Is there any way to make the 12V lighter outlets, in the center by the cup holders and in the back on the left hand side, always on even without the ignition on? I hate how they shut off every time I shut the car off... I use them often for GPS and/or computer and often have the car off but still wanting that power source.

 

Easy enough to do, you just need to disconnect the sockets from switched power and run wires to a constant 12v source. Depending on the current draw from your GPS or (especially) your computer, you might want to run a fused lead directly from the battery to the sockets, rather than depending on a fusebox connection for the power.
More than half the battle will be removing all the necessary parts/panels, and physically running the wires. A car audio shop would have no problems doing this, if you'd rather not do it yourself.

Scott

 

Check out the 'Electrical Modifications' forum. This thread should help you out.

 

Thanks guys! And yes my Panasonic laptop sucks power like no other, but having the GPS on all the time is more of what i'm after.

 

imho, our MINI's drain power too much even with the car powered down.
i would not wire up something that would drain even faster unless you
wire up a deep cycle battery.

 

Your probably right Ken.

 

If you have the Euro Parcel Shelf, you could add a selector switch to swap between constant power and "key on" power. Power can be had easily from the fusebox with an "Add a Circuit" and MINIs are pretty easy and straightforward to pull panels to run wires.

Rawhyde