Chris 16409
03-04-2015, 08:40 PM
Several Years ago when I removed my center console, I disconnected my cigarette lighter and never hooked it back up. As such, I lost the ability to plug one of those USB adapters into the accessory jack. Since the original jack doesn't play very nice with modern accessory plugs, many owners are installing the US spec cigarette lighters. My opinon is why should we have to go through a cigarette lighter port so we can charge our phones. It's also awkward having a plug sticking out. I started looking for an alternative. I thought there must be some box that exists that will negate having to use one of those USB adapters. I wanted to be able to use the existing cigarette lighter wiring to use as a power source for charging a phone. I found a solution that is for motorcycle applications. Here is the link to eBay:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/400701981756
33212
This can be had cheaper from a Chinese Seller, but I'd rather buy from a US seller. This is exactly what I wanted. I read posts online where people disassemble the cigarette lighter adapters and make their own charging port. That seemed like too much work. I never saw this product before because it never occurred to me to look at motorcycle accessories. Motorcycles don't' have cigarette lighters so they would need a converter box like this. But since it's 12 volt, it works just fine with a car. My only concern was, the cigarette lighter circuit is permanently so there is a possibility the converter box could drain the battery. Since I do not use my rear de-fogger, I decided to re-purpose that switch to turn the converter on & off.
33214
I am very happy with this modification. I am perfectly fine leaving the cigarette lighter deactivated. I just like it for the aesthetics.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/400701981756
33212
This can be had cheaper from a Chinese Seller, but I'd rather buy from a US seller. This is exactly what I wanted. I read posts online where people disassemble the cigarette lighter adapters and make their own charging port. That seemed like too much work. I never saw this product before because it never occurred to me to look at motorcycle accessories. Motorcycles don't' have cigarette lighters so they would need a converter box like this. But since it's 12 volt, it works just fine with a car. My only concern was, the cigarette lighter circuit is permanently so there is a possibility the converter box could drain the battery. Since I do not use my rear de-fogger, I decided to re-purpose that switch to turn the converter on & off.
33214
I am very happy with this modification. I am perfectly fine leaving the cigarette lighter deactivated. I just like it for the aesthetics.