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XplusYplusZ

Member Since: 16 Aug 2021
Location: UK
Posts: 415

12V socket - Will it draw charge whilst off?

I'm sick of my rear passengers not having any charging capabilities, so plugging in an Aukey double usb-c adapter in one of my c-pillar 12v sockets. (Quite why they gave me 3 12v sockets in the boot but none in the back seat bank I don't know..).

When I plugged the adapter in, with the engine off, a reassuring blue power light lit up to confirm the adapter had power.

But I have heard of stories of people experiencing problems with battery drain whilst the cars switched off.. and it got me fretting.

Does anybody know if the 12v sockets draw power even if the car is turned off and locked?

Cheers

10th Feb 2023 9:10am

geobloke

Member Since: 06 Nov 2012
Location: Nottinghamshire
Posts: 4395

If there is a light then yes it will be drawing power. The only way to know how much is to test the current being drawn and deciding whether that is too much for the battery.

10th Feb 2023 9:52am

Nick-St

Member Since: 23 Apr 2013
Location: Surrey
Posts: 267

2013 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 USW Corris Grey

It may also turn off when the car goes to sleep… (See the Powerful UK battery videos on YouTube)

10th Feb 2023 1:30pm

custom90

Member Since: 21 Jan 2010
Location: South West, England.
Posts: 19569

If you want 12v socket supply whilst off, it must not have any LED or pilot light on it or it will drain all by itself.
It must be without illumination, and also likely needs wiring back to batter and fused in-line near the battery or suitable near junction box and fusing with a permanent 12v supply with ignition off.
Bluesea 12v sockets are ideal.
But must not be illuminated otherwise you’ll get parasitic battery drain.

If you really did want illumination whilst also having a permanent 12v supply with car shut off.
Then you’d need the illumination separately wired for ignition on only or with lights and interior light or similar arrangement. Obviously then the illumination would go off at rest but 12v supply would still be present.

Diesel$ Live$ Matter. ⛽️🛢️👨‍🔧🧰⚙️ RED, WHITE & BOOST! 🇬🇧

11th Feb 2023 12:44am

Balvaig

Member Since: 19 Feb 2016
Location: Fife
Posts: 719

2016 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 Landmark LE Corris Grey

Surely any USB outlet connected to the 12 v socket will have a permanent current draw, unless the vehicle switches off the 12 v circuit.
USB outlets convert the 12 v to 5 v using a circuit board which is not switchable and will be permanently on. A marker light will add slightly to the draw.

I think it is these circuit boards that are in short supply.

11th Feb 2023 9:50am

custom90

Member Since: 21 Jan 2010
Location: South West, England.
Posts: 19569

Yes, if it’s USB. Then perhaps a maul switch maybe useful instead but could be easily left on by accident.
OR use 12v socket and just plug in a USB Dalit into it only when required. Diesel$ Live$ Matter. ⛽️🛢️👨‍🔧🧰⚙️ RED, WHITE & BOOST! 🇬🇧

11th Feb 2023 12:34pm

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