categories/mini-usb-car-charger-adapter-with-switch-for-apple-ipod-iphone-3-4g-smartphone-product-14969.html).

http://img1.buyincoins.com/gallery/usb-car-charger-with-switch_03.jpg

[sube]

Geez guys have a titter of wit here,there are lots of things in a car from factory with a permanent live feed, IE: car radio has a permanent live to the memory for station pre sets, clock has a permanent live feed, alarm has a constantly flashing LED armed or not, at least in the 2nd generation. What the OP proposes presents no more of a risk than any of these items.

Pat.