Patent ID: 8207626

Claim:
A device for activating an electronic odometer of a vehicle without using a power source residing on the vehicle, the device comprising: (a) an auxiliary electrical power source; (b) a load circuit electrically connected to the auxiliary power source, the load circuit comprising: i. at least one power output connecting the auxiliary power source to the odometer; and ii. a control relay electrically connected in series intermediate the auxiliary power source and said at least one power output for opening and closing an electrical connection between the auxiliary power source and said at least one power output in response to a control input; (c) a fault protection circuit electrically connected to the auxiliary power source and electrically in parallel with the load circuit, the fault protection circuit comprising: i. a current-limiting circuit for limiting the current in the fault protection circuit to a predetermined maximum value; and ii. a trigger module electrically connected in series intermediate the current-limiting circuit and the control relay for providing the control input to the control relay in response to a trigger input.