Cigarette lighter question

[94landcruiser]

The 80 has been sitting and draining the battery. I bought a cheap solar cell from Harbor Freight (case partially melted within an hour of exposure to the Phoenix sun) but it does not appear to be helping.

I know the lighter is disabled when the key is off. Does that mean electricity won't make it to the battery from a solar panel attached to the lighter when the truck is off?

[TOY350]

I would assume so. Your lighter is off when the ignition is off so the side of the fuse that your lighters harness is on does not have a connection to the hot battery side. That's how I see it.

[94landcruiser]

That's what I was afraid of.

Back to the drawing board.

Thanks.

[TOY350]

Can probably cut the lighter end off and mount the leads to the battery if you know what side is positive and negative on the wire. Don't quote me on it since I don't know the schematic of your panel, but in theory it sounds right.