Does this stay live all the time or just with the ignition on?

Why not plug something in with a light (e.g. phone charger) and test it?

I wouldn't be wasting your time if I had one. The only thing I have is the charger for my night searcher torch, and that doesn't have a light on it. And that's the problem. Upto now I've had it always plugged in, but I recently flattened  the 3 month old  car battery and I'm wondering if that is the cause.

Edited 25 April, 201412 yr by Trev2

The one inside the car is a permanent live. I can only assume the boot on is on the same circuit

Thank you, I'd best not leave the torch plugged in.

Boot one certainly is live all the time.