Thread: Constant 12v socket?

Unfortunately factory fitted sockets are only ignition live none is permannent

Replace relay R101 (Auxilliary circuits) with a jumper to make the sockets permanently live.

Thanks Graeme. Can you please elaborate on exactly how to do this and what a jumper is?

Sorry to disagree but that move with auxiliary relay bridged beside the permannent live sockets might drain the battery cos it will keep many other circuits live also the worst scenario is that it might burn out the IDM which is not conceived to be under power with ignition off... if you want the sockets live the best is to rewire them through a fuse to a live circuit IMO

Sorry, but I disagree with you for 2 reasons. Firstly I had the relay bridged on both my MY99 and MY03 spanning 10 years without any adverse effects and secondly supplying power to a device that has its earth switched by an electronic module does not have the capability to power that module. The only effect is that some facilities may be available to be switched on with the ignition off that were not previously able to be switched on.

AFAIR there are some constant live fuses in the in cabin fuse box.
One that comes to mind is the seat power fuse.
You can tap into that circuit with a piggyback fuse and Voila .


Regards Philip A

Originally Posted by Graeme

... I had the relay bridged on both my MY99 and MY03 spanning 10 years without any adverse effects...

I can't contradict your own experience and i'm glad it didnt have any adverse effects, also i agree with the earth path thing but i've seen with my own eyes burnt IDM due to stuck auxiliary relay, though i can't guarantee that it wasnt a coincidence but the fact is that the IDM(i mean only the chip in the pic) was fried and the relay stuck closed. It depends on the enhancements too cos if it has vanity mirrors those have direct earth and feed through the auxiliary relay so is the digital clock illumination and the aerial amplifier .... ... that's why i only said "might ..."

btw isnt your clock always illuminated and radio on with bridged relay though?

The fact is that i would not risk myself to keep permannent feed on terminal 31 of the IDM as long as it wasn't supposed to have that without ignition on which will bring feed to other terminals too.

Originally Posted by PhilipA

AFAIR there are some constant live fuses in the in cabin fuse box.
One that comes to mind is the seat power fuse.
You can tap into that circuit with a piggyback fuse and Voila .


Regards Philip A

I have used the piggyback fuse aka ADD A FUSE to take accessory power off the main fuses.

....the following may help select an appropriate source:-

Fuses 24,25,27,28,30,31 are 'ignition on' power sources...

Fuses 15,16,18,19,26,32, are 'accessory on' power sources

Fuses 1,2,4,5,6,7,8,12,13,20 are 'ALWAYS powered on"