Lighter socket

[daveismissing]

Anyone else frustrated with how incompatible most plug in devices are with the lighter socket.
If they don't have a metal ring on the end then they still have a flare at end to push the center contact to the sleeve.
 

[Steve Wood]

I'm always frustrated at how easily they short out the socket and blow the fuse

[TRICKSIXPA]

I've been looking around to see if I can find a USB socket to hard wire into the car. My lighter in the GN is good for one thing. Blowing a fuse!!

[SuperSix]

Might be a bit easier to put one of these in a discreet location, then use any one of the cig lighter > USB adapters available. You can plug other things into it too. Not sure you need the switches in the linked unit though.

Hack the 12V cable and hardwire it in.

http://dx.com/1-to-4-car-cigarette-lighter-splitter-with-individual-switch-2260

Look at all the crap you can plug in!
http://dx.com/c/car-accessories-799/cigarrette-powered-gadgets-705

[SuperSix]

Nice!

http://dx.com/triple-car-cigarette-sockets-power-adapter-with-usb-power-port-black-dc-12-24v-69143

[TRICKSIXPA]

Everything I got at home practically uses a USB charger. I have a factory USB connector on my new Silverado and it looks sharp and clean. I wonder how much GM is asking for one of those puppies from the Parts Dept??

[daveismissing]

We have a couple of similar (DX.com) we use on trips - they don't blow the fuse when plugging in.
Used to chain them together so the kids in the back seat could run gameboys etc.

I'm thinking I'm going to make a Kapton sleeve to cover the shell in the contact area inside the factory socket.

Taping off the metal-rings on such equipped devices I already do.
A self resetting circuit breaker fuse replacement will round out the strategy. 

[SuperSix]

I plan on mounting an inverter somewhere (400W or so) - and having both 120V and an array of sockets and USB charger plugs. I want to put an aux input for the stereo in too - I just need to design and build it.

[Steve Wood]

Most of us enjoy the cars simply by driving them...

You gonna replace the rear seat with a wide screen?

[SuperSix]

Most of us enjoy the cars simply by driving them...

You gonna replace the rear seat with a wide screen?

Multiple screens.

[SuperSix]

Part of my driving is an MP3 player, laptop logging/running Powerlogger, and I plan to make some long drives - need to keep various devices charged.

Just trying to get the Regal interior into this decade.

[Scoobum]

Only problem I had was the tire inflator popping the fuse at the track. I hacked off the plug and soldered a mini battery clamp to each wire...and hook 'em directly to the battery...prob lem solved. Battery in the new laptop lasts 3 hours...so I'm good to go.

[Steve Wood]

start with cup holders

[SuperSix]

Ahh - of course.

I use one of these in the Cadillac (A 92 luxury car - still no factory cup holders) Wedges between the console and the seat on the passenger side. Works good, gets a little snug when someone is sitting in the passenger seat.
http://www.amazon.com/Seat-Wedge-Cup-Holder-Grey/dp/B0055AW0N0/ref=sr_1_1?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1332957021&sr=1-1

I plan to save up for one of the console risers with integrated cup holders. I could use the elbow rest too.

[Steve Wood]

Once I was cruising down the freeway in heavy traffic holding a Dr Pepper cup between my legs...jammed the straw down trying to finish it off....bad idea with a styrofoam cup....