"My car, the cell phone charger"

[jbach36]

I hate to use my car as a cell phone charger, but I've been working on a house where we had no power, and have to charge the cell phone sometimes. So I go out, turn the key to the accessory position, and let my phone charge for a few hours.

Am I damaging anything in doing this?

jeff 1991 300d, 128k

[jt20]

only your relationship with the car.



.. are there any other electric drains at that time?

[mobetta]

I wired in a auxiliary 12v port that is always on, so I dont need the key to run certain stuff.

[jbach36]

Originally Posted by jt20

only your relationship with the car.



.. are there any other electric drains at that time?

No, I turn the radio off, etc. and just let the phone charge. I thought maybe the key in that position sort of 'readied' the engine somehow. So long as I'm not hurting anything, I'm ok with it. I rarely do it, but wanted to make sure it was ok.

Thanks,

jeff

[dieseldan44]

youll be able to charge your phone many times over before you encounter a problem...as long as you dont leave your lights on :-)

[2.5Turbo]

Originally Posted by jbach36

No, I turn the radio off, etc. and just let the phone charge. I thought maybe the key in that position sort of 'readied' the engine somehow. So long as I'm not hurting anything, I'm ok with it. I rarely do it, but wanted to make sure it was ok.

Thanks,

jeff

Yeah, you won't hurt anything in the accessory position. Only the run position "readies" the car by turning on glow plugs and such.

[Jeremy5848]

Only problem I see is the risk of theft from leaving the key in the ignition. You are the best judge of that since you know where the car is. Best solution to that risk would be a second key and use it to lock the doors. A separate fused feed to an accessory outlet would also be a good idea, I had one on my '85, need to install it on the '87.