Has anyone installed a USB socket for charging phones etc? I am thinking of installing one in the +2 glove box so it’s out of site, possibly where the secret switch was.
Why not get one of those cigarette lighter inserts that give you a USB supply? Not hidden but no wiring and fully reversible.
That?s what I?ve been using for a few years. Works well
I find that many of the adapters that fit into lighter sockets are great because they can deliver a high charging amperage, often 2-2.4A. The USB sockets built into most modern cars only deliver something around 1.4A, so phones don’t charge much, especially when used for navigating. I’ve learned this from a few years of spending most working days traveling in rental-cars.
There’s two kinds of Cig-Lighter USB converters going around. One type has a simple voltage dropper and gets hot even when nothing USB is plugged into it, the other better one has a miniature switch-mode power supply inside and does not get hot.
I have bought versions of both, each with TWO output USB sockets.
Sorry they are unbranded probably Chinese things so I can’t describe easily which one to buy.
Here?s what you need to hardwire a USB socket:
I bought a similar one, dual output with screw holes for fixing the connectors. I am yet to fit it anywhere, plan is probably in modified radio face plate so i can power phones while on the move.
The output of that is only 1A. Charging will be puny.
Rather than a USB I installed a flush mounted lighter-sized socket in the glove box (where the secret switch was mounted). Had the dash on the bench at the time. Just use one of the USB adapters (double outlet with high and low current) within the socket as required. I think I wired it to Green - Hot in run & start, fused rather than Purple - Hot at all times, fused. That way no risk of draining the battery or whatever when I forget something is plugged in with the glovebox closed.
HTH
Stu