'Live' cigarette lighter port?

BadBoy · 08-15-2016, 11:25 AM

Has anyone rewired their cigarette lighter port so that it is always 'hot' (even if the ignition is turned off)? I'm thinking about a situation of charging a cell phone locked in the fairing glove box above it while away from the bike. Don't think that setup would drain the battery as long as nothing is plugged into it, right? Appreciate any feedback.

recumbentbob · 08-15-2016, 12:10 PM

I have a Victory with an always hot plug in the trunk it came that way. I always keep my phone plugged in sometimes 2 phones.
No problem whatsoever

Sent from my ASUS_Z00TD using Tapatalk

**JD Hog** · 08-15-2016, 12:10 PM

On my Voyager I ran an SAE battery type line into my tour pack and have multiple ends that I can plug in for charging and other uses. It is direct wired into the battery so it is always hot. I have never had any issues with this set up on this bike or others in the past.

Lumberjack · 08-15-2016, 12:41 PM

If nothing is left plugged in you won't have a problem. However, if you forget something it will kill the battery. Better solution is to make it idiot proof and wire a relay to a switch so you can make it hot when you want

I have a volt meter and realized it was really low when driving. I have another bike with a hot plug and left a GPS plugged in (but off) and almost didn't make it home when I realized my battery was almost dead and electrical couldn't keep up.

**JD Hog** · 08-15-2016, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lumberjack

If nothing is left plugged in you won't have a problem. However, if you forget something it will kill the battery. Better solution is to make it idiot proof and wire a relay to a switch so you can make it hot when you want

I have a volt meter and realized it was really low when driving. I have another bike with a hot plug and left a GPS plugged in (but off) and almost didn't make it home when I realized my battery was almost dead and electrical couldn't keep up.

Yes, that can be a concern if something is left on for an extended time. I do carry a Deltran portable battery pack that works great.

http://www.motorcyclecloseouts.com/e...ble+power+pack

I bought it at Home Depot for $75.00 a year ago but they don't carry them anymore.

Update 08/25/2016: I was at Home Depot and they have these back on the shelf and they are still $75.00.

VulcanE · 08-15-2016, 04:26 PM

I put a duel 3 amp USB charger in my trunk earlier this year, and since it glows blue when it has power to it, I wired it up to switched power.

**ringadingh** · 08-15-2016, 05:53 PM

When I installed the lighter in my fairing I wired it direct to the battery so it would always be live.

**Sabre-t** · 08-15-2016, 08:27 PM

I would isolate it from the rest of the aux power system and make sure it is fused close to the battery. Isolating it leaves the rest of the aux power connectors switched, which could be useful. Fusing it is a must for safety of the bike's electrical and your phone.

duffy · 08-15-2016, 11:23 PM

I hook a jumper cable (has a cigarette lighter adapter on the other end) to the Battery Tender connection and run it into the hard bag. I charge my phone and iPad using that. Never had any problems.

08-15-2016, 11:25 AM	#1
BadBoy Jr. Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Twin Cities, MN Posts: 23	'Live' cigarette lighter port? Has anyone rewired their cigarette lighter port so that it is always 'hot' (even if the ignition is turned off)? I'm thinking about a situation of charging a cell phone locked in the fairing glove box above it while away from the bike. Don't think that setup would drain the battery as long as nothing is plugged into it, right? Appreciate any feedback. Login or Register to Remove Ads
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08-15-2016, 12:10 PM	#2
recumbentbob Sr. Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Newburgh IN Posts: 3,404	I have a Victory with an always hot plug in the trunk it came that way. I always keep my phone plugged in sometimes 2 phones. No problem whatsoever Sent from my ASUS_Z00TD using Tapatalk __________________ VBA #01084 "A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the People to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed."
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08-15-2016, 12:10 PM	#3
JD Hog Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Placerville, CA Posts: 2,946	On my Voyager I ran an SAE battery type line into my tour pack and have multiple ends that I can plug in for charging and other uses. It is direct wired into the battery so it is always hot. I have never had any issues with this set up on this bike or others in the past. __________________ Jim Diebolt 2015 Vulcan 1700 Voyager ABS The Black Kaw 2005 Vulcan Nomad Sold 2006 Honda 1800 VTX (Freebie) Sold 2008 Harley Ultra Classic Sold 2001 Harley Ultra Classic Sold Hangtown, Kalifornia VBA #2625
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08-15-2016, 04:26 PM	#6
VulcanE Sr. Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Cartersville, Georgia Posts: 4,838	I put a duel 3 amp USB charger in my trunk earlier this year, and since it glows blue when it has power to it, I wired it up to switched power. __________________ Cliff "VulcanE" Evans 2005 Blue & Silver 1600 Nomad VBA # 320 VROC # 20381
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08-15-2016, 05:53 PM	#7
ringadingh Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Newmarket Ontario Canada Posts: 35,387	When I installed the lighter in my fairing I wired it direct to the battery so it would always be live. __________________ 2002 Nomad aka Bountyhunter VBA #27 VROC #18951
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08-15-2016, 12:41 PM	#4
Lumberjack Advanced Member Join Date: Sep 2015 Posts: 542	If nothing is left plugged in you won't have a problem. However, if you forget something it will kill the battery. Better solution is to make it idiot proof and wire a relay to a switch so you can make it hot when you want I have a volt meter and realized it was really low when driving. I have another bike with a hot plug and left a GPS plugged in (but off) and almost didn't make it home when I realized my battery was almost dead and electrical couldn't keep up.
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08-15-2016, 08:27 PM	#8
Sabre-t Join Date: May 2015 Location: Marietta, GA Posts: 838	I would isolate it from the rest of the aux power system and make sure it is fused close to the battery. Isolating it leaves the rest of the aux power connectors switched, which could be useful. Fusing it is a must for safety of the bike's electrical and your phone.
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08-15-2016, 11:23 PM	#9
duffy Sr. Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Hot Springs, SD and other warm and dry places Posts: 1,043	I hook a jumper cable (has a cigarette lighter adapter on the other end) to the Battery Tender connection and run it into the hard bag. I charge my phone and iPad using that. Never had any problems.
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