12v outlets always on

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

PatDTN

Full Access Member
Joined
Jul 5, 2016
Posts
602
Reaction score
421
I've been considering switching one of the outlets to switched power in my 2009 Tahoe. I think the smart way is to add a relay to switch the existing power feed. Then you just need something from the radio to trigger the relay.
 

mikez71

Full Access Member
Joined
Mar 9, 2023
Posts
1,371
Reaction score
1,612
No need for relay, 10A run/crank source in your MBEC

Check this listing for pinouts


Have heard you can modify one of the other MBEC plugs if you want to snag one from the junkyard.
 

PatDTN

Full Access Member
Joined
Jul 5, 2016
Posts
602
Reaction score
421
No need for relay, 10A run/crank source in your MBEC

Check this listing for pinouts


Have heard you can modify one of the other MBEC plugs if you want to snag one from the junkyard.
Interesting but I have a bunch of relays and if the power for the outlets fails I'll look for the right fuse.
 

Malii Denali

TYF Newbie
Joined
Jan 26, 2023
Posts
21
Reaction score
16
Location
Boston
I have a bluetooth adapter connected to my Aux jack. I would like it to go off, so that my Audible audiobooks dont keep playing silently as I walk away from the car... that has happened.

I had a bluetooth head unit in the old car, and I will be swapping to a newer head unit on this tahoe eventually... But I also like the idea of my magsafe mount not being powered up all the time, and i am way to forgetful to remember to unplug it each time. I would also use that key switched circuit to power my dash cam, I had one in the old car which used a capacitor instead of a LION batt. it was on switched power and just came on when i started the car.

There are sometimes stretches of 3 or 4 days where i work from home, and never go out and start the car. I dont want my accessories to be the reason why my battery is dead. that has totally happened to me in the not-so-distant past

somebody farther up the thread linked a power adapter that has a RAP circuit, and a battery power circuit. That combined with a simple relay would totally solve the problem. I just need to get it done.
Makes sense
 

BG1988

Full Access Member
Joined
Nov 14, 2018
Posts
2,956
Reaction score
1,347
I've been considering switching one of the outlets to switched power in my 2009 Tahoe. I think the smart way is to add a relay to switch the existing power feed. Then you just need something from the radio to trigger the relay.
just buy a switched cig plug no chopping wires
 

hillstrubl

Member
Joined
May 11, 2024
Posts
58
Reaction score
48
Ah, just noticing this in my 2011, I wish they were switched. I have a dash cam that is designed to turn on and off with the ignition. - I was seeing on another board (from a later generation vehicle though) that a fuse can be moved from 1 position to another to change from constant on to switched, not sure if that's the case for my GMT900 though.
 
Last edited:

j91z28d1

Full Access Member
Joined
Feb 28, 2022
Posts
3,097
Reaction score
3,826
Ah, just noticing this in my 2011, I wish they were switched. I have a dash cam that is designed to turn on and off with the ignition. - I was seeing on another board (from a later generation vehicle though) that a fuse can be moved from 1 position to another to change from constant on to switched, not sure if that's the case for my GMT900 though.


Yes, this works and is the easiest way, no wire cutting, no relays to buy and if you want to go back just remove 2 fuse taps in the under hood box.

it's very commonly done on the corvette boards, but somehow not used at all on other cars.

I did it one day out of boredom and slight annoyance of unplugging blue tooth adapters.

here's a write up to explain it, just look up the fuse locations for your truck, it's in the under hood box but same idea. you get one port switched and one constant.


 

Geotrash

Dave
Supporting Member
Joined
Feb 16, 2018
Posts
6,435
Reaction score
15,959
Location
Richmond, VA
Yes, this works and is the easiest way, no wire cutting, no relays to buy and if you want to go back just remove 2 fuse taps in the under hood box.

it's very commonly done on the corvette boards, but somehow not used at all on other cars.

I did it one day out of boredom and slight annoyance of unplugging blue tooth adapters.

here's a write up to explain it, just look up the fuse locations for your truck, it's in the under hood box but same idea. you get one port switched and one constant.


How did I not know this?!? Going to try it out because I have a dashcam that I'd like to have switched power for, too.
 

hillstrubl

Member
Joined
May 11, 2024
Posts
58
Reaction score
48
Why not hijack the wiper tap to just trigger a relay installed nearby, then have the following taps.
(see pic) you could install the whole thing just alongside the fusebox and almost zero additional load goes on the wiper circuit and the original fuse size is retained for the cig lighter

1716174153862.png
 

Forum statistics

Threads
132,366
Posts
1,866,807
Members
96,989
Latest member
Mreedini
Top