The Original i30 Owners Club

MODIFYING OR DETAILING YOUR I30 => ELECTRICAL | ELECTRONIC | AUDIO => Topic started by: jayansworld on July 18, 2016, 09:25:15

Title: Change cigarette lighter to always on
Post by: jayansworld on July 18, 2016, 09:25:15

I recently bought a dashcam that has a function which automatically records video if it detects movement. Due to this feature I need a cigarette lighter which doesn't shut off with when the key is removed. The dash cam in question has a battery discharge prevention feature plus I'll manually unplug the dashcam overnight so there is no issue with the battery dying. I'm wondering how I can set one of the front cig lighters to be always live? I've searched google and can't find a suitable answer.

Title: Re: Change cigarette lighter to always on
Post by: Phil №❶ on July 18, 2016, 10:33:03

You need a circuit diagram and move the feed for the cig lighter and fuse to a live point. Do not omit the fuse. Add a 2nd fuse of the correct rating for your camera. The cig fuse is way too powerful to protect the camera, but if it is required to supply cig lighter current, the circuit will still be safe.

Title: Re: Change cigarette lighter to always on
Post by: The Gonz on July 18, 2016, 12:36:07

 :whsaid:

You'll notice some of your fuses are direct feed from the battery and some only via the ignition. You can make the change across the fuse contacts within the fuse box itself or via extra cabling. :goodjob:

Title: Re: Change cigarette lighter to always on
Post by: cruiserfied on July 18, 2016, 13:33:38

I would recommend installing a standalone circuit from the battery for this purpose. Rather than cutting and joining wires or jumping wires.

Title: Re: Change cigarette lighter to always on
Post by: rustynutz on July 18, 2016, 13:47:36

This thread might be of use:  :)

:link: Powering screen-mounted videocam from map lights (https://i30ownersclub.com/forum/index.php?topic=9948.msg175555#msg175555)

Title: Re: Change cigarette lighter to always on
Post by: Shambles on July 18, 2016, 14:16:09

Quote from: rustynutz on July 18, 2016, 13:47:36

This thread might be of use:  :)

:link: Powering screen-mounted videocam from map lights (https://i30ownersclub.com/forum/index.php?topic=9948.msg175555#msg175555)

Not quite, as the power to the roof gets dropped after around 10 mins. But good thinking :)

Title: Re: Change cigarette lighter to always on
Post by: rustynutz on July 19, 2016, 02:42:56

Cheers Steve..
Must be a GD only thing then as I've just left mine on for half an hour to test it and it's still on...  :undecided:

Title: Re: Change cigarette lighter to always on
Post by: Shambles on July 19, 2016, 07:59:29

Quote from: rustynutz

Must be a GD only thing then ...

More than likely.

In my FD I had to unclip my dashcam from the overhead power otherwise it'd be on forever. In my GD I can leave it coupled up as I know it'll power itself off after 10 mins or so.

Title: Re: Change cigarette lighter to always on
Post by: h20melon on July 20, 2016, 07:41:14

Yeah FD the roof lights near the rearview mirror always have power.  I linked in a cig. lighter socket in the roof space (after pulling out the light assembly) and plugged in the dashcam's adapter into it.  I also ran a switch through to between the light assembly and the head lining to switch the socket fully off when not needed.

Some places I park I leave the camera on and some cases it has been left on all weekend in the garage as I had forgotten to turn it off :(

Title: Re: Change cigarette lighter to always on
Post by: alexandru79 on May 09, 2017, 10:14:39

same problem for me.how did you manage this?

Title: Re: Change cigarette lighter to always on
Post by: Phil №❶ on May 09, 2017, 10:33:58

Easy to do, but big danger of flat battery depending on device(s) connected.  :exclaim: