Plug ins...Battery or Key outlet

[coopns]

Big trip is on to Nova Scotia (12hrs), kids have more devices then NASA. The 02 Caravan has the adapter outlet with a key on it and another with a battery. Which should I use, does it matter? They hope to run a laptop and a portable DVD player. Battery is new within the last year and so is alternator.

Let me know.

 

[Carbon]

I am going to guess that one outlet is always on, and the other is on when the key is turned on. It should be easy to test that guess.

 

[zrxkawboy]

Originally Posted By: Carbon
I am going to guess that one outlet is always on, and the other is on when the key is turned on.


correct

 

[JHZR2]

so youre saying which of the two 12V outlets is better to use if one is switched and one is always on?

If thats the case, Id look at which has a higher fuse rating; more loads should be put on that one.

 

[NHGUY]

And the keyed socket can be made full time with a fuse swap under the hood (in the fusebox)...

 

[JHZR2]

Right, Brianl703 had a DIY on how to do that. His method indicated that the resultant fuse rating had to be reduced for one reason or another.

Dont see why they all need to be constant really. Id prefer to have no draw when the vehicle is off, IMO it is better for the battery.

But for a road trip, if there is one of each, why not just distribute the loads according to load level?

 

[coopns]

Sorry, not getting it, so it really doesn't matter?

 

[Rand]

how is there a draw if there is nothing plugged in?
I dont see that it matters if its switched or constant?

imo I'd prefer constant.. can plug my cell phone in at work to charge if needed (in car) Highly doubt charging my cell phone for 2 hours is going to put much of a dent in a car battery.