Is this true for car lighter socket?

[E-Jazz]

Hi bros,

 

Just want to find out whether this is true:

 

My mobile phone holder has a power cable connected to it directly. This cable gets its power from the lighter socket.

 

I have come across reading that when parking overnight, don't leave the power cable in the lighter socket as it will continue to drain battery life of the car. Is this really true?

[Dafansu]

Hi bros,

 

Just want to find out whether this is true:

 

My mobile phone holder has a power cable connected to it directly. This cable gets its power from the lighter socket.

 

I have come across reading that when parking overnight, don't leave the power cable in the lighter socket as it will continue to drain battery life of the car. Is this really true?

 

once you off your engine it wont works

[E-Jazz]

once you off your engine it wont works

 

 

Meaning to say, once engine is off, power is cut off and leaving the power cable plugged in the socket will not have any effect on the battery of the car?

[Beei]

Meaning to say, once engine is off, power is cut off and leaving the power cable plugged in the socket will not have any effect on the battery of the car?

 

You are right.. In fact, for newer cars, once you off the engine, most electric equipment have their power cut off, except maybe the high beam and brake light..

[Tinydog]

Not true. All electronics in the market, no matter how advanced it is, will discharge a battery(although it is very slow) even though it is in an off state. This is also known as standby power required by the electronics. Think about this, why is it that if you leave a car untouched for weeks will not be able to start? It all boils down to how good/bad the battery and electronics are. To effective minimize the battery discharging, i would think the best way is to disconnect the battery cables from the car itself.

[SimonTan]

People talking about the 12V cirgrette socket having zero current when your switch off your car key.

The relay will disconnect the 12V socket in most cars. So the charger plugged in will not charge the phone nor will it drain the battery FROM this socket with the charger plugged in!

 

But your are talking about the alarm, keyless entry, ECU, etc standby power when you switch off the car key. Yes, there will be some drain on the car even when key off for these essential car function.

 

[SupperTime]

Hi bros,

 

Just want to find out whether this is true:

 

My mobile phone holder has a power cable connected to it directly. This cable gets its power from the lighter socket.

 

I have come across reading that when parking overnight, don't leave the power cable in the lighter socket as it will continue to drain battery life of the car. Is this really true?

 

no drain and i have had a transformer in the socket for some time now.

[Ehchang8]

Not true. All electronics in the market, no matter how advanced it is, will discharge a battery(although it is very slow) even though it is in an off state. This is also known as standby power required by the electronics. Think about this, why is it that if you leave a car untouched for weeks will not be able to start? It all boils down to how good/bad the battery and electronics are. To effective minimize the battery discharging, i would think the best way is to disconnect the battery cables from the car itself.

not all electronics lah. it depends on the power switch. if it is a mechanical switch that open up the power line, then it won't drain. if it is solid state type of switch, then yes, it will drain very little power.

 

think it's alright to leave the mobile phone holder plugged. it should not drain any power from battery, even if it does, it's negligible.

[Esppppp]

Hi bros,

 

Just want to find out whether this is true:

 

My mobile phone holder has a power cable connected to it directly. This cable gets its power from the lighter socket.

 

I have come across reading that when parking overnight, don't leave the power cable in the lighter socket as it will continue to drain battery life of the car. Is this really true?

 

 

I guess it depends on what car. My previous Focus does continue to supply power, een though engine is off.

[Joseph22]

its better to plug out anything from the lighter socket in case of energy leakage. infact, its also advicable to switch off the aircon after you park the car. my father ever kenna before, aircon suddenly work and next day, car battery gone.

[Zniper]

yup, off engine dan cut off power to the socket liao...

[Comnao]

my w124 still has electrical supply. i also got use ciggy charger connected to phone.

my e39 doesnt. cut off once i pull the key out

[E-Jazz]

its better to plug out anything from the lighter socket in case of energy leakage. infact, its also advicable to switch off the aircon after you park the car. my father ever kenna before, aircon suddenly work and next day, car battery gone.

 

I see. I won't say I am glad to learn about this as it isn't really a good thing that happen, but I would say I appreciate your sharing of personal experiences that your father went through. Thanks.

 

 

my w124 still has electrical supply. i also got use ciggy charger connected to phone.

my e39 doesnt. cut off once i pull the key out

 

I see. My power cord have a green light. For my car, when I start engine, the light does come on, when I off the engine, the light goes off. So I assume it is most likely cut off from power.

 

 

To the rest who replied this thread:

 

I really appreciate the time/effort you guys take to read through my questions, given that you guys are replying so fast, it makes this community a supportive one in my opinion. So a big thanks to all bros/sis.

 

Personally, the fact that there is metal contact still worries me since there are no switches. Even in HDB flats, when we turn off the switch itself, the current still run within the wirings in the socket. Thus this explains my worries.

 

Overall, thanks for replying me everyone. Appreciate it.

[Yeobh]

Yes most of the car cigarette socket are wire "hot" that means even with the ignition keep in off position there is electrical current flow.

[E-Jazz]

Yes most of the car cigarette socket are wire "hot" that means even with the ignition keep in off position there is electrical current flow.

 

I see, thanks Yeobh. =)

 

 

Well I do believe most of the bros/sis mentioned that it could be cut off in some cars and some may still have current which are negligible. So at the end of the day, i think its individual decision for this in a way.

 

Thanks =)

[Rustyvinyl]

my AD told me to unplug them when engine is off when i sent iin for servicing .

i also doubted this theory....

 

[Dafansu]

i have 4 devices plugged into the same socket via a multi- adapter, no need to worry. Been doing this for past 6 years for the same car

Edited September 13, 2010 by Dafansu

[E-Jazz]

my AD told me to unplug them when engine is off when i sent iin for servicing .

i also doubted this theory....

 

 

I see, perhaps for safety reason. Thanks for sharing =)

 

 

 

i have 4 devices plugged into the same socket via a multi- adapter, no need to worry. Been doing this for past 6 years for the same car

 

 

Hi Dafansu, mind if I know what car you are driving?

 

Thanks