Power Sockets

[Noffie]

Just been camping with my new T180 (very chuffed with it on the whole). One little niggle is that the power sockets only have power when the ignition is on. Which means that I can't recharge my PDA and handheld GPS overnight (after using then for a day out walking).

Does anyone know a way around this?

[Zathras]

yeah, that bugged me a little too when I first got my RAV... but in pratice found its more use than always on actually, as I keep things like a cool box in the back most of the time that I only want powered while engine is running and not have the hassle of unplugging them.

However although the rear and arm rest are on the ignition, the one in the front console is always on I think. (I've got a 2006 XT5)

I'd have to check as its been a while since I used that one, but fairly sure that was the case.

[anchorman]

yeah, that bugged me a little too when I first got my RAV... but in pratice found its more use than always on actually, as I keep things like a cool box in the back most of the time that I only want powered while engine is running and not have the hassle of unplugging them.

However although the rear and arm rest are on the ignition, the one in the front console is always on I think. (I've got a 2006 XT5)

I'd have to check as its been a while since I used that one, but fairly sure that was the case.

I have a 2006 XT4. Non of them work without the ignition turned to the ACC position.

However, I don't really know how you guys turn the ignition on!

Regards

[Zathras]

I have a 2006 XT4. Non of them work without the ignition turned to the ACC position.

However, I don't really know how you guys turn the ignition on!

Its done simply by pushing the button without putting your foot on the clutch.

Your right though, I was wrong about the console socket it does seem to be off the ignition also. However I can tell you that its on a different fuse as I blew the one which runs both arm rest and rear with a dodgy inverter, while the console socket continued to function.

[Noffie]

Hmmm, I may have a go at making a gizmo to get around this. This'll be plugged into one of the power sockets and have 2 output sockets of its own:

- when the ignition is on, the output sockets will be powered from the car Battery, provided that the car Battery is well enough charged (above 12 volts)

- if the ignition is off or the car Battery is below 12 volts, the output sockets will be powered by the gizmo's internal battery

- if the car battery is really well charged (over 12.5v - typically when you're driving) then the gizmo will automatically recharge its internal battery

- the output sockets will automatically switch off when the internal battery is drained (below, say, 10 volts)

This should allow me to leave my gadgets plugged into the output sockets to be charged as long as the internal battery lasts. And with no danger of the car not starting in the morning. And the gizmo should automatically recharge itsself when I start driving again.

Unless anyone knows of a gizmo that already does this?

Cheers

Paul

[Steve@Aberdeen]

Hmmm, I may have a go at making a gizmo to get around this. This'll be plugged into one of the power sockets and have 2 output sockets of its own:

- when the ignition is on, the output sockets will be powered from the car battery, provided that the car battery is well enough charged (above 12 volts)

- if the ignition is off or the car battery is below 12 volts, the output sockets will be powered by the gizmo's internal battery

- if the car battery is really well charged (over 12.5v - typically when you're driving) then the gizmo will automatically recharge its internal battery

- the output sockets will automatically switch off when the internal battery is drained (below, say, 10 volts)

This should allow me to leave my gadgets plugged into the output sockets to be charged as long as the internal battery lasts. And with no danger of the car not starting in the morning. And the gizmo should automatically recharge itsself when I start driving again.

Unless anyone knows of a gizmo that already does this?

Cheers

Paul

I've got a portable jump-start set - a smaller 12V Battery - my model includes a compressor, light and 230V inverter.

I use this with a 3-way adapter on an aux socket - it keeps charged up from the car system when power is on, but then provides ongoing power when the car system is off - lets me charge up my laptop, phone, PDA or iPod whilst parked.

I bought mine from Halfords (~£60 I seem to recall).

[anchorman]

Hmmm, I may have a go at making a gizmo to get around this. This'll be plugged into one of the power sockets and have 2 output sockets of its own:

- when the ignition is on, the output sockets will be powered from the car battery, provided that the car battery is well enough charged (above 12 volts)

- if the ignition is off or the car battery is below 12 volts, the output sockets will be powered by the gizmo's internal battery

- if the car battery is really well charged (over 12.5v - typically when you're driving) then the gizmo will automatically recharge its internal battery

- the output sockets will automatically switch off when the internal battery is drained (below, say, 10 volts)

This should allow me to leave my gadgets plugged into the output sockets to be charged as long as the internal battery lasts. And with no danger of the car not starting in the morning. And the gizmo should automatically recharge itsself when I start driving again.

Unless anyone knows of a gizmo that already does this?

Cheers

Paul

For the amount of current your are talking about, why not just run an accessory socket (from any car spares shop) from the Battery via a line fuse into the centre box and charge your Ipod from there.

Regards

[Noffie]

I've got a portable jump-start set - a smaller 12V battery - my model includes a compressor, light and 230V inverter.

I use this with a 3-way adapter on an aux socket - it keeps charged up from the car system when power is on, but then provides ongoing power when the car system is off - lets me charge up my laptop, phone, PDA or iPod whilst parked.

I bought mine from Halfords (~£60 I seem to recall).

Steve,

Yes, one of those might do the trick. Can you leave your accessories plugged into it while it's recharging. What I have in mind is a refrigerated coolbox which I don't want to have to unplug when the Battery recharges.

Cheers

Paul

[Steve@Aberdeen]

Steve,

Yes, one of those might do the trick. Can you leave your accessories plugged into it while it's recharging. What I have in mind is a refrigerated coolbox which I don't want to have to unplug when the battery recharges.

Cheers

Paul

With mine, you shouldn't be running accessories off it whilst it's charging (i.e. don't try to run an ac accessory off the inverter whilst it's recharging off the car's 12V system). However, plugging a 2/3-way adapter into your car accessory socket and then plugging the Battery pack and coolbox into it should be fine (assuming the combined load is within the car's accessory socket loading).