Hi all

I have just recently plugged a dashcam into my center console accesories socket which I discovered only last week on my 2005 RX8.

Today I go to start my car and the batteries flat.

I had always assumed the lighter/acc sockets in a car are off when the ignition is off? I have read elsewhere on this forum that the center console socket still provides power when the ignition is off as it's always live?

Is this correct?

I do not see a light on the socket lighter adapter for the dashcam so I assumed it was off, but is there a constant trickle charge voltage at this socket?

If so it explains my drained battery.

The only other device I have plugged into the car is my Xtool IOBD2 diag tool, but I would not have thought that would be drawing much if any current when the ignition is off.

I am tending to think it is the center console thats the cause of my problem. The reason being I had the dashcam originally plugged into the dash lighter socket and have not had a drained battery until now..............

Any ides much appreciated.

Cheers

 

Update

I checked my center console for a current feed when ignition is off and there is nothing there.

I checked my IOBD2 and it was quite warm, so I feel the IOBD2 is drawiing current when left plugged into the car with ignition off. It is most likely the WIFI looking for devices to connect to.

Shame you can't leave it plugged in, but I would rather not have to deal with flat battery all the time.

 

On my series2, the cigarette lighter plug in the ash tray is keyed. (turns off with the key) The accessory socket in the console has constant power with key on or off. I assume its the same for you = normal. No problem.

It was convenient for me once when my house lost power due to a storm for almost a week. I was able to charge my cell phone without running the car.

Not sure how much power your device requires, but you should be able to leave something in all night, I did with my phone, And not kill the car battery. Whens the last time you had the battery checked? It may be time for a new one.

 

They must have changed it in the series 2 as I don't have any power available in my center console socket with key off in my series 1.

I checked it with a meter and there is no current there with key off.

Why would they change this from one series to the next? weird.

 

I reread your 2nd post. It is normal for the obd2 plug to have constant power. Every car is like that. Its so you can power a scan tool with key/engine off to monitor systems on ignition and start up.

Handy also when you use a memory saver when changing the battery. Critical when changing the battery in certain Toyotas with ecu reset problems. And cars with anti-theft radio codes.