P38 cigarette lighter socket

Ok guys, I have the P38 battery gremlin.... yup, I wake up to a flat battery if I leave the Tank standing for a couple of days.
I've disconnected the RF unit aerial, which helps, and I've ordered a power cut-out unit to put in the power feed for the RF unit... yeah, I'll be the guy with two fobs lol... but I want to use a solar panel to trickle charge the battery.
I found a great one on t'interwebby, bought it, popped the lead in and........ it doesn't work.
Turns out my cigarette socket isn't permanently live, which means when I switch the ignition off it wont allow the solar panel to work.
So, (and congrats for sticking with this, soz to go on lol) how do I make the socket permanently live?
Please, keep it simple, use small words and colours, and please start with how the hell do I remove the trim the socket sits in without breaking it?

Wire it straight to the battery? Surely that will keep it always live? As to the trim not a clue I don't have a p38 but probably a screwdriver and hammer

just run a wire from the battery into the cabin with a fuse and socket or cigarette lighter socket on it and plug the panel into that.

mattmaclaren said:

Wire it straight to the battery? Surely that will keep it always live? As to the trim not a clue I don't have a p38 but probably a screwdriver and hammer

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Ok... I may not be a whizz with wiring, but even I know you shouldn't just wire it direct to the battery lol

WayneRR4x4 said:

Ok... I may not be a whizz with wiring, but even I know you shouldn't just wire it direct to the battery lol

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Yeah beleive it or not when I said It I was thinking of the fuse been in there but didn't mention it, maybe be a good idea next time

A lot of solar panels have croc clips to go straight on to battery so will be ok wired direct.
the rf cut out should be wired in so it cuts the orange wire which is feed from receiver to becm and take the power supply to run it from the red and black.

tarphenry said:

just run a wire from the battery into the cabin with a fuse and socket or cigarette lighter socket on it and plug the panel into that.

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Now, that's more like it... except I have questions.
How do I get the wire into the cabin from the engine compartment?
I'm guessing I need a live and earth connection?
What rate fuse do I use?

When you buy the remote switch make sure it doesnt operate at 433Mhz or it wont work.Fuse same size as panel max 5 amp. you will need to follow wiring loom to find acess

You can stick a couple of wires through the seal for the heater pipes and get at them inside the cabin with the panel above drivers feet removed.

Easiest way is to wire a socket into the 12V permanent live for the towing electrics on the left hand (passenger side) side of the vehicle behind the rear light cluster. I did that for just this purpose and so I had a power supply in the boot.

Grrrrrr said:

Easiest way is to wire a socket into the 12V permanent live for the towing electrics on the left hand (passenger side) side of the vehicle behind the rear light cluster. I did that for just this purpose and so I had a power supply in the boot.

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That's a good idea, hadn't thought of that. I can charge my boost pack then so its always ready.