I have a 1993 4Runner SR5 6 cylinder. It has about 170K miles on it. I don't drive it that often because I have another car I use for most of my driving.

The 4Runner doesn't have the battery disconnected so it sits there without being re-charged for several weeks at a time. The battery has gotten too low several times and I hot started it w/ a portable charger. But the battery doesn't hold its charge and I need to get it replaced. I've had to had batteries on this car replaced every 3 to 5 years.

I took it to the mechanic to see if there was some unusual electric drain when the 4Runner is not running. He checked and said that there is nothing unusual - the radio and a few things were drawing some power but nothing too high.

The battery is 3.5 years old - it's not too old. But the mechanic said that because I wasn't charging the battery very often, the battery was degrading, which is why I've had to replace the batteries on this 4Runner often.

He advised me to get a battery maintainer and connect it to the 4Runner battery so that it would stay charged. I looked at some solar panel ones like this:
My question is - if the battery maintainer has a cigarette socket adapter, does the 4Runner's cigarette lighter socket allow for power to go to the battery? I know that if I use the cigarette lighter, I can draw power from the battery. But can the cigarette lighter socket push power to the battery from the battery maintainer?

 

Pretty sure the socket isn't connected to the battery when the key is off, at least it's not in my 94, you can test it and find out. This means you'll have to add a charging pig tail or go under the hood to the battery. If you're opening the hood anyway maybe just disconnect the battery when you're not going to be using it.

 

I didn't think about the issue of the key being off.

I should test it but I need to find the cigarette lighter first (I don't smoke and I removed the lighter because I used the socket to plug in my cellphone adapter).

But *if* the key was on, does the cigarette lighter socket allow power to be sent to the battery from a battery maintainer?

 

I know, being a 50 year smoker, that the lighter socket does need the key to be in the ACC position, at least, to connect to the battery. It also is on a fused circuit. SO: Yes, the battery maintainer can be plugged into the lighter socket, but the key has to in ACC. Also, IF the battery gets low, and the maintainer tries to push too much current into the battery to charge it quickly, it's very possible for it to blow the fuse.

It might be better to either create a pigtail to hook it to the battery, or just use the connectors it comes with to connect it to the battery.

As mentioned, and this is what I do when my truck (either one) sits for a while, just pull the negative battery leads. With the "marine" terminals on the battery, it's a very easy proposition. Unscrew the wing-nut (no, not the one behind the wheel! ), and the two leads just slide off. We recently had to evacuate due to a local wild fire. If you care it was the 242 Fire, South-Central Oregon area, near Klamath Falls. Anywho, when the cop banged on our door, I went out, put the leads on in 20 seconds and fired up the 4Runner that had sat for most of the summer. Fired right up, nice strong battery. Just took a few seconds to pressurize the fuel system, as expected. We loaded it up and away we went. Easy.

Good luck!
Pat☺

 

So to summarize what you said, the cigarette lighter socket can push power to the battery (even if it might blow a fuse if it pushes power too quickly). Is this correct?

It looks like I might have to use the alligator clips that come with the battery maintainer.


Pat, I know how to disconnect the battery. This is my last resort and I haven't done it because:

1) Disconnecting the battery means no car alarm. This car is parked outside almost all the time. And it's a minor inconvenience to have to reset all the radio stations. I don't need this car to start up in an emergency because I have another car. (Thank God you got away from the fire).

2) Even if I disconnect the battery so it doesn't slowly drain, wouldn't it still be damaged because I'm not charging it at regular intervals?

 

Car alarm, well now you know what's killing your battery charge =P

Your 10watt solor cell isn't gonna pop any fuses, that's not even pushing a full amp.

I don't know what the standby current (switch in ACC position) is but that's not a good idea with a solar cell regardless since you're in drain stage what 12-16 hours?

Easy solution, just drive the darn thing once a week for something. Call it date night!

But anyway your root question can I charge with the socket, yes you can trickle charge on any live powered wire that's just how electrons work.

 

Did he tell you actual numbers? Last time I checked my draw with IGN off (here) I got 20 milli-amperes. I recently changed my alternator and haven't checked again.

Like mentioned above, no. Newer vehicles have UN-switched cigarette lighter outlet, like the one in rear deck of our Nissan XTerra (no longer with us). It's a good feature. IF I were to install one I would use:
1) Anderson Powerpole* connectors, OR cigarette lighter socket with max power capacity. (*can handle more power AND have more secure connection than the cigarette lighter adapter. Google it, I recent just came across these),
2) Wire gage to handle mas power the Powepoles can.
3) Appropriate fuse as close as possible to the battery for wire gage chosen above.

 

I have 2 vehicles that are often sitting idle for periods long enough to drain the battery. My solution was to install a smart battery maintainer in each vehicle that can be plugged in to a extension cord whenever required. I've attached a photo so you can see where it is in my '91 4Runner.

Jim


Schumacher SE-1-12S. Plug is usually tucked behind fuse box.

 

The Schumacher is a good idea. How long have you had it installed? Lost any batteries to over charging?