Mrb00ns Posted August 12, 2021 Share Posted August 12, 2021 Hi,I've got a MY2013 Sigma and am looking for a switched live to connect up a USB car charger. From the wiring chart it looks like I need a solid white wire, which is fine but they appear to be a bit tricky to find. The easiest to access is connected to the starter button, but when I connect it up I'm not getting any power to the USB. Could there be a reason why that isn't coming through ok? Is it actually a switched live running to the starter button? The earth is good and it works ok if wired directly to the battery (but I don't want to do that to avoid parasitic drain, even though it has an off-switch on the charger).The car starts fine with the start button so that's working ok. Car electronics not my forte so any suggestions welcome (and likely to help me even if basic suggestions!). Thanks in advance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonathan Kay Posted August 12, 2021 Share Posted August 12, 2021 I can send the appropriate wiring diagrams if you would like any.Do you have a multimeter?JonathanPS: The "standard" British wiring colours are in this document, and Caterham often adhered to them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leadership Team SLR No.77 Posted August 12, 2021 Leadership Team Share Posted August 12, 2021 Behind the dash, solid brown is usually permanent live, solid green is ignition switched live. Black is earth.Stu. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonathan Kay Posted August 12, 2021 Share Posted August 12, 2021 "The easiest to access is connected to the starter button, but when I connect it up I'm not getting any power to the USB. Could there be a reason why that isn't coming through ok? Is it actually a switched live running to the starter button?"What are the colours of all of the wires at your starter button?Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrb00ns Posted August 12, 2021 Author Share Posted August 12, 2021 Jonathan. I've got a wiring diagram thanks, and it seems to match my actual wiring too!Starter button has a white wire and a white wire with red stripe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Area Representative Bizzielizzie13 Posted August 12, 2021 Area Representative Share Posted August 12, 2021 Just a thought.Would it be worth wiring in a 'Cig Lighter' type socket direct to the battery & then using a plug in USB charger converter? You can then charge the battery with the USB removed & importantly without the trouble of removing the bonnet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrb00ns Posted August 13, 2021 Author Share Posted August 13, 2021 Hi BizzieLizzie - yes I could I guess but I'm not really keen on plug in USBs, plus my battery is li-ion so I'm not sure you can add a conditioner as you can for a standard battery. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrb00ns Posted August 13, 2021 Author Share Posted August 13, 2021 With many thanks to Stu for pointing out my real problem. I was looking for green...not white Now working, thanks for the help! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonathan Kay Posted August 13, 2021 Share Posted August 13, 2021 Well done."... my battery is li-ion so I'm not sure you can add a conditioner as you can for a standard battery. "Many smart conditioning chargers now have modes for lithium batteries.Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrb00ns Posted August 14, 2021 Author Share Posted August 14, 2021 Thanks Jonathan, useful to know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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