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Old 05-21-2011, 06:31 PM   #1
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Quick question: does cigarette lighter "stay on"?

Hey all,
Just have a quick question... I'm doing an in-car camera project and it will be powered by the cigarette lighter, but I'm concerned about it "staying on" while the car is off and draining the battery. I'd like a solution where I could leave it plugged in.

If it DOES stay on all the time, is there a way to "override" that somehow?

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Old 05-21-2011, 06:38 PM   #2
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It shuts off.
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Old 05-21-2011, 07:17 PM   #3
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sweet! thank you.
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Old 05-21-2011, 09:00 PM   #4
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Not trying to be contradictory, but if it shuts off, then how do the battery maintainers that plug into the cigarette lighter charge the battery?
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Old 05-21-2011, 10:58 PM   #5
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My 2000 is hot all of the time. Not ignition controlled.
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Old 05-22-2011, 05:57 AM   #6
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always hot. except when starting due to the X circuit...
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Old 05-22-2011, 06:02 AM   #7
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What's the X-Circuit?
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Old 05-22-2011, 06:31 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by stateofidleness
Hey all,
Just have a quick question... I'm doing an in-car camera project and it will be powered by the cigarette lighter, but I'm concerned about it "staying on" while the car is off and draining the battery. I'd like a solution where I could leave it plugged in.

If it DOES stay on all the time, is there a way to "override" that somehow?
Looks like this thread has derailed a little.
Back to your original question:
Hidden inside the console is a 4 prong connector which provides permanent and switched power.
If you search the forum there are several threads as how to locate the connector
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Old 05-22-2011, 08:19 AM   #9
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The plug is under the center console stack. Pull on the carpeted panel at red arrow towards the sides of the car about 2 inches to unsnap the panel (same can be done in passenger side). Then slide the panel towards front of the car to release the panel completely.




Dig around (it might be taped to the floor) for a 4 pin/wire (3 pin if MY '97) connector. Here's an actual picture of the connector and a schematic:



(I made this one for someone who needed to discern which wire was which based on the plug b/c they were color-blind).

If you're not color blind, here's an easier schematic I made:


Or you could always just run a lead to the fuse panel are there are a number of switched and unswitched empty slots available there too.

Good luck
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Old 05-22-2011, 09:00 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by blue2000s
My 2000 is hot all of the time. Not ignition controlled.
Same with my 2001. Before I hard wired my V1, my battery died a couple times because of it.
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Old 05-31-2011, 12:13 AM   #11
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Originally Posted by ChrisZang
What's the X-Circuit?
that's what turns off your headlights and other accessories when engaging the starter.
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Old 11-25-2011, 10:04 AM   #12
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Old 11-25-2011, 07:46 PM   #13
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It's hot on my '04.
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Old 11-25-2011, 09:18 PM   #14
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Per your first answer, mine is not active when ignition is turned off.
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Old 11-25-2011, 09:40 PM   #15
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My cig lighter is powered 24/7 whether the ignition switch is on or off.
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Old 11-26-2011, 08:23 AM   #16
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It must vary according to model year. My 2002 Boxster S is hot all of the time and I wish it wasn't. I have an MP3 player that I have to constantly pull from the plug each time I shut off the switch. Specific directions to tie it to the switch would be appreciated.
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Old 11-27-2011, 07:05 AM   #17
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99 stays hot 24/7 I forget to unplug the radar detector when driving into the garage
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Old 11-27-2011, 02:12 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by milliemax View Post
99 stays hot 24/7 I forget to unplug the radar detector when driving into the garage

Find a fuse that is switched ON with the ignition switch and wire the detector to that?

It's dead easy to find one using a 12v test light or a voltmeter. I have my V-1 wired that was for the same reason so I don't forget it! Gets to be a pita to remember each time you get out of the car to switch off the detector.

Best of luck!

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Old 11-27-2011, 03:21 PM   #19
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Originally Posted by tombea View Post
It must vary according to model year. My 2002 Boxster S is hot all of the time and I wish it wasn't. I have an MP3 player that I have to constantly pull from the plug each time I shut off the switch. Specific directions to tie it to the switch would be appreciated.
My 2000 stays hot, as I've posted. The 2009 Carreras stay hot as well. I bet all years are the same.
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Old 08-02-2013, 10:52 PM   #20
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Originally Posted by Burg Boxster View Post
The plug is under the center console stack. Pull on the carpeted panel at red arrow towards the sides of the car about 2 inches to unsnap the panel (same can be done in passenger side). Then slide the panel towards front of the car to release the panel completely.




Dig around (it might be taped to the floor) for a 4 pin/wire (3 pin if MY '97) connector. Here's an actual picture of the connector and a schematic:



(I made this one for someone who needed to discern which wire was which based on the plug b/c they were color-blind).

If you're not color blind, here's an easier schematic I made:


Or you could always just run a lead to the fuse panel are there are a number of switched and unswitched empty slots available there too.

Good luck
Anyone have copies of these images. I have to pull the USB adapter out of the liter each time we park, but otherwise the darn thing keeps draining power.

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