12V Power Ports Hot?

[K9BM]

Sorry to mislead with my subject, I already know that virtually nothing in my 2020 Expy Max is hot when the engine is off. Of course I can open a door and it lights up light a Christmas tree, the power running boards come out, the interior illumination comes on. But the various 12V power ports remain dead as the grave, as does the (mostly useless) inverter. I'd like to get my wife one of those nifty 12V car refrigerators (about 45W power draw), but it seems like a nonstarter unless I buy a spare battery for it to bounce around in the rear of the car. Is there a problem with my Expy, or did Ford design all these auxiliary power ports to be dead except when the engine is running? I own a Ram truck and a GMC truck and they both have 12V outlets that stay hot all the time....

 

[Dclr]

Check the port in the center console. I have a flashlight/charger combo plugged in mine and it shows it's charging w/ the engine off and doors locked.

 

[K9BM]

Interesting. I should add that the vehicle has not been started for a few days when I did my testing. I took the key out to the garage and pushed the start button to turn it on to the accessory position, then turned it back off. So far, an hour later, the 12V ports are still hot (I have USB plugs in all of them, they each have a small LED that indicates power). I think these cars have a very complex power management system. For example, after turning off the ignition accessory position and locking the vehicle, the small blue courtesy light that illuminates the USB ports in the center console stays on for a long time, but eventually goes off. But just walking back into the garage and up to the car without a key and without touching the vehicle, I hear a sound of some motor and that courtesy light came back on. I have no idea what sensed my presence near the car, but presumably this would happen dozens of times an hour when the vehicle is parked in a busy store parking lot as people walk near it. Maybe part of the "perimeter alarm" system?

I'll post again tomorrow and report whether the 12V ports maintained power overnight....

 

[Going_Going_Gone]

My wife's new Aviator does that whirring and clicking bit if you walk close to it in the garage without the fob on you. When we had it in for service last week, we went over that and a few other questions with our salesman who said that the fob in the house must be in close enough proximity that the car senses it and the noises are probably the vehicle going into warmup mode preparing for someone to open a door.

 

[K9BM]

OK thanks, that makes sense I guess. Unfortunately IU discovered that after the car sat for a few hours (maybe 3-4), the 12V power ports went dead. This was even with a battery tender hooked up to the vehicle battery, so it's not a matter of battery voltage, but rather a timed shutdown thing. User Dcly says his port in the center console stays hot all the time, so I'm a little baffled. Next time I have to take it into the dealer I guess we'll have a conversation about it....

 

[Fozzy]

Using the vehicles 12v outlet is not the not the best setup for a fridge anyway. They are very prone to coming loose and falling out. Plus going dead when the key is off. Leaving you with warm food and beverages. The best way is to run a dedicated plug just for the fridge. A solar generator is also a great options. I currently have a SoGen in the cab and solar panels on my roof rack. The SoGen can run my fridge with freezer on for roughly 48 hours without charging. With the panels and only moderate sun it will stay charged as they put more power back than the fridge takes. It will pretty much run my fridge 24-7. Dometic also makes a small fridge that goes in the center console. And there are fridges that have a battery built in.

 

[m3olsen]

Rejuvenating this thread as it seemed a good place: has anyone else experienced on their 22+ that some version of over-the-air updates has changed the function of the 12V cigarette/ power port in (at least) the dash? I've been using that to power my radar detector (still haven't gotten around to hardwiring it) and had been religious about unplugging it each time I shut down, but forgot to about a week ago and saw it turn off when I opened the door to exit the vehicle. I've confirmed this a number of times - that port is working differently now and switches off. My prior experience is similar to what @K9BM said above - detector would stay on. I'd sometimes go out and check - it was always on an hour later, but usually off if I checked 3 hours later. Now that port shuts off as soon as I open the door to exit the vehicle, and comes back on when I cycle the ignition. I'm glad to have a switched source, but how odd for it to change! Wouldn't it be nice if we had a setting to control the port functions?

 

[TimberExpy]

Well I just installed a dash cam, which I plan to later hardware, and it’s currently plugged into the 12v lighter socket to the right of the center console. It’s been about 1/2 and hour, and it’s still powered. I have a ‘22.

 

[TimberExpy]

Update: decided to just use the USB ports to power the Dashcam (for now) because 1) they definitely turn off after a minute or two after opening/closing the doors, and 2) the power indicator on my 12v usb adapter is still ON after several hours of being away from the vehicle.

 

[m3olsen]

Well I just installed a dash cam, which I plan to later hardware, and it’s currently plugged into the 12v lighter socket to the right of the center console. It’s been about 1/2 and hour, and it’s still powered. I have a ‘22.

Very strange! Mine is definitely turning off when I shut down and open the door to exit the vehicle.

 

[Hardrocker]

I just spent some time investigating this same issue. My new dashcam plugged into the 12v outlet stays powered for about 30 minutes. I've checked for a software update and it doesn't find one. I don't really want to have to unplug the dashcam every time I park.

 

[Woodwolf]

Update: decided to just use the USB ports to power the Dashcam (for now) because 1) they definitely turn off after a minute or two after opening/closing the doors, and 2) the power indicator on my 12v usb adapter is still ON after several hours of being away from the vehicle.

Info for Those that use the USB plugs located in the Charging well to power a dash cam :
( Rove in my case) The dash came works as intended, powering on and off when starting or leaving vehicle. But this goes to hell fast when connecting a smart phone with Android Auto to the second USB port. Google maps distorts to be unreadable and after a while the screen of despair ( connected equipment not compatible) pops up and you are done with your setup.
Using any of the power outlets which power off by design after while) will not an allow the camera to operate surveillance mode during nighttime with vehicle off.
This requires hardwiring , with a special wiring kit, to the fuse box located in the passenger side foot well. Quick camera connection dongles to insert in the harness above mirror are NOT available for the 2019 Exp. Platinum (with a 16 hole connector) I inquired with manufacturers. ( there are plentiful connectors for the F150 and maybe is different for newer Expeditions)
PS side note:I rewired the dash board 12 V outlet to ALWAYS HOT to accept a 9 watt solar trickle charger which I keep on the dash. Any other location is not practical as vehicle is parked for days on end at my off the grid cabin and looses power. That is also why I need the camera to operate in park/surveillance mode . This will draw additional battery power. Hence the hardwire kit, which incorporates a low battery cut off, which the vehicle inherently also has.
Hope this info helps fellow folks installing cameras.
BTW:The amount of wiring harnesses under the footwell trim is mind boggling

 

[TimberExpy]

Info for Those that use the USB plugs located in the Charging well to power a dash cam :
( Rove in my case) The dash came works as intended, powering on and off when starting or leaving vehicle. But this goes to hell fast when connecting a smart phone with Android Auto to the second USB port. Google maps distorts to be unreadable and after a while the screen of despair ( connected equipment not compatible) pops up and you are done with your setup.
Using any of the power outlets which power off by design after while) will not an allow the camera to operate surveillance mode during nighttime with vehicle off.
This requires hardwiring , with a special wiring kit, to the fuse box located in the passenger side foot well. Quick camera connection dongles to insert in the harness above mirror are NOT available for the 2019 Exp. Platinum (with a 16 hole connector) I inquired with manufacturers. ( there are plentiful connectors for the F150 and maybe is different for newer Expeditions)
PS side note:I rewired the dash board 12 V outlet to ALWAYS HOT to accept a 9 watt solar trickle charger which I keep on the dash. Any other location is not practical as vehicle is parked for days on end at my off the grid cabin and looses power. That is also why I need the camera to operate in park/surveillance mode . This will draw additional battery power. Hence the hardwire kit, which incorporates a low battery cut off, which the vehicle inherently also has.
Hope this info helps fellow folks installing cameras.
BTW:The amount of wiring harnesses under the footwell trim is mind boggling

FWIW, since my original comments on this thread, I have hardwired my camera using the manufacturers harness and the truck's fuse box. Def. the way to go, at least with mine.

 

[aksarben]

Does anyone have a schematic of the passenger footwell fuse box that tells me which open port is available to power a dash cam? I would like one that powers on/off with the vehicle.

This is what the Nextbase hardwire kit comes with, so looks like it plugs directly into one of the spots, I just need some help knowing which one.

Thanks.

2021 EXPY Limited