Does a 12v socket run even when the ignition is off?

Does the 12v socket work when a car is not on or does it work when it's only on? I require a black box in my car and have to keep it plugged in for six months.

Asked on 26 November 2019 by Michael

Answered by Honest John
It depends which 12v socket. On some cars one of them is hard wired to the battery; the other works through the ignition. You can find out by trying to run something from each of the sockets when the engine is off. However, the insurer will only be interested in what the black box is recording when the car is actually moving, so it can go off when the car goes off or it will probably drain the battery.
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