Hacking my car's FM Modulator with a battery

[Fireball]

Hi all

Question for those of you guys who know a bit about car electronics:


I have one of those FM transmitters that plug into my car's cigarette lighter socket.
It works great, but unfortunately it powers off as soon as I switch off my car.
This is somewhat inconvenient when I'm waiting in the drive-through for example. I don't want to keep the engine idling needlessly just so I can listen to music.

I asked the mechanic for a quote on wiring the lighter socket directly to the car battery: R1000. Ouch.

So I have a different plan: Plug a rechargeable battery / powerbank into the lighter socket, and plug a lighter socket into said powerbank. The FM modulator would then get its power from the powerbank instead of directly from the car's lighter socket.

Thus, in theory, the powerbank would basically act as a UPS for the FM modulator, keeping it on even if I turn off the car. The powerbank would get charged whenever the car runs.


Does anyone have any thoughts on this? Or, if you have a better idea, I'd love to hear it!

 

[Toxxyc]

Better idea? Yes. This: https://www.autostyle.co.za/12v-clamps-with-car-lighter-socket-adaptor.html

Combined with a piece of extension cable and a normal light switch (inline switch) to cut power when you need it to. Safe, easy and cheap.

 

[ScottulusMaximus]

Yes it would work, however if you're at drive through's often enough for this to be a genuine issue you've got bigger problems on your hands...

 

[Fireball]

Yes it would work, however if you're at drive through's often enough for this to be a genuine issue you've got bigger problems on your hands...

Don't judge me! It's not my fault KFC is so tasty :friendly_wink:

 

[iamgigglz]

Can't you turn your key to "acc" to kill the engine while keeping stuff like the 12v socket working?

Issue with your plan: How do you plug your FM modulator into the powerbank?

 

[Fireball]

Better idea? Yes. This: https://www.autostyle.co.za/12v-clamps-with-car-lighter-socket-adaptor.html
Combined with a piece of extension cable and a normal light switch (inline switch) to cut power when you need it to. Safe, easy and cheap.

Not a bad idea, thanks. The socket into which the modulator is currently plugged is in my car's boot though, so that would be a fair amount of wire (and judging by my own wiring skills, probably a bit unsightly too).
But I'll give this idea some thought.

 

[WiZard]

Hi all

Question for those of you guys who know a bit about car electronics:


I have one of those FM transmitters that plug into my car's cigarette lighter socket.
It works great, but unfortunately it powers off as soon as I switch off my car.
This is somewhat inconvenient when I'm waiting in the drive-through for example. I don't want to keep the engine idling needlessly just so I can listen to music.

I asked the mechanic for a quote on wiring the lighter socket directly to the car battery: R1000. Ouch.

So I have a different plan: Plug a rechargeable battery / powerbank into the lighter socket, and plug a lighter socket into said powerbank. The FM modulator would then get its power from the powerbank instead of directly from the car's lighter socket.

Thus, in theory, the powerbank would basically act as a UPS for the FM modulator, keeping it on even if I turn off the car. The powerbank would get charged whenever the car runs.


Does anyone have any thoughts on this? Or, if you have a better idea, I'd love to hear it!

Find someone who doesn't smoke such strong s**t...

 

[Fireball]

Can't you turn your key to "acc" to kill the engine while keeping stuff like the 12v socket working?
Issue with your plan: How do you plug your FM modulator into the powerbank?

My car (VW Jetta TDI) doesn't allow me to go from "on" to "acc" without first going to "off". Killing the engine also kills the 12V socket until I turn it back to "acc".
Sure, it only takes about a second to turn the key, but in that time the modulator shuts off and loses connection with my phone, so then I need to wait a bit for it to reconnect and then open my phone to resume playback.

It's a certainly a small problem, but it happens often enough that it's annoying.


EDIT: As for

How do you plug your FM modulator into the powerbank?

:
I saw that you get USB-to-12v Cigarette sockets. I figured I'd plug the USB part into the powerbank.

 

[Fireball]

Find someone who doesn't smoke such strong s**t...

But why would I settle for someone who smokes weak s**t?

 

[Toxxyc]

Not a bad idea, thanks. The socket into which the modulator is currently plugged is in my car's boot though, so that would be a fair amount of wire (and judging by my own wiring skills, probably a bit unsightly too).
But I'll give this idea some thought.

Then move it. Run the cable through the firewall and to the battery, and leave the modulator under a front seat or inside the cubbyhole?

 

[WiZard]

But why would I settle for someone who smokes weak s**t?

Because they are cheap

Go buy an inline fuse holder at your local auto spares, and do a fusebox bypass (bonus is that it is not a permanent mod to the car). Google "Jetta cigarette lighter" and switch to images, lots of people have the same problem with Jettas...

 

[iamgigglz]

Do you have an aftermarket radio? If so, it'll have a blue cable that I'm willing to bet isn't currently used. It switches on when the radio is on and is used to switch on amps etc. I'm not sure how much power your modulator draws, but you could use this blue wire to power it, or perhaps using it tp switch a relay to power the modulator would be a better plan.

Edit - The Wizard is right. That bypass is an easier solution. Just be careful about running you battery flat with that modulator switched on all the time.

 

[Fireball]

Because they are cheap

Go buy an inline fuse holder at your local auto spares, and do a fusebox bypass (bonus is that it is not a permanent mod to the car).

Brilliant! Looks like the ideal solution. Thanks!

 

[Fireball]

Do you have an aftermarket radio? If so, it'll have a blue cable that I'm willing to bet isn't currently used. It switches on when the radio is on and is used to switch on amps etc. I'm not sure how much power your modulator draws, but you could use this blue wire to power it, or perhaps using it tp switch a relay to power the modulator would be a better plan.

Edit - The Wizard is right. That bypass is an easier solution. Just be careful about running you battery flat with that modulator switched on all the time.

Stock, factory-fitted radio, so that's unfortunately not an option (I think). Going to try Wizard's idea.

 

[RexTrueform]

You could always buy a usb or bluetooth radio rather.

 

[Saaj]

Or you could find something similar to this? Have not used anything like this, so not sure on how well it would work...but have been considering getting something similar for myself. Currently using an old Nokia N900 (has a built in FM Transmitter) to stream music from device to radio...

https://www.takealot.com/plantronics-k100-bluetooth-carvisor-and-fm-transmitter/PLID17015013

"The Plantronics K100 in-car speakerphone is the hands-free solution for your smartphone while on the road, Stereo streaming for music navigation and applications keep you in touch, whilst dual mirophone and noise cancellation delivefr Plantronics signature sound quality for your calls. The Plantronics K100 is perfect for a smarter lifestyle, on the road. "

 

[Fireball]

You could always buy a usb or bluetooth radio rather.

Not too keen on this option. Can't justify forking out so much dosh for the 1% of times that I am annoyed with my current setup.

 

[RexTrueform]

So much dosh?
You can buy a decent unit for under R1000.

 

[Toxxyc]

So much dosh?
You can buy a decent unit for under R1000.

This is actually very true. With Black Friday coming up, you can get a VERY nice head unit for cheap cheap.

 

[Fireball]

Or you could find something similar to this? Have not used anything like this, so not sure on how well it would work...but have been considering getting something similar for myself. Currently using an old Nokia N900 (has a built in FM Transmitter) to stream music from device to radio...

https://www.takealot.com/plantronics-k100-bluetooth-carvisor-and-fm-transmitter/PLID17015013

"The Plantronics K100 in-car speakerphone is the hands-free solution for your smartphone while on the road, Stereo streaming for music navigation and applications keep you in touch, whilst dual mirophone and noise cancellation delivefr Plantronics signature sound quality for your calls. The Plantronics K100 is perfect for a smarter lifestyle, on the road. "

Have considered that same one. Have it on my wish list in fact. I think I'm just too lazy to take it out and charge it every few days . On the other hand, having a hands-free mic might not be a terrible idea (assuming one can actually carry a conversation without having to shout at the visor)

 

[Fireball]

So much dosh? You can buy a decent unit for under R1000.

This is actually very true. With Black Friday coming up, you can get a VERY nice head unit for cheap cheap.

For a head unit like the factory fitted one? The lowest I've seen is R4000. And that doesn't include installation.
R1000 seems to be the regular type radio faces like the one that got stolen out of my old car

If you can recommend a good shop I'd be happy to take a look, but for the most part, I'm actually quite happy with my current setup.
Then again...maybe I should look at a new unit with a screen so I can fit a rearview camera and a dash-cam. Hmmm....

 

[Saaj]

Have considered that same one. Have it on my wish list in fact. I think I'm just too lazy to take it out and charge it every few days . On the other hand, having a hands-free mic might not be a terrible idea (assuming one can actually carry a conversation without having to shout at the visor)

looking to see if there are any other brands on the market that is similar in nature to this...as for the charging, dont be sooo lazy...you could just use the in car charger for this and would not need to take it out of the car

 

[ShadowsFall]

You okes keep on pushing stuff, the solution is already in the thread, exactly what he's after, with the wire to bypass the relay for the lighter socket, giving it permanent 12v.