traxtar928

My 12V socket for powered accessories like phone chargers, radar detectors, etc doesn't have a great connection. Connectors tend to be loose-fitting and don't have consistent amperage. For example, I have an amperage app on my phone to read the power coming in from a charger, and it will fluctuate from 300mA to 1200mA when I wiggle the connector in the socket.

Has anyone replaced the socket with something more modern that still looks completely stock? If so, what components did you use? Perhaps someone can link to a write-up I wasn't able to find using search? Thanks all.

dr bob

I added a couple accessory outlets in the passenger-side tray, using commonly-available pieces that came from Waytek wiring products. Any RV or boat place will have them. 928 International graciously sent me a tray to do the surgery on, so my unmolested original one is in the used/takeoff spares box. I wired one of the outlets in parallel with the original, the other to always-on power. Both are separately fused at 5 amps, BTW, so they are just for low-power accessories. Having them separate from the outlet in the ashtray area means I don't have the little ashtray door up and an ugly cord and plug stuck in there.

Putting the outlets high on the front face of the tray means they are out of normal sight when not in use. They have plastic plug/covers so random junk on the tray won't get in and short them out. My radar detector cord is hardwired already, so these are for a GPS and for phone charging. You can put in several in the available space if you need more.


Note that the original outlet/lighter is slighly larger than "standard" US outlets. You can sometimes cheat a little by reforming the ground contacts in your accessory plugs, but the fit will never be right. The original lighter is also larger to fit that outlet, as is the plug on your factory spare-tire compressor. If you do decide to try a replacement in the original location, make sure that the compressor you use will actually function with the new socket.

hacker-pschorr

That's why I have a couple of these:

77tony

might want to add a USB socket.02 T

traxtar928

You can't just say that without providing details on how I can purchase one myself!

Randy V

The stock accessory is called a 'cigar lighter', and thus a bit larger diameter than the standard 'cigarette lighter' socket.

Wisconsin Joe

Hmmm...

How would I find something like that?

Something like a sleeve for a car lighter?

How could I, I don't know, search for something like that?


https://www.google.com/webhp?sourcei...lighter+sleeve

Petza914

When I did my center console, I installed my Boost and AFR Gauge into a custom plate I made that replaces the Ashtray, and in this, I installed 2 powered USB ports - one horizontal above the guages and a vertical one between them - pretty stealth unless you're looking for them or there's a cord plugged in. They works great. I also removed the secondary warning light next to the clock and installed a 12v Power Outlet there that has a cover so it's not open unless in use. Also replaced the round clock with an outside temp guage since my radio has a built in one.

WallyP

Back in the day, a laptop with a good nav program driven by a GPS puck was the way to go on long trips. (That got obsolete pretty quickly!)

I bought a neat black box with a heavy lighter cord powering three outlets, with each outlet having a snap-on cover. I cut off the lighter plug and hard-wired (with an in-line fuse) to the audio power connection under the right sill cover. The cord is long enough to drop the box on the passenger seat, the front floor, the rear floor, or slip it under the passenger seat.

77tony

Pete, That looks great and appears to be the same head unit I'm running in Just Peachy.. I don't spend the extra $$ on head units for Nav. Running www.waze.com on the cell that handles both Nav and police detection. T

Petza914

Thanks Tony, yup, same here, Bluetooth audio streaming and Waze for guidance. My unit is a JVC KD77 I think and it just fits with the center console trim piece without being cut so I didn't have to destroy that hard to find item in order to make it work with the DIN stereo. I use a Steelie magneitc mount that holds my phone just below the receiver screen (it's the silver ball just below the outside temp gauge) and use a short USB cord to one of the ports I installed in the ashtray gauge panel. I also have a backup-camera on my license plate frame with IR lighting and have it tied into the display on the stereo head unit so when I shift into reverse it automatically displays the view behind me.

traxtar928

Ahh smart guy Joe from Wisconsin! I'm surprised you didn't link up LMGTFY. Of course I searched google first!

I see people on other forums making an adapter piece out of 1" plastic tube.

Still, I'm getting the feeling that there are no stock-looking replacements... as all the recommendations so far have involved custom center consoles, which isn't the route I'd like to take. Still hopeful that there's a way to graft in a '12v accessory outlet' to replace the 'cigar/cigarette lighter'.

hacker-pschorr

I'll smack him for you at the next cars in coffee

I have no idea where I got mine from. I think they came with a radar detector or two years ago. I've always had these around.

I've used subscriptions cards from magazines in the past. Rip off a corner, fold it over a few times and shove it in there until the plug is tight.

Randy V

Very popular event.

NC928S4

Just completed modifications to my ashtray to replace cigarette lighter with the dual USB from Waytek. Had to do a lot of work with the dremel but the result is great. The USB has a blue LED backlight which I'm still deciding if I like.