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How can I make power outlets turn off automatically?


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Infinitech
Novice
Infinitech profile image

Apr 14, 2016, 12:24 AM

Post #1 of 14 (1752 views)
  post locked   How can I make power outlets turn off automatically?  

I have a 1999 Chevy Tahoe 4 door SUV and the power outlets stay on all the time. I would like them to turn off when I turn the vehicle off. I thought this would be simple but I've been having a difficult time finding a way.

I thought there would be a switch of sorts that I could run my stereo's power through that would shut off the power to an outlet once the stereo lost power.

Basically, if line A has power, close contact for Line B, If line A loses power, open contact for Line B
----------------------
My vehicle:
1999 Chevrolet Tahoe LT
4-door 4x4
176k miles



Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Apr 14, 2016, 1:37 AM

Post #2 of 14 (1745 views)
  post locked   Re: How can I make power outlets turn off automatically?  

IDK why you are messing with power ports for a stereo when wiring is already there for the OE sound system and adaptor plugs available to just plug into that without creating a monster/nightmare out your wiring?


If altering sound system totally I suggest choosing things compatible with the vehicle first not think about it after,


T



Infinitech
Novice
Infinitech profile image

Apr 14, 2016, 10:59 AM

Post #3 of 14 (1729 views)
  post locked   Re: How can I make power outlets turn off automatically?  

Just to make sure we are on the same page here. I am not doing any stereo, or stereo related work here.

I want the 12v power outlets (The outlets you plug a phone charger into) to turn off when I turn the car off.
----------------------
My vehicle:
1999 Chevrolet Tahoe LT
4-door 4x4
176k miles



Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Apr 14, 2016, 11:31 AM

Post #4 of 14 (1720 views)
  post locked   Re: How can I make power outlets turn off automatically?  

The factory powered them to be live at all times. Any type of modification would involve running all new wires and that will get very Mickey Mouse



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Apr 14, 2016, 11:32 AM

Post #5 of 14 (1719 views)
  post locked   Re: How can I make power outlets turn off automatically?  

OK - YOU used the word stereo which conjured up a bird's nest of hacking wires for power and ground which too many people do and regret for eternity!


I too by chance have YOUR dash in a truck. Cig lighter middle and two power ports to each side with flaps that cover them - right? They ARE all empowered all the time and I don't know of a switch to alter that. I use them all but wouldn't leave even a super cheap cell phone on charge in one rather pull it back till an LED light goes out on phone's plug or remove all of it out of sight so butt heads don't see anything inside a vehicle worth busting a window over to get.
I do leave an LED voltmeter in one so I can just look at what the battery voltage is all the time, 24hrs that it's OK which draws so little not a problem if there a week and has been.


I totally agree I'd like a choice of constant power or not on the vehicle not unplugging things all the time.
If port is to charge a device (phone or what have you) I would want it off with the key and many vehicles do that like Mercedes and a Toyota Camry just by chance found this out not all designed the same.
Same page and you've hit a 12V junky for assorted stuff. I'm not sure if you can get a male to female adaptor already to just leave in the port you choose with a switch on it or would own one or more now.
I'll also do anything NOT to mess with the vehicle's power decision as I plain can't know if that is also used for some stupid memory for something else that might matter.
Short term and cheap enough is to get a wired plug to port sold now as extensions but could make one up with a household lamp turn to on or off which leaves the vehicle out of it anyway.
IDK - Have you tried an RV or marine store's site for what might do just that already neat and made?
This dash isn't quite as easy but I do put power ports as extras sold to do so on vintage to antique vehicles and twice on farm tractors that had none for silly 12V things you might use or need and can choose an existing fuse that is marked or used to be "IGN" meaning empowered with ignition only like you want.
Arggh - they used to sell fuses with a wire on them but don't do that to this as I don't like where fuse box is for that if they did.
Guess if you tolerance or a thing hanging there is OK make one with the lamp switch inline to female 12V power and let the device tell you it's on or not, NOT the vehicle.
Just do know the port should be same voltage as the vehicle meaning lower when not running and can change with load on vehicle's electrical not lower that 13ish running engine or over 15V either and the device is supposed to deal with that NOT the power ports or any I know of.
Common is the plug end of like you said, cell phone adjust volts down right at the plug to 5.5V is common.


You'll have me looking as I always check out neat 12V junk when at assorted places not just the damn web as I like to touch and feel the thing if it's junk or what dammit!
Google out Camper/RV and Marine now to save me the search. Bet you can find just what you want right now sold for just what you want,


Tom
PS: Hope I can find you if sometime I see the thing I'm thinking of in a place and be able to tell you where!



Infinitech
Novice
Infinitech profile image

Apr 14, 2016, 8:02 PM

Post #6 of 14 (1708 views)
  post locked   Re: How can I make power outlets turn off automatically?  

Yes, that sounds like the same dash.

so, what about using one of these and plugging it into an existing IGN fuse slot?
link deleted .......................... not allowed
----------------------
My vehicle:
1999 Chevrolet Tahoe LT
4-door 4x4
176k miles



(This post was edited by Hammer Time on Apr 15, 2016, 2:07 AM)


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Apr 14, 2016, 10:54 PM

Post #7 of 14 (1702 views)
  post locked   Re: How can I make power outlets turn off automatically?  

Hope that shows? Was there^^^^


Still thinking about this thing?
At a glance it gets by your say so power from a fuse box marked slot "ign" and you get a fuse HOT 12V wire to play with from the fuse box.
I generally like that for a power source that will run with the key and off with the key. What I can't know is how many amps that spot is rated for and if you did do that would 'err' to the least amp rated fuse that runs what you want probably not going over 10 amp fuse not knowing the capacity.


Good grief you don't want to burn up wiring even to the fuse box with a power supply that has to go thru it ending up at a power port you actually could try to put some wild something in like high power inverter - stereo amps, other junk that should blow a fuse and NOT empower item without harm.
It's just chance I have the same dash I think and fuse box and late now but will go look at what I might do if I wanted. I would still rather use existing power ports and make up a switch AFTER existing port already fused to wiring ability or I hope so.


I said mine is a truck meaning pick-up truck to work with not a luxo thing but has raw basics and those ports I need like anyone for charging things and like to have that silly LED volt light I can see as I don't use that truck all the time and want to know if something is wrong with full time power AND how the voltage drops when it cranks engine plus has a snow plow all electric powered that does drop voltage below norms if all lights are on, heater blasting, low RPM and operating plow can spit up a voltage warning/check gauges but want a # not the things gauge what is going on. That was factory ordered to be snow plow ready with minimal wire hacking to do that and engineered to do that.


That's what IMO you buy real trucks for yet your Tahoe is also a real truck just no doubt comfort items or more "car" like features are totally available as we both know.


Onward. I'll try to find out rating of that spot at fuse box but in the mean time would rather you plain pulled out the item you are using to cut power to it when engine is off each time and not do anything yet. I said I pull power to anything physically not by switch now.


********************************************
Side 12V Junky toys I use constantly just for fun of it posting here: Made a 12V low pressure fuel pump to transfer fuel that plugs into power ports, hose enough and an in-line filter with lamp cord switches for on off. Can empty tanks or transfer fuel any which way. Same for an air compressor - low volume enough pressure. Long 12V extension cord to magnetic flashing light required or anything else is a coiled wire extension cord.


100W inverters to power other stuff up to 100W including USB ports, household LED lighting or things with low volt requirements. One at my feet right now with all the junk mentioned reads 13V on battery maintainer which is back fed thru a clip on power port to a gel cell battery always ready and I'm in a kitchen! Yup - set up cell phones, GPS or whatever. Also have the 110 house power to 12V power port for charging things in any wall outlet.


Double male 12V power cords to back charge any 12V battery thru a power port which I use for electric start items always on auto charge maintainers - stored batteries, generators, vehicles stored or whatever.
Power can go out where I am easily so quickly have light then on to power other needed things home then automotive as needed have power on the go once (don't with most of this crap) constantly on a road call, dead vehicle, out of fuel, dead batteries, stuck in wild snow mess at night of course so can't see, shovel your way to vehicles to do whatever to move them, fix flat tires on the spot. Extra oil, antifreeze, starting fluid, portable ignition system starts anything with spark plugs! Yup - even a feisty chain saw!


This was just a thing out of a car or truck to be able to make any vehicle move if only feet to deal with a situation of whatever. Out of fuel, dead battery issues, communications (cell phone crap for me or others) always somehow dead enough? All items and more are portable to put in whatever vehicle is to be used by me for emergency road call issues - vehicle problems of multiple sorts if plain stuck.


A lot begins with access to power where this began. That and NOT draining your own battery in a vehicle or worse harm the vehicle.
Your 99 Tahoe specifically and said back up top. The fuse panel isn't in a good location to run wire to IMO as this and many other vehicles there's lots of stuff in the dash. Over your feet is receiver for remote locks and relay for them. There's also moving actuators for A/C ducts easy to break right in area too. Those are a royal pest to fix - be warned.


For the convenience of a power port shutting off power to wreck assorted stuff and wire hacking isn't worth it at all.


I haven't found the item that would plug into power port yet to do with a switch what you would like right at OE port. I'd rather ports were empowered all the time than automatically shut off with key out or ignition off if a choice and unplug items manually than vehicles made OE to shut them off such that you have nothing if no keys you are screwed. Think hard about messing with original designs that is invasive to the vehicle!!!!


Tom



Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Apr 15, 2016, 2:10 AM

Post #8 of 14 (1695 views)
  post locked   Re: How can I make power outlets turn off automatically?  

I've never seen one of those things before but it's a pretty cool idea.
It gets it's feed from the main, switched buss bar so it should work fine as long as you don't draw large amounts from it. I wouldn't put any larger than a 10 amp fuse in it as the instructions state.

  • Turns one fuse slot into two while providing protection for both circuits
  • Use with ATO fuses up to 10 amps
  • Includes 3,5,7.5 and 10 amp fuses




~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



(This post was edited by Hammer Time on Apr 15, 2016, 2:13 AM)


Infinitech
Novice
Infinitech profile image

Apr 16, 2016, 10:11 PM

Post #9 of 14 (1671 views)
  post locked   Re: How can I make power outlets turn off automatically?  

instead of using that "add-a-circuit" device. I just found this on Youtube (search for "Wiring Products - How to Wire an Automotive Relay")

connect the existing fused source for the outlet to #30 and then run a wire from #87 to the power outlet.

Then connect the fused source for the stereo to one side and connect the stereo power wire to the other side.

Now, if using the stereo power cable as the control is a bad idea. I could still use the "add-a-circuit" and run a wire for the control. (This method would remove the possibility of over loading the fuse box slot or burning up wires) Also, the original fuse for the power outlets would still control the outlets instead of the "add-a-circuit" fuse.


Sorry if this was hard to understand. it was hard to explain :P
----------------------
My vehicle:
1999 Chevrolet Tahoe LT
4-door 4x4
176k miles



Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Apr 16, 2016, 11:29 PM

Post #10 of 14 (1668 views)
  post locked   Re: How can I make power outlets turn off automatically?  

Please allow me to shift gears on this.
Why are you creating a monster over just pulling the dang plug on something that goes into a power port? It whatever device you want empowered push it in to make contact and pull it out (not even all the way if a light indicates it's off) when you turn off the vehicle?
IDK - Check out the brand name "Wireless" for products. I have ONE charger by them for under $10 bucks that has all power tips that are popular you just switch the tips for device as needed.
It's already out there for what you want I just don't own what I'm thinking of pre-made but said up top would make a switched port plug that would go anywhere you went vehicle or wherever you have a power port need.
The downside to any of it: If anything is switched the plug or contacts if used and plugged in and unplugged, switched any way by ignition switch or physically at a port is going to wear not unlike going room to room with a home vacuum cleaner the dang plug or wall outlets take a hit same as your vehicle.


If just motivated to do this no matter what can't stop you and trying to help. I personally will take items from vehicle to another or in my home all the time so the switching idea you seek wouldn't help me for assorted junk.


Side note on phone like stuff and their chargers: Can't know each but several when done charging quit drawing current all by themselves as felt by some heat on the charger itself or item involved, phones, portable GPS, laptop I'm using.
In short the item you are plugging in may already quit drawing current by itself and this is just an exercise in something you don't even need? Just a thought,


T



Infinitech
Novice
Infinitech profile image

Apr 16, 2016, 11:49 PM

Post #11 of 14 (1665 views)
  post locked   Re: How can I make power outlets turn off automatically?  

I don't know why the "why" matters. This is a forum, I came here for answers about how to do something that I want to do;
I didn't come here for questions about why I want to do it.... unless the "why" helps you understand what I want to do. In this case, you already know what I want to do.

Anyways, I have a Bluetooth FM transmitter that automatically turns on and connects to my phone when it's plugged in.
If I leave it plugged in, it will automatically turn off after about 10-15 minutes from losing connection with my phone. Turning it back on only takes a few seconds but I'd rather have the luxury of it automatically turning on when I start my SUV; Because I also have to resume the music on my phone which takes a few more seconds.

Additionally, I am looking into a dash cam which has the auto on feature. The auto on feature is triggered by the ports receiving power. . .

I think I have a pretty good idea of what to do so I'll keep you posted on how it all works out.
----------------------
My vehicle:
1999 Chevrolet Tahoe LT
4-door 4x4
176k miles



Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Apr 17, 2016, 12:22 AM

Post #12 of 14 (1662 views)
  post locked   Re: How can I make power outlets turn off automatically?  

Relax - it's always going to be how much benefit and how handy it is for YOU at what efforts required.
I'd go ahead and run the wiring to a keyed fused item already shown.
Said there are things in the way to run just that wire to the port(s) you wish. Use all care in that such that wire doesn't rub anything.
Go for it - not up to me what you would like just warn of troubles you could encounter. Try hard not to break anything in this project. I already know with one with broken stuff it's not available new anymore and was a real pest to find used,


Tom



Infinitech
Novice
Infinitech profile image

May 5, 2016, 2:29 AM

Post #13 of 14 (1623 views)
  post locked   Re: How can I make power outlets turn off automatically?  

Well, I didn't get this done as soon as I had hoped because I had surgery but it's all done now.

It works perfectly. I used the add-a-circuit in the slot of my ignition controlled radio fuse and ran a wire to two relays which I mounted under the dash near the power outlets.
I found that I had to run the relays in parallel instead of in line. They wouldn't engage when ran in line.
Then I cut the + wires going to the two lower power outlets and connected the power to #30 on the relay and the wire to the outlet to #87.

I went a step further and installed two switches (1 for each outlet) which are connected to #87A on the relays and to the + on the power outlets.

if the switches are OFF, the power outlets turn on and off with the key. If the switches are On, the power outlets get power whether the key is on or off. Adding the switches wasn't necessary but it was a fun learning experience and this way I can choose if the outlets stay on all the time or not.


Note to anyone wanting to do this:

Make sure to use the right size of wire, I used 16 guage to control the relays but they don't need that big of a wire for the control since they pull less than an amp each.
There are charts online that tell you what guage to use for X-amps running through X-distance of wire.

Get relays that will support more than the fuse. My fuse for the power outlets is 25 amps, my relays are both 30/40 amps. I think the 30 amp rating is for the control wire and the 40 amp rating is for the device connected to the relay.

Make sure your switch can handle the amperage (if you install switches like I did). I used 30 amp switches with LED indicators.

Always disconnect the car battery, and if you have a remote start system be aware that your vehicle may try to start when you reconnect the battery if you don't have a kill switch installed. That happened to me but I was expecting it thankfully :P
----------------------
My vehicle:
1999 Chevrolet Tahoe LT
4-door 4x4
176k miles



Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

May 5, 2016, 5:01 AM

Post #14 of 14 (1616 views)
  post locked   Re: How can I make power outlets turn off automatically?  

OK - You seem to have this the way that pleases you now so will close thread as done. YOU may request it re-opened by any moderator if you want or need to,


T







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