12 Volt Sockets at turn off?

[DHartwell]

In my old car, as soon as I turned it off, the power would be killed to the 12 volt sockets so that, for instance, my GPS would say “external power lost, shutting off in 30 seconds” even though, with its internal battery, it could have stayed on for hours.

This was nice.

After shutting off the t-bird, the GPS (and anything else plugged in) stays on indefinitely (at least overnight).

So my questions are:

1. Do the 12 volt sockets in the car power off with the car?
2. Can something be changed such that they do?
3. Are my devices sucking juice all night if I don’t turn them off manually?

It’s annoying to have to keep shutting things off every time I stop. If I don’t, they stay lit which is surly a security concern.

Thanks!

Doug

[Gobird]

Re: 12 Volt Sockets at turn off?

Doug, Not sure what you are talking about. I have an external GPS and it times out on it's own when we are on the road and stop for a bite to eat or even gas depending on how long we have the car shut off. I have to turn it back on manually for it to start working again. As far as I know everything on the car times out after a short period of time when turned off.

[DHartwell]

Re: 12 Volt Sockets at turn off?

Something is different between the way my GPS responded to my last car (it would turn on and off with the car) and the t-bird (it never turns itself on or off with the car)

[Eyelawdoc]

Re: 12 Volt Sockets at turn off?

I suppose a good question would be, "What was the make and model of your last car?" I've noticed that on Japanese cars the power ports are wired in with the ignition. No power goes to the port when the car is off.

On American cars, the power ports are traditionally where the cigarette lighter pluged in. In most American cars these are wired so the circuit is hot all the time. The T-bird is no exception.

[Gobird]

Re: 12 Volt Sockets at turn off?

OK, I had a dash board bar light laying around from my F150 I sold last year. I plugged it into the dash mounted receptacle and shut the door on the Bird. It hasn't turned off yet and it's been at least 10 mins. Have no idea when it will turn off at this point.

Really all you need to do is pull the plug and not a problem after that.

[Lonestar]

Re: 12 Volt Sockets at turn off?

I think you are talking about your 12v power port??? If so, yes, it is hot all the time. Unlikely that a GPS or cell phone that only pulls milliamps will kill your battery overnight. Plus, as noted, a GPS will shut down or go into stand-by mode and once a cell phone battery is fully charged it will stop having any draw on the car's battery.

[DHartwell]

Re: 12 Volt Sockets at turn off?

I suppose a good question would be, "What was the make and model of your last car?" I've noticed that on Japanese cars the power ports are wired in with the ignition. No power goes to the port when the car is off.

On American cars, the power ports are traditionally where the cigarette lighter pluged in. In most American cars these are wired so the circuit is hot all the time. The T-bird is no exception.

Yes, my last car was a Toyota

[DHartwell]

Re: 12 Volt Sockets at turn off?

OK, I had a dash board bar light laying around from my F150 I sold last year. I plugged it into the dash mounted receptacle and shut the door on the Bird. It hasn't turned off yet and it's been at least 10 mins. Have no idea when it will turn off at this point.

Really all you need to do is pull the plug and not a problem after that.

I suppose it's just a little luxury i had gotten used to.

It's hard to change years of habbit.

Thanks for everyone's help!

[Brad]

Re: 12 Volt Sockets at turn off?

I don't remember if both are on the same fuse or not, but why don't you re-wire one of the sockets to the ignition circuit, it shouldn't take very long to do. I like having the an always hot socket for times I need to charge my phone while traveling in my car while I'm not there...I also like for accessories to shut off automatically.

[Lonestar]

Re: 12 Volt Sockets at turn off?

"I suppose it's just a little luxury i had gotten used to."

Humm, I see it as the exact opposite – having to have the key on and all the other stuff that then would be on if power was desired from the power port. But it is what it is and other than that I am sure you will love your car.

[Sealy]

Re: 12 Volt Sockets at turn off?

Pep Boys has nifty little add a circuits that plug into your fuse box. You can add a plug where needed (in the console) or repower a plug (or anything else) from there. Somethings I like to keep running, some I like to go off with the key. But I like it to be my choice - which is what makes my Bird enjoyable.

[DHartwell]

Re: 12 Volt Sockets at turn off?

oooooh i totally dig that.

but i don't know if i'm mechanically inclined enough to do it.

[Lonestar]

Re: 12 Volt Sockets at turn off?

I think there are some owners in your neck of the woods that would probably be willing to lend you a hand.

[blue731]

Re: 12 Volt Sockets at turn off?

Put me down in the category of really liking the power port being powered without the key. The Toyota shuts off when the ignition is in the off position, I hate that. My Ford truck and the TBird both stay hot. I'd rewire the Toyo if It wasn't my wife's car.