ya had an installer look at it.. just to stay away from the always hot route hes recommending I just patch into my ignition, which hed solder and rig it up for 20 bucks, after talking with him for a few sittin in my truck, does seem like the smart way to go. Using my cig outlet would just havea constant strain on the battery wouldnt it?

 

no more than the factory radio using the same voltage to hold memory.

 

I agree with jkeaton's comments. In my opinion, if you take up this mechanics advise, you'll spend $20 to get a splice or terminal soldered on somewhere close to your ignition to do the same thing you can do with the add-a-circuit for less. The radio needs a slight amount of power to keep it's settings memory alive and this is insignificant in the "great scheme of things" since many things like your computer, other control modules, and even the clock need a small amount of power constantly - it's not like you're plugging in a toaster oven to run off the battery. I would use 1 add-a-circuit from fuse plug #6 for the memory power and since the cigarette lighter is only on in the ACC or ON key selection, I'd splice into this wire for the full radio power - this gets turned off when you turn the key off. Some radios will stay on for a short period of time after you turn off the main power - this short stay-alive function is supplied by the "memory" power connection and is there to "sooth your senses" as you leave the vehicle.

 

both my front and in the center console outlets are powered without the key in ignition

 

Guys, the "always on" hot comes right through the factory harness, without concern for computer switching.

Again, the only non-standard connection that needs to be made is to splice into the cigarette lighter for on-off switching via the radio's red wire. Full-time hot is already supplied.

 

Hmm, that's odd then that some trucks are and some aren't.

 

that is switchable via fuse position in the fuse box. One position it is always on, other position it is switched. I have mine switched.

 

Sorry SmackGoneWild, I screwed up. I was correct in my earlier post - the radio fuse is not "always hot", so if you use the add a circuit module, that would be good for the main radio power & if the power outlets are "hot", then that's where the memory hookup would go.

Sorry again for my screw-up, I should remember to read what I write

 

haha alright well **** sorry guys im still a bit lost here.. The guy I was talking to works in a car stereo shop, definitely knew his way around a vehicle's wires. If I want hes saying 20 bucks and tomorrow afternoon he can run the power off my ignition. From what you all seem to be agreeing on, going off the cig outlet is another option. In this case, my comfort zone was about hookin up harnesses, fuses n crimping from here to here n switch blahhhhh I think im just gonna go the safe route, soldering by him seems like a legit way to have everything fine in the end without worry

 

I've worked in automotive electronics (Car audio, security and much more) for about 2 decades, I connected mine to the power outlet.

The best way is to strip back some of the insulation, wrap the wire around, solder and insulate with good electrical tape.