Permanent 12V supply to Power Socket

I think the 12V outlets were run via the ignition switch in Mk 6 & 7 Golfs to avoid flat batteries and the consequent roadside service calls, not from any sense of altruism.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by DV52

giveaway: Yes. Fuse position #40 shares the supply to both the in-cabin 12V socket and the 12V socket over the driver's side rear wheel-well (in the boot hatch). So the tweak will convert both sockets to permanent 12V supplies.

---

dv52 - I can't help wondering if any other functions can be similarly tweaked. For instance, if it were possible to reposition a fuse in order to deactivate the stop/start system that is hated by some owners. When deactivating the function by depressing the switch, the switch is illuminated by power from somewhere, so would applying power directly have the same effect and might this be achieved by moving a fuse? Your thoughts?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Idle

I think the 12V outlets were run via the ignition switch in Mk 6 & 7 Golfs to avoid flat batteries and the consequent roadside service calls, not from any sense of altruism.

---

This. If you left a battery powered refrigerated esky in the boot on a hot day you might have considerable trouble starting the car...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by flight

dv52 - I can't help wondering if any other functions can be similarly tweaked. For instance, if it were possible to reposition a fuse in order to deactivate the stop/start system that is hated by some owners. When deactivating the function by depressing the switch, the switch is illuminated by power from somewhere, so would applying power directly have the same effect and might this be achieved by moving a fuse? Your thoughts?

---

flight: I do like the way your brain works -but, that's all the hagiography that I intend to give! (only kidding)

Seriously, it would be great if such a thing were possible. The way that I envisage that the SS console button works is that instead of providing a fixed 12Volt supply to the appropriate on/off control mechanism, the switch provides a "leading edge" to the control mechanism (i.e the console switch provides an AC signal, rather than a DC supply). That's why (I think) that the car resets the status of SS to the off position each time that the ignition is turned-on. But, I admit that I'm just guessing.

If anyone can find that elusive "quick-fix" for disabling SS, then he/she will have my undying admiration (worth lots at the check-out desk at Coles/Woolworths)! But as I have implemented the VCDS tweak for SS, this annoying little VW feature has not been a problem.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by b c

This. If you left a battery powered refrigerated esky in the boot on a hot day you might have considerable trouble starting the car...

---

b c: I agree that those folk that intend to operate a high powered refrigerated esky for an extended length of time while the ignition is off should not do the tweak (or they should refrain from using the esky on a hot day)!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by DV52

b c: I agree that those folk that intend to operate a high powered refrigerated esky for an extended length of time while the ignition is off should not do the tweak (or they should refrain from using the esky on a hot day)!

---

Eskys are for use on hot days so kind of ruins that argument.

You shouldn't be running a fridge of one of those circuits anyway as the current draw is mostly too high for the gauge of wire installed at factory.

I had an 8 Gauge wire running to the rear of my vehicle to run the 60L fridge I ran.

Always remembering that smart things in vehicles have to be engineered to cater for the lowest common denominator.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by wai

Just remember that the cigarette lighter socket is powered with the ignition on for a reason.

If you insert the lighter element in and it gets stuck for any reason (e.g. there is a mismatch and the grip/release mechanism gets caught in the element), it will set the car on fire unless you can get to the battery with the appropriate spanner, or find and remove the fuse.

This is not so much of an issue for an accessory socket because there is not a mechanism to hold a lighter element in them.

The powering of the lighter socket with the ignition on or on accessory was part of an ADR until manufacturers agreed to make that operation standard. This reduced the amount of paperwork required to get compliance.

---

Skoda Octavia has permanently powered lighter socket (drives me insane). Kind of blows your argument out of the water

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by brad

Skoda Octavia has permanently powered lighter socket (drives me insane). Kind of blows your argument out of the water

---

Does it come with a lighter in it or is it just a power socket though

Very few cars these days actually supply a cancer stick igniter LOL

Neither of mine do and neither did the 4 rentals I had in USA.

None were Octavias though. 1 Hyundai Tucson (Ix35) 1 new Ford Escape (Kuga here) a crappy Fusion and an Audi A4

All only had power sockets.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by DV52

flight: I do like the way your brain works -but, that's all the hagiography that I intend to give! (only kidding)

Seriously, it would be great if such a thing were possible. The way that I envisage that the SS console button works is that instead of providing a fixed 12Volt supply to the appropriate on/off control mechanism, the switch provides a "leading edge" to the control mechanism (i.e the console switch provides an AC signal, rather than a DC supply). That's why (I think) that the car resets the status of SS to the off position each time that the ignition is turned-on. But, I admit that I'm just guessing.

If anyone can find that elusive "quick-fix" for disabling SS, then he/she will have my undying admiration (worth lots at the check-out desk at Coles/Woolworths)! But as I have implemented the VCDS tweak for SS, this annoying little VW feature has not been a problem.

---

Sadly, I think you may be right dv52. There is probably some sort of silicon-embedded logic involved that cannot be bypassed by string or bailing wire, as in the old days. Anyway, we'll all keep looking for an answer. Somebody smarter than me may yet find a way and will earn our gratitude or perhaps canonisation :-)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Hillbilly

Does it come with a lighter in it or is it just a power socket though

Very few cars these days actually supply a cancer stick igniter LOL

.

---

Yep genuine lighter. Czech car - they still like the cancer sticks in Europe - esp the old Eastern block & ex-Yugoslav countries.

The weird thing is that when I first got it I'm sure the 12v socket only stayed energised for 30 minutes after turning off the car then about 3 years back it became a 24/7 thing. Have asked & everyone says that the 30 mins was my imagination.