Has anyone tried modifying the wiring to have a 12v outlet that stays on even when the car is off? I cannot bring a cell phone into the building at work, and routinely come out to a dead phone. Ignoring the 'turn it off during the day' solution (calls will go to dial-in VM rather than visual VM), I'd like to find a way to have power when the car is off. Is this a matter of just going to a different fuse, or would it novolve running a wire/fuse directly to a battery terminal, bypassing the fuse box?

 

Some of the fuses are always hot. Read this thread: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...not-fuses.html

 

I wouldn't bother running directly to the battery.

Here's a neat solution someone did in a Saab with two Add-A-Circuits. Basically connected the cig adapter fuse to an always-on fuse. The "Hot or Not" sticky in the electrical forums lists which fuses are always-on.

Otherwise, you use the Add-A-Circuit to "hardwire" a new cig adapter like this and hide it in your glovebox or where-ever. This screw visible to the left of the glovebox when opened makes a good ground.

Don't forget to get the right size Add-A-Circuit depending on what fuse you use (mini vs regular size).

 

I just hard-wired a triple cigarette lighter using an add-a-circuit and by mistake the fuse I used was always hot (F21 in the 09 S fuse panel) instead of F23 (turns off after 30 minutes). So yes, it can be done

 

does doing this cause the battery to go dead after some time?

 

Yes. If something is plugged into a hot socket while the car is off the battery will eventually drain. How fast depends on what is plugged in.

Rich

 

but if it is not plugged in everything is cool? is it possible to get a larger battery, something that will handle a lap top for a longer time?
thanks