I have a Vauxhal Corsa 1.2. I want to be able to power a laptop via the cigarette lighter socket while the engine is switched off.
I have an ac/dc converter thing that works fine and powers the laptop perfectly.
However to get the cigarette lighter to work I have to have the car ignition switched on, either have the engine running or not running but all of the dashboard icons/lights on.
Running the engine while parked is a waste of fuel, etc.
My question is: Am I in danger of causing problems to the vehicle's electronics if I switch the car ignition on and leave it on for (maybe) an hour or so at a time without starting the engine, in order to power the laptop? Car battery life withstanding.
It would be quite simple to use a separate car battery with a standalone cigarette lighter socket so that I could plug the ac/dc converter in but I don't know where to get a cig'socket on its own.