Fitting USB sockets in car dash

marlot

I'm fed up with car makers who think that a 12v cigarette socket is enough in this day and age. Especially as its nowhere near where I want it.

Has anyone seen any neat USB sockets which can be mounted in a car? All I want is to charge/power devices, so I don't need to connect it to the car stereo - it just needs to be powered by 12v (ie. have a voltage regulator included). I can find loads of hits of people who have made their own - but nothing which is quite what I want - a discreet surface mount USB with a couple of wires attached.

The best I've found so far is this - which takes 12v in one end and has a micro or mini USB plug on the other. http://www.powerlinkproducts.co.uk/hardwiredchargers.html
(this is not spam - I have nothing to do with this company)

Anyone seen anything better?

Norman_Castle

Loads on ebay. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mini-12V-24V-DC-USB-Port-Output-Car-Charger-Adapter-For-HTC-Samsung-Nokia-LG-/221004022724?pt=UK_MobilePhones_MobilePhoneAccessories_MobilePhoneChargers&hash=item3374ddc3c4

System

Norman_Castle wrote: »

Loads on ebay. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mini-12V-24V-DC-USB-Port-Output-Car-Charger-Adapter-For-HTC-Samsung-Nokia-LG-/221004022724?pt=UK_MobilePhones_MobilePhoneAccessories_MobilePhoneChargers&hash=item3374ddc3c4

+1
I have one of those permanently occupying my lighter socket. There are various similar ones around and the one I have fits virtually flush.

marlot

Oops - I missed the most important part of the requirement!

The 12v outlet in my car is nowhere near where I need the USB outlets - the whole reason I'm looking for a surface mounted USB is to get rid of the wires across the dash.

I'd like to put a USB up near the interior mirror, and one up near the base of the windscreen.

Norman_Castle

As ashtrays are now optional now in most cars it is strange that the 1" wide cigar lighter socket is still there. Smaller outputs make more sense and as the usb is now universal a selection around the car would be useful
OP, would usb extension leads work?

molerat

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Surface-Mount-DC-power-Voltmeter-USB-charger-socket-4WD-caravan-camper-marine-/390428093571?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item5ae753ec83
The usb in this the type of thing you want ?

Or buy one of these, take it apart and see what you can do http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/12v-HIGH-POWER-USB-UNIVERSAL-MINI-CAR-CHARGER-ADAPTER-/160619666747?pt=UK_MobilePhones_MobilePhoneAccessories_MobilePhoneChargers&hash=item2565ad9d3b
I would think the usb bit contains all the workings with a couple of wires going to the pins in the cig adaptor.

atrixblue.-MFR-.

your probably going to have to make your own.

first you would need to find a USB panel (from a PC front panel) or fleabay, make a mount point in the car, then solder the usb wires from the PC front panel to a low rated inline fuse, then onto a pos and neg somewhere just not the interior light as thats run of a on off switch in the door jam and youll wounder why it only works when the doors are open.

grizzly1911

Or get an inverter with USB and 3 pin output?

Strider590

I use the rear power socket (like a lighter socket), fit a 5v adaptor and run a modified USB cable (12/0.2 cable) under the drivers seat to power my Android phone when I use it as a sat nav.

Cost? About £6 (including the cables)

Smaller cars however tend not to have a spare socket near the rear seats.

marlot

After loads and loads of searching, I've found this which is the leading contender. Its a little bulkier than it needs to be because its waterproof.

http://www.cyclenutz.com/All-Weather-USB-Hardwire-Kit_p_475.html

marlot

Found a better solution. SHame about the price!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GPS-SatNav-LED-Hard-Wire-Car-12v-DC-converter-5v-3A-15W-USB-A-socket-wired-/251075235525?pt=UK_In_Car_Technology&hash=item3a75400ec5

Maybe its time to take a dremel to an existing adapter and make my own!