Additional Power Points

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qyiet

454 posts

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#157124 20-Nov-2014 16:07

I have little Peugeot 206, and I'm starting to run out of power for my gadgets in it.

I've got my cellphone cradle and dashcam currently running off it's cigarette lighter, but I'd like to put in a second dashcam (rear facing). I'd also like to free up the USB socket on the cigarette adapter that the first dashcam is taking for random other gadgets that need power.

What is the best way for me to get some additional USB compatible supplies in my car?

Warning: reality may differ from above post

heylinb4nz

656 posts

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#1180212 20-Nov-2014 16:24

2 of these

http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Black-White-5V-2-1A-USB-Port-4-Way-Car-Cigarette-Lighter-Socket-Car-Charger-Adapter/1356577632.html

plus one of these

http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Tirol-4-way-port-Van-Car-Cigarette-Lighter-Extension-Socket-Splitter-Lighter-Power-Adapter-USB2-0/1745734006.html

= Plenty of ports for everything.

Sidestep

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#1180215 20-Nov-2014 16:29

Do you want more car power point (12v cigarette lighter style) that you can plug USB adaptors into?
Or do you want to hardwire 5v USB style outlets?

Both types are available.

In one of my vehicles I've wired in 3 extra of the 12V types, 2 permanently on ( fused supply from battery) and one extra ign powered (through a relay) to supplement the original one on the console, and 1 extra in the back - for the kids devices.

Can never have too many outlets. I prefer the 12V type as there are all sorts of things to use in them.
Positioning avoids wires hanging all over the truck.

qyiet

454 posts

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#1180217 20-Nov-2014 16:34

Sidestep: Do you want more car power point (12v cigarette lighter style) that you can plug USB adaptors into?
Or do you want to hardwire 5v USB style outlets?

Either would do, the dashcams are powered by 5v USB, but have adapters

Warning: reality may differ from above post

Sidestep

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#1180222 20-Nov-2014 16:46

The big thing for me was cables everywhere.

Dashcam, wife's iPad, my tablet etc all running through a USB multi adaptor from the front console, the kids iPods plugged in to the one rear outlet.

I now have one roof mounted outlet, one passenger side, two center front, two centr rear.

The other annoying thing was ignition switched supply.
Every time I switched the ignition on or off there'd be a chorus of beeps & chirps.

Now I just have to make sure nothing's left on in the permanently supplied outlets..

qyiet

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#1180223 20-Nov-2014 16:55

I'd want to stick with an ignition switched supply.. I don't like the idea of being in hurry and killing the battery running an iPod or something.

Where can I get the bits to install additional parts like that?

Warning: reality may differ from above post

Sidestep

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#1180228 20-Nov-2014 17:07

Most auto supply places, auto electricians should have everything you'll need.

The hardest part is running the wiring so it doesn't look messy.

I ended up removing some of the interior trim, kick plates, sills to run the wiring out of sight.
Ran a heavier wire from the battery to a distribution box inside the firewall.

I also made up a couple of mounting plates to solidly mount the outlets. They came with crappy screw on mounts that looked cheap. They look better flush mounted.

floydbloke

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#1180313 20-Nov-2014 20:05

On my SX4 I converted the passenger reading light into a wired mini-USB so I could tuck the dash cam behind the mirror without a long cable dangling down to the cigarette lighter socket. Used a voltage regulator with a little heatsink plus a couple of smoothing capacitors, and a wee red indicator led, that fortunately all fitted nicely into the roof cavity with the led showing through the lamp 'lens'. Has the added advantage that I can wsitch it on/off independently of the ignition switch. Total cost less than $5, looks like this:

Did Eric Clapton really think she looked wonderful...or was it after the 15th outfit she tried on and he just wanted to get to the party and get a drink?