12VDC Outlets on the Dash October 13, 2022, 01:02:58 pm On our newer rig there is one on the dash and one in the glove box.Are these on a timer to go off after a period of time?I have my Sirius XM plugged into the glove box outlet and it goes off after a period of time and I need to turn the key to get out back on. My 1995 was on no matter the key position.
Re: 12VDC Oullets on the Dash Reply #1 – October 13, 2022, 03:01:55 pm Hi, Ted. On my 2017, that outlet is powered off the coach batteries so has constant power. I relocated the outlet from the glove box to the passenger side kick panel so I can plug in a Garmin navigation unit without having the glove box lid open. 1 Likes
Re: 12VDC Oullets on the Dash Reply #2 – October 13, 2022, 05:30:31 pm Hi Ted,I have a 2021 MB like you. The 12V socket on the dash is held on (keep-alive) after turning off the ignition IF there is a current draw on the 12V socket. This Ford "feature" really threw me until I figured it out. I use the dash mounted 12V socket to power my Garmin RV-890 GPS unit. Note that the male plug on the power cord for the GPS has an LED to indicate the presence of 12V power.If the male GPS plug is unplugged and the ignition is off, then plugging it in does nothing. In that case you must turn on the ignition and the LED on the male plug will illuminate and the GPS will power up.If the ignition is on and the GPS is powered up, turning off the ignition still powers the GPS and will do so forever. I can actually pull the power cord from the GPS unit and leave the male plug inserted into the 12V socket and it will still supply 12V as indicated by the LED on on the plug. I haven't measured it but I believe there is some circuitry inside the male plug to step down the voltage from 12V to 5V and the minor idle current draw is enough to trigger the Ford keep-alive feature.So the procedure I use is... plug the GPS power cord into the 12V dash socket before starting the engine. After starting the engine the GPS automatically powers on and I set it to my destination for the day. When I'm ready to stop for the day, I turn off the ignition, unplug from the 12V socket and then power down the GPS.Bottom line is, if there is any current draw from the 12V socket when turning off the ignition, the 12V will stay alive forever. I never use the 12V socket in the glovebox so I can't comment on that. I hope this helps.- John 2 Likes
Re: 12VDC Oullets on the Dash Reply #3 – October 17, 2022, 05:00:02 pm Quote from: JohnR - October 13, 2022, 05:30:31 pmHi Ted,I have a 2021 MB like you. The 12V socket on the dash is held on (keep-alive) after turning off the ignition IF there is a current draw on the 12V socket. This Ford "feature" really threw me until I figured it out. I use the dash mounted 12V socket to power my Garmin RV-890 GPS unit. Note that the male plug on the power cord for the GPS has an LED to indicate the presence of 12V power.If the male GPS plug is unplugged and the ignition is off, then plugging it in does nothing. In that case you must turn on the ignition and the LED on the male plug will illuminate and the GPS will power up.If the ignition is on and the GPS is powered up, turning off the ignition still powers the GPS and will do so forever. I can actually pull the power cord from the GPS unit and leave the male plug inserted into the 12V socket and it will still supply 12V as indicated by the LED on on the plug. I haven't measured it but I believe there is some circuitry inside the male plug to step down the voltage from 12V to 5V and the minor idle current draw is enough to trigger the Ford keep-alive feature.So the procedure I use is... plug the GPS power cord into the 12V dash socket before starting the engine. After starting the engine the GPS automatically powers on and I set it to my destination for the day. When I'm ready to stop for the day, I turn off the ignition, unplug from the 12V socket and then power down the GPS.Bottom line is, if there is any current draw from the 12V socket when turning off the ignition, the 12V will stay alive forever. I never use the 12V socket in the glovebox so I can't comment on that. I hope this helps.- JohnI use the glove box for my Sirius XM and the dash outlet for my tow braking monitor. The glove box definately goes out after a period of time even with a draw. I'll try the dash outlet when parked and see. Thanks John.