bad to leave charger plugged into 12v?

matthewkristof

matthewkristof

Member
i want to add an additonal socket by tapping into the wiring for the smoker's box that i don't have. i plan to mount this socket in the center console. no issues there. what i want to do is keep an iphone charger plugged in at all times into that added socket, and when i need to recharge the battery, pull the cord from my center console and plug it in.

my question being: is it bad to leave this setup like this all the time? is there any harm to the electrical system or the new socket?

i'm a beginner when it comes to wiring for cars, so be gentle. i do not have the constant power on mod either. thanks in advance.

MCK
 
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You should be fine. There's no problem leaving something in the socket all the time. There's quite a few who have done it; I will be doing it soon myself. I'm going to do J.A.'s power mod; but it disturbs me leaving it hot all the time (with something plugged in like a charger). However, when I do the power mod, I am planning putting a lighted switch in, so I can turn the sockets on/off as I desire.

The computer and others electronics are constantly on. I see no problems with leaving a charger on too (just don't go bypassing a fuse!). Just my opinion/option in putting a on/off switch in.
 
Last edited:
R.A. said:
However, when I do the power mod, I am planning putting a lighted switch in, so I can turn it on/off the sockets as I desire.
Click to expand...

I hard wired an inverter with a switch similar to this setup. I also installed a voltmeter so I can monitor battery usage. If you run a switch you can leave whatever you want plugged in all the time and just flip the switch if your battery gets too low.

This is what I have. It's great for $30

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-G2983-1/


Edit:
matthewkristof said:
i've thought about a switch as well...found some that can fit in the blanks...just don't really know how to wire it... =P
Click to expand...

I can help you with anything you have trouble with but its really not that hard. Most switches come with directions. I have the contra rocker switches that will fit in the factory blanks with a little work. They look almost oem too.

ad39397e-c19b-e41f.jpg
 
ok so how would i wire a switch? i thought about this one:

Switch Rocker Lighted Red 3 Blade, 58328-04, Cole Hersee

it goes next to the rheometer setting thingy. i like that the light tells you its status. i read antman's post on his 5th generation mod, but i'm still hazy on wiring.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/92013-antmans-thread-4.html#post813424

i like what he did to make it look oem. i don't want something to look tacky. i like your switch setup too. any help is greatly appreciated. just now getting into some small mods...not sure what took me so long.
 
I use these guys for 12volt switches. They have whatever a lot of different stuff. Look for a SPST(single pole single toggle) switch. Or just pick up one like you posted. Yours is rated to 25amps which is plenty for anything you will plug into your 12v socket.

http://www.otrattw.com/

On a lighted 3 blade you will have(from
Left to right on the diagram)..

1) a positive wire comming from the battery to the switch.
2) a positive wire going to your socket and then to a ground (like a bolt that is connected to metal)
3) a ground wire to another bolt.


Like this...

616437a9-cc9a-8d44.jpg


Sorry for the terrible diagram, sharpie on paper towels is pretty hard to work with.
 
See if I understand this:

I can tap into any positive wire (like the unused cigarette lighter in the center console) and run that to the first pole. Then the second pole will be connected to the 12v socket, and the other wire from the socket will go to a ground point. Number three is self explanatory.

Thanks for your help!!!
 
I believe so, I haven't used OEM Toyota switches before (they are expensive!) but if someone can provide you with the diagram for the switch you buy it will be easy.

I'm not one hundred percent sure which positive wire you are talking about but most of them are only hot during certain situations, like ignition on/off. I usually run mine off the battery to make sure I'm not going to over load any circuits. Maybe someone else could provide you with the cig socket diagram and tell you if it could handle the load and turn on when you want it to.
 
I have a diagram for the Toyota switch (it's in that link on my previous post), and I also have one for the cigarette outlet. I know it can handle the load (only to charge cell phones). I was just wondering if it's possible. The Toyota switch has the relay for the inverter which I'm not hooking up.

My only concern would be where to hook everything up. Would the extra 12v socket attach to wires #3 and 4 per the 115v mod? I know how to get to the rheostat power but not sure about position #6
 
matthewkristof said:
I have a diagram for the Toyota switch (it's in that link on my previous post), and I also have one for the cigarette outlet. I know it can handle the load (only to charge cell phones). I was just wondering if it's possible. The Toyota switch has the relay for the inverter which I'm not hooking up.

My only concern would be where to hook everything up. Would the extra 12v socket attach to wires #3 and 4 per the 115v mod? I know how to get to the rheostat power but not sure about position #6
Click to expand...


A/V1 said:
6. is the power "in" from ignition circuit for the "on" lamp
5. (not used)
4. The switch switches ground in this application. This is the wire for the inverter relay which gets the ground through the switch
3. is the ground for the the inverter relay and "on" lamp,
2. illumination ground (through the rheostat)
1. illumination power
Click to expand...

616437a9-b48d-8d64.jpg


The way the switch is designed to be used is to have two hot wires, 6 and 4, that connect to a common ground that can be switched on/off.

Tab 6 will need to come from a positive wire. This is for the little light at the top that turns on with the circuit.

The 12v socket will have one power wire going to the socket from another source (the unused 12v socket power) then connect the ground wire to your switch at tab 4.

Tab 3 will just be a wire from the switch to a ground.

Hope that helps.
 
I checked out that website...great info...thanks for the link.

So for my small power consumption for charging cell phones, is a relay even necessary?
 
Tap into power from cigarette lighter in center console...wire it to the switch located near shifter knob...run wires from switch to an extender that has 2 outlets and 2 USB plugs and mount in center console. I'll then run two iPhone plugs to the center console and leave them there and another two around the trim at the floor and to the backseats for power to passengers. It'll be for cell phone charging only....I'd use the switch only when I need it.
 
I doubt you would need a relay. Just look at the specs on the extender(usually on the box) and make sure your switch and wires are rated to handle the max draw.

Sorry that took so long. I've been out of town for the past month. I'm surprised no one else has posted on here in my absence.
 
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