When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
So I plug in my car charger while the truck is on and I come back later on the night and the truck is off and the charger is still on. So what I'm trying to say do the power outlets stay on all the time or they shut off after a couple of hours.
Nothing super quick. Wouldn't be too hard to add a switch I suppose. What are you concerned about killing the battery? I never unplug my phone charger and leave my Stream light flashlight charging through the weekend routinely and never had a problem.
Or you could add an outlet from an up fitter switch. Those are key on power only.
I don't feel that having a cell phone charger plugged in and live all the time is really a concern. My work phone stays on the charger in the truck every night and all weekend. The power draw is very minimal. Even now that my batteries are nearly 4 years old, the truck still cranks like it was new even in 0*F temperatures after sitting for 2 days with the phone charging.
If you really want a charging outlet option that is not powered when the truck is off, you may want to consider a USB charging cord. My iPod stays plugged in all the time and the USB is not powered unless the ignition switch is on.
I don't feel that having a cell phone charger plugged in and live all the time is really a concern. My work phone stays on the charger in the truck every night and all weekend. The power draw is very minimal. Even now that my batteries are nearly 4 years old, the truck still cranks like it was new even in 0*F temperatures after sitting for 2 days with the phone charging.
If you really want a charging outlet option that is not powered when the truck is off, you may want to consider a USB charging cord. My iPod stays plugged in all the time and the USB is not powered unless the ignition switch is on.
Excellent point and interestingly (at least to me) I just upgraded to a JVC navigation unit and even without Sync now the USB still charges the phone -- even without it being connected to the new head unit.
So I plug in my car charger while the truck is on and I come back later on the night and the truck is off and the charger is still on. So what I'm trying to say do the power outlets stay on all the time or they shut off after a couple of hours.
Yeah they stay on. It's not like on the Tundras where they had a 4 hour accessory delay on one of the outlets (think they got rid of that after the 2010 model though, my 2009 had that feature).
Under the dash there is a customer access circuit, blunt cut and shrinkwrap capped Yellow/Orange wire that is on in accessory and run only, run that either to the existing lighter plug or add another one somewhere for switched accessory power if you want. Depends on the load - if it is a load that is actually prone to draining the battery then you would want it switched. If it's a milliamp draw phone charger or other rechargeable device I would not worry about it staying on. I'm assuming you drive the truck at least once a day/week though, if you leave it sitting for months at a time then you want to shed as many parasitic draws as possible.