Electric Experts - How to get 12v Cig Plug "Hot" vs ACC power

[AuburnRyan]

Tired of replacing Miata Batteries do to infrequent use of my s13.

So I bought a VW Solar panel battery charger/maintainer. Then realized the plug is not hot when the car is off.

Can I easily switch this, or is the easiest way just to run some cables directly to the battery?

TIA :bigok:

[g6civcx]

Stock wiring:

Battery (+) - ignition relay - 15A - cig lighter - ground

In order to reuse the stock wiring, you have to move the 15A fuse from the ignition relay to a constant on wire.


For simplicity, I recommend buying an after market 12V cig lighter outlet and wire the outlet straight to the battery:

Battery (+) - fuse - cig lighter - ground


Or if you're cheap, figure out which wires on the charger are (+) and (-). Jumper the (+) wire to a fuse and then the battery, and (-) to ground.


FYI, I have never had a no start on my Optima yellow top and my car sits quite a bit.

[AuburnRyan]

Thanks G6civcx - Think I'll hook up a spare plug (I have one) direct as you mentioned to the battery. Pretty short and simple..

the Westco sealed AGM lasts about 2 months by my estimation, but once it's fully drained once or twice that goes downhill fast untill it only hold 9 volts or so. I have a 2 way alarm that doesn't help the draining issue... basically I let it sit too long without any use between events I go to, giving the battery about 1.5 year life...

I really need to relocate to the rear and put in a larger battery - but can never find the time with all my "to do's" on the cars...

[surreybc]

http://img169.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img0029bj0.jpg

8c

[alkemyst]

great thread, but on a S14 at the center dash, can you just cut and splice somewhere?

I haven't had time to research this, but on the rare occasion I'd love to recharge my albatross (blackberry). I am on-call every 7 weeks :(