Greetings All,

Has anybody here replaced their stock cigarette lighter with a USB port? I'm not looking for one of those devices that plugs into the existing lighter socket. They never seem to make good contact.

I'm looking to remove the complete lighter socket and permanently replace it with a hard-wired USB port like this:

https://www.amazon.com/BlueFire%C2%A...s=Usb+port+car

I don't need the cover, but it's no big deal to cut if off if needed.

The main catch is the existing hole next to the ashtray is only 7/8" diameter, and there isn't much room to expand it. Most of the USB ports I've seen either fit a 1" hole or bigger, or no dimensions are listed.

If somebody has found a USB port that will fit a 7/8" diameter opening, please let me know. A single port would be okay, although a dual would be nice if available.

 

I have not looked at the ash tray in my truck but could you remove the tray part and make a flat panel to fit something like this in?
https://www.amazon.com/BlueFire®-Wat...iglink20368-20
You would then still be able to keep the lighter socket for other equipment like GPS that plugs into a lighter.


In DD & big rig I drive for work I use the lighter outlet with 2 "Y's" so I have 3 outlets. 1 for phone charging, 1 for GPS and last is open most of the time but I plug in my CB in to it as it has a lighter plug to move from truck to truck and don't need to hard wire it. Or I can plug in my blue tooth head set for charging when the CB is not plugged in.


Or maybe make a plate/bracket that will bolt to the bottom side of the dash like some gauges are mounted and mount the USB port in it.
You then get to keep the lighter for when it is needed.
Dave ----

 

I may have spoken too soon with my disdain for the plug-in USB thingies. I was getting ready to modify the ashtray housing to accept a hard-wired USB port but got lazy. I thought I'd see if could make a plug-in device work reliably. Turns out it was a piece of cake, and I can still use the original lighter if I so desire.

The trick was to give the lighter socket a thorough cleaning. I already had the socket assembly removed from the ashtray housing. Undo one small nut on the back, and you can completely disassemble the guts of the lighter socket. With the base removed, I gave it a proper cleaning with a small wire brush in a Dremel tool. I also ran the brush up and down the inside bore of the socket for a good ground. When I was done, it was as clean as the day it left the factory.

I also noticed something that helps hold any plug-in piece into the socket. The opposite sides of the socket wall have two concave slots that bow out slightly. The plug-in piece has two protruding prongs designed to fit into those concave slots, and more or less lock it into place. The trick is to rotate the plug-in piece so the matching pieces align.

On my cheap little plug-in USB thingy, the two protruding prongs are on the sides when the USB slot is horizontal. When I assembled the lighter socket to the ashtray frame, I positioned the concave slots so they were also horizontal. Voila! The plug-in piece practically locks into the socket now, and makes a very reliable electrical connection.

I also make a minor wiring mod so I wouldn't have to worry about draining the battery if I left the USB thingy plugged in. Instead of having the lighter socket always powered, I wanted it hot only with the key in Run or Acc.

I removed the existing positive connector (always hot) from the back of the lighter socket and capped and stowed it. Then I ran a new connector and wire and spliced it into wire 296 at the nearby speed control amplifier, which is under the edge of the dash just to the left of the ashtray. Even if your truck doesn't have speed control, I bet the wiring harness is there:

Speed Control - ???Gary's Garagemahal


Please note fuse #6 is mislabeled in that diagram, as mentioned at this next link. Fuse #6 is actually hot in Run or Acc:

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...-fuse-6-a.html


For the new connector and wire, I purchased a 787147 pigtail from NAPA. It had the correct 90 connector and a wire approximately 10" long, which was perfect to reach wire 296 below the conveniently located speed control amplifier:

https://www.napaonline.com/napa/en/p...?interchange=1

It's pretty slick to have reliable USB power now, and to have it automatically turn off when the key is removed. I think part of the reason lighter sockets are so unreliable as a power source is from tarnishing due to heat. Since I rarely use the lighter, hopefully this won't be a problem in the future.

 

Nice writeup!! Appreciate the good detail!

 

Good heads-up thinking on that!

 

Thanks, glad you liked it. Here's a pic to explain the protruding prongs on the adapter, and the concave slots on the sidewall of the receptacle. I looked at some aftermarket lighter sockets and they didn't have the concave slots, so the factory socket is probably best for getting a good lock. Note how shiny that freshly cleaned brass button is at the base of the socket. I had to wear sunglasses to get this pic:

 

I installed a USB outlet in My street glide special, and of course amazon doesn't spec sizes very well, i had to enlarge the hole to accept the double USB but this wasn't the crappy part.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I also bought a usb tester when i bought the plug. One outlet claims 1 amp, other claims 2.1.
I tried various various items, at various states of charge, as well as a gopro with a hogmount case that you must remove the battery to use, and i could never get the 2.1 outlet to output over .997-1.001