# Converting power outlet from unswitched to switched

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/converting-power-outlet-from-unswitched-to-switched/32896>\
**Category:** General Discussion\
**Created:** [July 5, 2009, 5:49pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/converting-power-outlet-from-unswitched-to-switched/32896 "2009-07-05T17:49:40Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![RHuibregtse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a88e57/32.png) [@RHuibregtse](https://community.cartalk.com/u/RHuibregtse)\
**Post date:** [July 5, 2009, 5:49pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/converting-power-outlet-from-unswitched-to-switched/32896/1 "2009-07-05T17:49:40Z")

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I have a 2000 Chevy Astro Van with many outlets for electronics. They are all live even when the ignition is off. I would like to convert one of them to become active only when the ignition is on. Can you help?

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**Author:** ![oldschool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e19adc/32.png) [@oldschool](https://community.cartalk.com/u/oldschool)\
**Post date:** [July 5, 2009, 7:32pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/converting-power-outlet-from-unswitched-to-switched/32896/2 "2009-07-05T19:32:31Z")

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There is a large gague pink wire off the ignition switch you can tap off,then just access the outlet for hook up.

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**Author:** ![Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/joseph_e_meehan/32/21_2.png) [@Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Joseph_E_Meehan)\
**Post date:** [July 5, 2009, 8:17pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/converting-power-outlet-from-unswitched-to-switched/32896/3 "2009-07-05T20:17:38Z")

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Assuming you are only looking at low power devices on this circuit OK, but if it is a high power circuit (big amp?) then you will want to use that circuit to power a relay on a high power circuit.

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**Author:** ![Whitey](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/whitey/32/24680_2.png) [@Whitey](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Whitey)\
**Post date:** [July 6, 2009, 1:48pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/converting-power-outlet-from-unswitched-to-switched/32896/4 "2009-07-06T13:48:17Z")

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I agree with Joseph. If you are running something that uses a lot of power, like a cooler, I recommend you unplug it before you shut the van off. Otherwise, Oldschool has given you your answer.