Silly Question - Arm Rest Console Cig Lighter/Footwell LEDs

[Fayvir]

Hey,
I have a question with the cig lighter in the arm rest console...might be stupid question, but I couldn't find an answer to it.

So I currently have my footwell leds wired to the arm rest console, with a switch to turn them on/off.
I connected the wiring through an extension plug, didn't tap into any wiring under the cig lighter.

So if I want to leave the plug in, will it drain the battery? I know that cig lighter is on 24/7, so I'm curious if I actually have to pull out the plug every time I leave my car or can I leave it plugged it and just turn off the lights with my switch.

Thanks!

[peterm15]

Cig lighters arent on 24/7
If the key is in the off posisition ( or not in) there shouldnt be power running to cig lighter or the AUX power.

[bluntman]

The cigarette lighter is on a switched circuit which means that power will only be supplied to that circuit if the key is in the ACC or ON position; in other words, you're fine.

[Fayvir]

That's not true...because when I turn off my car, pull the key out. I can still plug in my lights, and turn them on, no problems. This is only true for the cig lighter in the arm rest console. (I just tried it)

The cig lighter in the front dash is the one with power ONLY when car is in ACC or ON.

[cwp_sedan]

Maybe 2010+ are a different setup than the 04-09, because the pre-2010s definitely do not have power to the cig/12v plugs all the time.

[peterm15]

^+1
my aux power in the armrest definatly does not have power when the car is off, nor the lighter.
I know this because my GPS beeps and says external power off when i unplug or turn off the car.
im in an 07.

so if your car is off the footwells stay on ( when switch is on)?

[Fayvir]

Maybe 2010+ are a different setup than the 04-09, because the pre-2010s definitely do not have power to the cig/12v plugs all the time.


^+1
my aux power in the armrest definatly does not have power when the car is off, nor the lighter.
I know this because my GPS beeps and says external power off when i unplug or turn off the car.
im in an 07.

so if your car is off the footwells stay on ( when switch is on)?

Yeah, it stays on, unless I press the on/off button on my switch. The thing is, I don't know if it's still drawing power (draining the battery), since it's still plugged in.

I think it is different for 2010+ models.
I guess you can look at it...is if you plug in a cellphone charger, with the car on, but not plugging in the phone, is the charger still drawing power? Its kinda similar..but if someone has an answer to my original question - that'd be great.

[Skippy]

No your not going to drain your battery by leaving them plugged in. Leaving them on, well that's a different story. Switch open(or in the "off" position) no current draw, your good to go:)

[Fayvir]

No your not going to drain your battery by leaving them plugged in. Leaving them on, well that's a different story. Switch open(or in the "off" position) no current draw, your good to go:)

Okay awesome, so i dont always have to worry about leaving the plug in then. As long as the lights aren't on, then i should be fine. Wouldnt want to wake up to a dead battery in the morning. The "off" position you mean, is the switch that controls the lights, right? Not the ignition.

[Skippy]

Correct, the switch that controls your led lights.

[Fayvir]

Correct, the switch that controls your led lights.

Thanks!

And thank you everyone else for their input. :)