Fitting USB sockets in car dash

Notmyrealname

Norman_Castle wrote: »

As ashtrays are now optional now in most cars it is strange that the 1" wide cigar lighter socket is still there.

No it isn't. It is a socket capable of supplying 10A which USB can't even come anywhere near doing. The "cig lighter" plug type is the most common plug on the entire planet for powering devices from the car.

marlot

But the only reason it is 1" across is because that was the standard 30 years ago, and car manufacturers are lousy at getting together and agreeing simple things which would benefit their customers.

The 1" across cigarette lighter socket isn't even a very good electrical connector!

im-lost

marlot wrote: »

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!

similar ones cost a few quid..

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_nkw=12v+to+5v+converter&_sacat=0&_odkw=mini+dc+converter+module&_osacat=0&_from=R40

I've got one on my scooter, just hook it up to a live feed, dash light wires etc
and you're good to go.

marlot

im-lost wrote: »

similar ones cost a few quid..

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_nkw=12v+to+5v+converter&_sacat=0&_odkw=mini+dc+converter+module&_osacat=0&_from=R40

I've got one on my scooter, just hook it up to a live feed, dash light wires etc
and you're good to go.

Perfect! Many, many thanks.

londonTiger

buy a car made in 2012,,, sorted

LincolnshireYokel

Whats wrong with one of these, plugs i nthe cig lighter, £1.40 inc postage, no bolloxing about

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/All-in-1-Universal-Car-Usb-Cigarette-Socket-Lighter-Mobile-Phone-Charger-Adapter-/230762613537?pt=UK_Computing_CablesConnectors_RL&hash=item35ba860b21

vikingaero

LincolnshireYokel wrote: »

Whats wrong with one of these, plugs i nthe cig lighter, £1.40 inc postage, no bolloxing about

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/All-in-1-Universal-Car-Usb-Cigarette-Socket-Lighter-Mobile-Phone-Charger-Adapter-/230762613537?pt=UK_Computing_CablesConnectors_RL&hash=item35ba860b21

It still uses the existing ciggy socket which means trailing wires all over the place and if the OP needs a socket above the rear view mirror then that means a cable in the line of sight.

I actually applaud marlot for wanting to do things properly instead of half arrised bodge jobs.

londonTiger

vikingaero wrote: »

It still uses the existing ciggy socket which means trailing wires all over the place and if the OP needs a socket above the rear view mirror then that means a cable in the line of sight.

I actually applaud marlot for wanting to do things properly instead of half arrised bodge jobs.

Cable will still need to connect the USB port (wherever it's located) into the gadget. The cable will still trail around. The best solution would be to have a embedded system. E.g. A dual bay stero that takes USB sticks and has a large built in satnav... stil leaves the phone though..

The only way I can see that you can have USB ports in the dash is to do a custom DIY job which can be messy given that a dash is typically one whole unit, so if you start drilling holes into it or burning through with a hot wire it could end up with crap results.

Also you have to get someone good with electrics to connect the USB ports to the alternator/battery.

Norman_Castle

This one is a bit expensive. At least its freepost.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/iPod-iPhone-Charge-Adapter-Converter-12V-to-5V-CTIPOD-/260530663453?pt=UK_MP3_Player_Accessories_Chargers_Docks&hash=item3ca8d6701d

Weird_Nev

The reason car manufacturers don't put power plug points of any type high up on the dash is because it encourages you to then put devices on the dash - over the dash/A-pillar air bags which then of course become projectiles should the airbags deploy in an accident.

So be careful where you put those devices when you have sorted out power for them!