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Always on cigarette lighter to ignition only on

Posted: Wed Jul 17, 2024 11:22 pm
by bambo
Hello,
I'd like to have my cigarette lighters on only when the vehicle is on as to not accidently leave something plugged in and discharge my starter battery. Does anybody know the best way to do this on a 2014 Chevrolet Express? Some options I've looked into involve adding a jumper wire from the engine fuse box I think its fuse 25 to another fuse that is only on with the ignition. Another option is wiring the cigarette lighter to the stereo. Both of these methods seem sus. Anybody got a better way?

Re: Always on cigarette lighter to ignition only on

Posted: Thu Jul 18, 2024 12:01 am
by MountainManJoe
Do not piggy back any circuits. Run a new fused circuit from the power stud at the fuse box. Switch it on with relay that is energized from an existing ignition powered accessory like HVAC. Use the guide in the body builder manual from gmupfitter.com.

Re: Always on cigarette lighter to ignition only on

Posted: Wed Oct 09, 2024 7:58 am
by copper128
I wanted a switched power source to run a USB outlet for my phone in the dash. After checking the upfitter manual, I found that the power supply to the in-dash 110v outlet is ignition-switched. Since it’s such a low power draw, I tapped the hot wire to the inverter. It works great and no battery drain when shut off.

I wouldn’t do this for a cigarette lighter outlet though. Just saying that if you need a phone charger outlet, you can do this as an alternative to a lighter plug.
The USB outlets are cheap on Amazon.