Thread: Constant 12v socket?

Originally Posted by DrOsteo

Sorry if a stupid question but what is a piggyback fuse?

check out this thread http://www.aulro.com/afvb/discovery-...-supply-2.html

You can now get them in NARVA blister packs at your favorite auto shop....

There is an unused connector under the steering column for shift interlock in other markets. One of its wires is constant 12V, another is on the acc or reds circuit. Dunno what sort of amps they can handle though.

Originally Posted by onebob

I have two in my 99 D2 ......... I installed them myself and connected them direct to the cranking battery via an inline 20amp fuse.

^^^ That's the best way to do it, splicing into an existing fused circuit might blow that fuse or melt the wiring if the socket is used for some load while the original circuit's load is active too, the only strong enough circuit to take the accessories too without probs IMO it's the ignition switch's feed(brown wire in pin 1 of the large brown connector in the front right side of the interior fusebox C0028), there you can splice in safely with a 20A fused lead to connect the cigar ligter and accessory socket's existing wiring.

I don't know it the OP was particularly looking for a constantly powered lighter socket or just looking for a constant power source for something else.
If for a lighter specifically, then I would not power it from any existing circuit - go direct to battery.

My father's D2 keeps going flat as it is rarely driven except to tow his boat. As such my OP was to find a 12v socket that he could plug a 5W solar panel (which would rest on dash - car is outdoors facing the right direction) in to in order to keep his battery from draining.
He is not at all technically minded (hence a cigarette lighter socket would be easy plug and play).