What's the best cig USB charger plug that's flush?

[Redsquall]

Or is it better to replace the lighter with a USB unit for a more professional look?

[WHO1DMC]

Be careful. You definitely don't want one that has a metal retaining ring at the bottom it will short out.


Dave B.

[Ratrace427]

I prefer the double outlet versions. also you need to get a 2.5 amp output. some of the cheaper ones are low amp and won't fast charge your hardware.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

[DMC-Ron]

I installed one that fits our European type B lighter. Not completely flush but ends up looking like the original lighter. Here's a link to the thread with photos:

http://dmctalk.org/showthread.php?15043-Cigaretter-lighter-accessory-port-issues/page2

It looks like the amazon link stopped working. Here is a newer link:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00M6QODH2/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Ron

[Jonathan]

I installed one that fits our European type B lighter. Not completely flush but ends up looking like the original lighter. Here's a link to the thread with photos:

http://dmctalk.org/showthread.php?15043-Cigaretter-lighter-accessory-port-issues/page2

It looks like the amazon link stopped working. Here is a newer link:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00M6QODH2/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Ron

A couple questions:

1.) Do you just leave it in place all the time, even when not being used? (Assuming it isn't putting any kind of load on the electrical system if nothing is plugged into it?)
2.) How do you get it out when you want to remove it? (If sitting as close to flush as possible there's not much to grab onto to... does it "pop" out like a hot cigar lighter would?)

I still use the cigar lighter end adapter for a couple of my gadgets (GPS mainly). When it's not being used, I put a little plastic cap over it just for appearances. Sort of like a "dummy" lighter the way we have a couple dummy window switches. I got it off of eBay from China and it was about $2. Better than the $16 the local BMW dealership wanted as that was where I got the idea originally after seeing something like this in a car in their showroom. Took an eternity to get here from overseas though, but it finally did.

547485474954750

[FABombjoy]

If you find a charger that you like but it doesn't fit snguly, I posted a little hack (http://dmctalk.org/showthread.php?14236-Cigarette-lighter-accessory-charger-lifehack) that works with many devices.

Should work with anything having a negative mechanism like this (https://securethumbs.ebay.com/d/l225/m/m6Xa1ybl_vgN-Za9sDW1Lmg.jpg). Doesn't work with adapters like this (http://www.t-nb.com/13567-large_default/4-8a-2-usb-cigar-lighter-charger.jpg), tho.

[bfloyd]

When I redid my stereo back in the winter of 2015-16, I installed a hard-wired 12v USB charging port in the metal console ashtray. I've got the actual 12v charging power supply thing installed in the relay compartment, and the USB / HDMI socket installed in the ashtray. When it's not in use, I can slide the metal cover shut and you can't tell it's even there.

I found this rubber molded USB/HDMI combo socket thing on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00S6I1872/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1, and the USB wire goes back to the relay compartment under the console, and the HDMI cable goes under the console up to the rear of the new stereo head unit. My Jensen VX4012 stereo can to HDMI / MHL mirroring, so I can literally plug my phone into my console, and whatever is on my phone screen, shows up on my stereo video screen. Since the stereo video screen is also a touch screen, I can control the phone from the stereo screen if I wanted to.

https://i.imgur.com/FQlv0pgl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/dO4BBINl.jpg

[bfloyd]

For what it's worth, you can get a replacement 12v lighter socket for the console that is a direct plug-n-play drop in replacement for the Delorean lighter socket, but has the right diameter socket for US 12v accessories from the GoWesty.com website for $17 and some change. It's the Volkwagon Vanagon forums page, but it works perfectly in our cars. Same green illuminated trim ring too. Wiring is the exact same as ours.

http://www.gowesty.com/product-details.php?v=&id=4471

[Jonathan]

For what it's worth, you can get a replacement 12v lighter socket for the console that is a direct plug-n-play drop in replacement for the Delorean lighter socket, but has the right diameter socket for US 12v accessories from the GoWesty.com website for $17 and some change. It's the Volkwagon Vanagon forums page, but it works perfectly in our cars. Same green illuminated trim ring too. Wiring is the exact same as ours.

http://www.gowesty.com/product-details.php?v=&id=4471

I can vouch for those GoWesty units also. I got one in 2011 and have not had any trouble with it at all. Great price and your North American style power plugs don't pop out unexpectedly!

[DMC-Ron]

A couple questions:

1.) Do you just leave it in place all the time, even when not being used? (Assuming it isn't putting any kind of load on the electrical system if nothing is plugged into it?)
2.) How do you get it out when you want to remove it? (If sitting as close to flush as possible there's not much to grab onto to... does it "pop" out like a hot cigar lighter would?)

I still use the cigar lighter end adapter for a couple of my gadgets (GPS mainly). When it's not being used, I put a little plastic cap over it just for appearances. Sort of like a "dummy" lighter the way we have a couple dummy window switches. I got it off of eBay from China and it was about $2. Better than the $16 the local BMW dealership wanted as that was where I got the idea originally after seeing something like this in a car in their showroom. Took an eternity to get here from overseas though, but it finally did.

547485474954750

1. I leave it in place. I measured the current draw (with nothing plugged in) at 1 mA (0.001 amps).
2. It comes out easily. Thumb and forefinger on the rim and it will pull right out. My lighter socket is in good condition. If you were to have a little corrosion I would lube the charger with some Corrosion X or some other product that will protect and act as anti-seize.

Ron

[Robmac123]

I use the Griffin brand dual USB adaptors as they're very neat and push almost all the way into the socket. They stick out abou 1/4", just enough to get a hold of it to remove it if you need to.
No tacky led lights or chrome trims on them, just plain black, and they output 2x2.1a so are the higher powered USB's.
I picked them up for about $5 each, Amazon has them for $7

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0042B9U8Q/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1512231828&sr=8-3&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=griffin+usb+car+charger&dpPl=1&dpID=41fhFPQIZ9L&ref=plSrch

[DMC-Ron]

I use the Griffin brand dual USB adaptors as they're very neat and push almost all the way into the socket. They stick out abou 1/4", just enough to get a hold of it to remove it if you need to.
No tacky led lights or chrome trims on them, just plain black, and they output 2x2.1a so are the higher powered USB's.
I picked them up for about $5 each, Amazon has them for $7

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0042B9U8Q/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1512231828&sr=8-3&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=griffin+usb+car+charger&dpPl=1&dpID=41fhFPQIZ9L&ref=plSrch

Just a note: The link brings up a charger with two 1.0 amp ports, so this is not a 2X2.1a. Also there is no mention that this charger fits the type B European receptacle. The Aukey product in my previous post costs $2 more but has these features.

[Robmac123]

Just a note: The link brings up a charger with two 1.0 amp ports, so this is not a 2X2.1a. Also there is no mention that this charger fits the type B European receptacle. The Aukey product in my previous post costs $2 more but has these features.

I hadn't clicked on the link for the Aukey one when I posted before. Visually it's almost identical to the Griffin, nice and plain. So many of them look tacky with led lights and chrome etc.
I'm sure there's a 2.1a version of the Griffin, as I have a couple I bought in England, but the Aukey one would be just as good (or better if the 2.1a griffin one isn't available here)

[dodint]

I use the Aukey in my BMW and it has served me well on many long road trips.

[Shep]

Aukey and Anker make top-of-the-line automotive power supplies. Top two competing companies there, if you want serious quality, the link Ron posted in #4 is the way to go.

Now if you have a Samsung device and want to support fast charging, things change a bit. Flush, you can only do the one:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01KZHKF4I/

If you need dual, it has to stick out a bit:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01B2BMIMS/

Sticks out about half an inch / 14mm, size of pic is deceiving, it's quite small.

Anker might have some options, didn't explore them for this, but their offerings almost identically match Aukey these days. By the way, iPads charge at 5.1A, so manage expectations accordingly. Phones charge well at about 2A, tablets or anything with a bigger screen though...