Does not disconnecting the power cord cause drain to battery?

**joestay** · 09-04-2010, 08:20 PM

I have a 2009 Accord and I was wondering if leaving the power cord plugged into the cigarette lighter socket will drain the car battery? I have the pro 78se. I prefer to not remove and reinsert the power cord every time I start or stop the car. Also, will my RD be damage by starting and turning off the car every time with the power cord in?

**kpatz** · 09-05-2010, 08:03 AM

Does the lighter power stay on when the ignition is off?

If it stays on, unplugging it is a good idea. Even better, hardwire the detector into the fuse box on a switched circuit. That way, turn the car off, RD turns off. Start the car up, RD turns on.

If the lighter socket turns off with the ignition, you're ok.

**MOPARado** · 09-05-2010, 08:10 AM

The SE's draw a small amount of standby current to operate the intelli-cord even when the detector is powered off. I forget the exact standby current but its in the low milli Amps which is normally nothing to worry about if your cigar lighter socket is always hot. On the other hand assuming an always hot lighter socket, if the car is to be parked for long periods, i'd unplug the RDer.
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**joestay** · 09-05-2010, 09:24 AM

So, if the lighter socket is hot for hours after I turn off my engine, then that means the lighter socket is always on? It seems every time I turn off the car and remove the keys, the RD turns off too. Does that mean the lighter socket turns off with the ignition? I don't have intelli-cord so should I be okay?

**Hunter** · 09-05-2010, 10:47 AM

If the Rd's turn off with the ignition,you are ok.

**kpatz** · 09-05-2010, 12:06 PM

Originally Posted by joestay

So, if the lighter socket is hot for hours after I turn off my engine, then that means the lighter socket is always on? It seems every time I turn off the car and remove the keys, the RD turns off too. Does that mean the lighter socket turns off with the ignition? I don't have intelli-cord so should I be okay?

Your car might be setup so that the accessory circuit doesn't shut off until you remove the key, not just shut it off. Many newer cars do this so you can still listen to the radio after you shut the key off.

If the RD goes off when you remove the key, or open the door, you're ok. Once it's off, it should stay off until you turn the key back on.

**MOPARado** · 09-05-2010, 06:28 PM

Originally Posted by joestay

So, if the lighter socket is hot for hours after I turn off my engine, then that means the lighter socket is always on? It seems every time I turn off the car and remove the keys, the RD turns off too. Does that mean the lighter socket turns off with the ignition? I don't have intelli-cord so should I be okay?

By 'hot' that means its electrically alive.
Like the others said, if the detector powers off when you key the ignition off you're OK. With power off at the lighther socket now, the detector can't draw that standby current i mentioned. All is well dude!
Now go have some driving fun, don't speed too much and keep an eye out on that rearview mirror as well as the detector.
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