I'm wondering if it's possible to get the cigarette lighter and/or 12v power source to turn on/off with the ignition instead of being hot all the time. I usually have my radar detector plugged into one and cell-phone charger plugged into the other, and don't like having to pull them both out every time I turn off the truck.

Any ideas?

Thanks

 

i ran a 12v plug in my glovebox for my radar detector/gps for that same reason and didnt want to hack the factory wiring. just ran a relay and hooked a positive to a fuse that turns on and off with the key.

 

This is probably what I'll have to do. Did you put two 12v plugs in the glovebox, one for the radar detector and another for GPS? What fuse/wires should I tap into so that it will turn on/off with the key?

 

as long as you find one that shuts on and off with the key it doesnt matter...IF you run a relay kit with the main juice coming straight from the battery. i just used one with a splitter coming outta of it.

 

Sounds like your covered with the above posts but as always I like to add some.

Check the capacity of the Cig-Lighter and the 12V Power Sockets and setup a relay circuit, fused for the lowest/max amperage of the sockets, (i.e. fuse, wire, relay and sockets all have to be rated for max current).
Run a fused line from the battery to a relay pin 30 and from pin 87 on the relay, run a wire to one of the sockets and daisy chain the other.
Make sure that each of the components you plug in has their own fuse rated for that component.
To active the Relay, use a probe and find a location on the Main Circuit Panel that has power when the ignition is both in the on position or in the Accessory position, run a jumper wire from that location to pin 86 on the relay and ground pin 85.
Double check the grounds for both sockets, making sure they are good solid grounding points.

Thinking out loud here so take it for what it is worth to you.

ltr

 

You should install a toggle switch its easy to install and wire up and toggle switchs are ceap as hell

 

True, but after seeing a few ghetto rigged electrical systems (I'm also guilty of doing that it the past), it's much safer to go the relay route as well as having it fused. I'm now pretty religious on relays and fuses when doing any aftermarket wiring. Just sharing some tips that I found out about the hard way.

 

You could use one of those piggy-back fuse taps on one of your existing switched fuses and simply remove the lighter fuse and run the hot lead of the fuse tap and plug it into the unpowered leg of the lighter fuse slot (after putting the right size spade terminal on it) . if you change your mind just unplug it and put a fuse back into the slot and it's back to the way you started.