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My sons truck did not have a cigarette lighter/power point from the factory, so while I was searching for sockets, I came across this usb charger that also displays the voltage.
I got the socket from Oreilly's and the charger from Wal-Mart.com for a total of about 15.00
I checked the charger/meter on my 08 and it read correctly with both the key off and engine running.
I installed the socket today. The readings shown are with the key off. We haven't cranked the truck today.
Only downside is it will be a constant draw. Probably won't amount to much unless the truck sits for a week or two.
Reads 12.6 volts Voltage at battery 12.54 on meter
You may be over thinking this, if you ran a direct hot wire should be fine , you plugged in that piece so its activating while plugged in, if removed there should be no draw ,,also in the wiring harness theres most likely an accessory plug that the lighter would have gotten power from had it been installed originally ,,but for safety's sake , take the negative terminal off battery , get a test light,, Pull the negative terminal off the battery , Put the test light between the post and the ground wire. If the light illuminates, you have a draw ,, Use the fuse pull method to find the draw when the light goes out, you found the draw
