Looking for a Constant 12V power supply, or change lighter to always on

[Mescolito]

After searching for a good place to tap into a constant 12V power source in my 2001 E320 Wagon, I got all excited when I saw this thread:

Cigarette lighter power always on? - MBWorld.org Forums

It took going out to the car and searching in the fuse before I realized that the thread was for a W211.

Does anyone know if there is a way to change the cigarette lighter to "always on", instead of switched with the key? (I'm specifically looking for a similar way to make this happen, i.e. fuse in different position as described in the above thread, NOT looking to rewire the lighter power source.)

Or, any suggestions on locations to pull a "constant on" 12V source from inside? (for small amperage stuff, like cell phone or GPS charging, etc.)

Thanks for your time.

TC

[Kajtek1]

Don't wagons have rear power socket that is always on?

[Mescolito]

Yes and No.

Yes, there is a power supply in the aft part of the wagon,
No, it is not always on, only when the key is in position 1 or 2.

I wish it was always on as well.

[mbvis]

Following the "Engineered like no other car in the world" slogan, my belief has been that MB engineers had their logical reasons for everything they did in designing the car.
For the switched cigarette lighter, safety might be one reason, Don't-smoke-don't-drive may be another.

[Kajtek1]

Cars are not design to be a power source.
Our Audi has the socket power on all the time. Each time I plug the radar detector in it -I have to remember to pull the plug at least for the night. Pretty annoying.
There is always hot wire going to the radio if you want to dig there.
On sedan I was able to find always hot wire in the rear CD changer area, that I used for trailer lights.
Than making spade connection in fuse box and connect the existing fuse to always hot rail shouldn't be a big job as well.

[Mescolito]

I had just hoped it would be as easy as it is in the newer Benzs', having the lighter power either switched or constant, depending on how the fuse is placed in the fuse box.

Either way, I totally agree, safety first, which is why I'll put a fuse inline when I pull from the hot battery bus under the rear seat and route the wire up front.

Thanks for the replies and suggestions.

TC

P.S. Kajtek1, if you're up to doing a little splicing, you can get a power plug adaptor with a lighted switch on it, that way, you could just switch it off rather than plugging and unplugging the adaptor for your radar detector. (I think I got mine at Radio Shack).

[Franasia]

Originally Posted by mbvis

Following the "Engineered like no other car in the world" slogan, my belief has been that MB engineers had their logical reasons for everything they did in designing the car.
For the switched cigarette lighter, safety might be one reason, Don't-smoke-don't-drive may be another.

Switched cigarette lighter is a US spec only feature. It's probably due to legal liability stuff, same thing with ugly door pins. Global spec cars get always on lighters and flush door pins.

Taking advantage of battery inside passenger compartment it should be easy to modify lighters to always on running a separate fused line with proper gauge wire.

Cheers

[mbvis]

Don't modify the switched cigarette lighter if you have small children in the household or small children visiting because some day, you will find a dime or a few pennies dropped inside. It can be worse if they stick their finger inside.

[eLighters]

Let's make search on Google, you will definitely find the best answer of your query.