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THIS DISCUSSION / SOURCE-DERIVED OVERVIEW
Discussion summary
YOUR RESEARCHCigarette lighter power outlet mod? Switchable power rather than always on?
Leading reported evidence
Disconnect positive wire, no
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Suggestion
Inserting a switch between the battery and the lighter would be the same as connecting and disconnecting the positive wire, no?
Cigarette lighter power outlet mod? Switchable power rather than always on?
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Leading evidence: 'Disconnect positive wire, no' (no explicit attributable resolution; this is a reported action or suggestion). Across 1 matching discussions, The most frequently discussed action is 'Disconnect positive wire, no' (1 discussions). For that action, 0 discussions report a resolution and 0 report an unsuccessful attempt. No action has an explicit, attributable resolution report under the current rules. These are forum reports and suggestions, not a confirmed diagnosis.
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Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
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Suggestion · Original poster
I used a relay because I was not sure what load the telephone wire could handle.
Cigarette lighter power outlet mod? Switchable power rather than always on?
Use relay, and the telephone wire switchable power
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Suggestion · Original poster
I converted my cigarette lighter to switchable power using a relay, and the telephone wire switchable power to turn on and off the relay.
Cigarette lighter power outlet mod? Switchable power rather than always on?
Use switched +12v
Suggestion or failed attempt
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1
Discussions
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Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that contain suggestions
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Suggestion
I would not simply use the switched +12v from that connector to drive the cigarette lighter; I believe it's fused for less current than the lighter.
Cigarette lighter power outlet mod? Switchable power rather than always on?
Use switched +12v "phone" connector in the center stack
Suggestion or failed attempt
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
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Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that contain suggestions
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Suggestion
Use the switched +12v "phone" connector in the center stack to drive a relay; install the relay in-line before the cigarette lighter.
Cigarette lighter power outlet mod? Switchable power rather than always on?
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11 eligible posts · 0 unverified posts · 1 discussions match the subject in their title or opening post.
Rennlist: 1 discussions
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Generation: 20261026T191851Z · outcome-qualification-6. Deterministic extraction; no AI model inference. How we use sources
Is there any modification I can do to turn by cigarette lighter into a switchable power source that is only on when the ignition is on, rather than stay on even when the car is off?
On my boxster, the cigarette power used to drain my battery. I also want to keep other accessories plugged in that only turns on with the car.
Or has anyone done any other mods to add extra power outlets that comes on only when the car is on?
Use the switched +12v "phone" connector in the center stack to drive a relay; install the relay in-line before the cigarette lighter.
I would not simply use the switched +12v from that connector to drive the cigarette lighter; I believe it's fused for less current than the lighter.
This works for me, I installed the 3-socket adapter in the passenger footwell where it can be reached from the driver�s seat. The on/off switch means that I don�t have to pull it out of the socket each time I want to turn it off, and it has a voltage display as well.
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I like this idea. I will use the telephone wire to drive a relay, then use that to power a 3-socket adapter with usb ports in the passenger footwell. I normally do that with my other vehicles and mount it in the glovebox, but my 01 does not have a glovebox.
b3freak, I can not tell where this is in the car, which panel did you remove? Where is this connector located? It does not look like the center console, because I do not see a gear shifter.
Pull one of the cubbies in front of the shifter. They just snap in/out. You could mount your usb etc. in the back wall of the cubbie. There is a wired plug available to plug into the phone prep socket.
The cigarette lighter is always hot so that you can plug your trickle charger in.
I converted my cigarette lighter to switchable power using a relay, and the telephone wire switchable power to turn on and off the relay. I am loving it, now I can plug in my charger and not have to worry about it killing my battery. I am also able to hard wire in my devices in the car. Now I need to find a dash cam.
Can someone explain why a relay is needed if you want a switchable cigarette lighter? Inserting a switch between the battery and the lighter would be the same as connecting and disconnecting the positive wire, no? Assuming that the switch can handle the maximum load of 15 amps.
I used a relay because I was not sure what load the telephone wire could handle. I trust the cigarette lighter to handle greater amp than the switchable telephone 12v wire.
I was also able to piggyback off this same relay to hardwire my dash cam and radar.
