Hi all,

 

I am wondering if anyone has replaced their cigarette lighter with a USB socket and if it's a simple thing to do? Or as an alternative, is it OK to leave a USB charger permanently in there? Something like this https://www.halfords.com/technology/mobile-phone-accessories/universal-charging/halfords-usb-car-charger-socket-1-amp-black. The one I have sits pretty much flush and looks nice. So I would happily leave it in there providing it doesn't drain the battery. 

 

I have noticed if a passenger connects their phone via the existing USB port just to charge it. I cannot have my phone connected via Bluetooth to play music because it gets overridden. However they could use the cigarette lighter port instead. 

 

Thanks, 

I have a USB charger like the one in your link plugged permanently into my car.  Have had no battery issues.

5 minutes ago, SM8475 said:

I have a USB charger like the one in your link plugged permanently into my car.  Have had no battery issues.

 

Thanks good to know. I may just do this to avoid attempting to replace the whole thing.  

1A is not enough for most modern devices. Go check out the Anker stuff on Amazon; should be less than a tenner for a half-decent one and one with QuickCharge 3.0 is around £15. Worth it. 

 

 - Bret

There are many different USB power adapters and prices available for the cigarette lighter socket and, basically, you get what you pay for.

 

A cheap adapter will only provide up to 500mA which is enough for powering a small device or slowly charging a phone.

 

You need to know the power requirements of any device that will be plugged in. For example, my satnav needs > 500mA to run and charge it's internal battery. Because of this, I now have an adapter that can provide up to 2.4A and this is plenty to power my satnav and charge my phone.

 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01LW2JVQL/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

There has never been a problem leaving this device in the socket 24/7.

 

Good luck

 

I have just checked this and it's not in stock, but it gives an idea of the cost and power.

Edited 26 September, 20187 yr by JD52

2 minutes ago, brettikivi said:

1A is not enough for most modern devices. Go check out the Anker stuff on Amazon; should be less than a tenner for a half-decent one and one with QuickCharge 3.0 is around £15. Worth it. 

 

 - Bret

 

Thanks, the link I put up isn't the exact one I have, it was just to show the shape . The one I have is more powerful so will leave it in and see what happens and hopefully not drain the car battery. 

2 minutes ago, JimmyN said:

 

Thanks, the link I put up isn't the exact one I have, it was just to show the shape . The one I have is more powerful so will leave it in and see what happens and hopefully not drain the car battery. 

 

This is one of the one's I have but it has LED lights on it, so hoping it doesn't continuously draw power when the car is not being used. https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00Q2GFP4M/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

5 minutes ago, JimmyN said:

 

This is one of the one's I have but it has LED lights on it, so hoping it doesn't continuously draw power when the car is not being used. https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00Q2GFP4M/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

The car has been left for more than two weeks without issues

Mine has had a dual USB plugged in for 2 years and no issues. It's sometimes handy to be able to swap it back to a 12v socket for other things to plug in. Just buy a USB adapter and leave it in.

I have a little box on lead thing and the plug in the socket has a hard wired button and a volt meter.  I have 2 phone cables, my fitness band cable and my dash cam plugged into the box.  just remember to urn it on/off when needed and powers everything well.  Although not had everything running at once yet.