B7 Center Console - USB Chargers

[A4orce84]

Hey Guys,

Looking to mount some USB Chargers in the following location behind the cigarette lighter:


I'm looking for some that have an "OEM-Like" fit and finish. Does anyone have any recommendations for some that mount flush and have a minimum of 2 amps?

Thanks in advance!

--Asif

[Sanjman]

No offense man but why? Can't you just get this and plug it in under your center arm rest?

[A4orce84]

Does not answer my question. I know there are cigarette lighter adapters out there, that is not what I am after.

[naiku]

You might have to make something yourself, pick up some female USB connectors from somewhere like monoprice, grab a power supply from eBay and tap that into the wiring going to the back of the cigarette lighter, mount the power supply under the center console and then cut a couple slots in the top of that piece that you can mount the connector to. Pick up a couple of these:



Or you could even see if this will work and just flush mount the 2 USB ports:

[Roaldtm]

No offense man but why? Can't you just get this and plug it in under your center arm rest?

I have this and works like a charm for me. Could you be a little more specific about your intent? if is just for power then this will work fine as I mentioned before, please elaborate your question.

[naiku]

I have this and works like a charm for me. Could you be a little more specific about your intent? if is just for power then this will work fine as I mentioned before, please elaborate your question.

I think he wants something that looks like it was there from the factory, a cigarette charger is not that regardless of how well they work. So that the USB plugs look similar to this:

[Sanjman]

If he wants a setup for multimedia then that's fine but for charging only is overkill especially somewhere where no one ever looks or notices. But to each his own. away

You will need something like the link below.

You will need a dremel and sandpaper to make a perfect rectangle. Or find one with a trim piece that hides the holes.


http://m.ebay.com/itm/321476387414?nav=SEARCH

[J.Owen]

Double Apex USB Pass Through.

http://www.doubleapex.co/collections...sthrough_usb01

This is for a VW and is meant to replace a dead switch, but you could probably reach out and see if they have anything that might work. I used to work with Chris and he is a good guy.

[A4orce84]

Hey Guys,

Thanks for all the responses. Yes, I'm looking for something a bit more fit/finish than just an adapter. I wasn't sure if anyone out there made their own custom plugs for the center console.

Just trying to see if anyone has anything they are proud of / can recommend. =)


Thanks,
Asif

[drumnjuny]

oh man, this is awesome. i definitely am going to install a USB slot for charging when i do my aux port install. i'll probably just use a usb extension (male to female cable) and then JB weld the shit out of it into place so it won't go anywhere LOL.

[trj]

oh man, this is awesome. i definitely am going to install a USB slot for charging when i do my aux port install. i'll probably just use a usb extension (male to female cable) and then JB weld the shit out of it into place so it won't go anywhere LOL.

Not in B7 but I did something similar to my e46. Unfortunately, I have a symphony II system with cassette player so this is not a mod I can do until I get symphony II+ or after market head unit.

Here is what I have done in my e46.

USB:
Buy a small cigarette lighter charger, cut the cover (just to remove the connectors to cigarette lighter port) and leave the wires connecting to the circuit board and top part with USB port intact, Remove the glovebox, make a hole, tap an empty slot at fuse box and connect it to the wires at the charger, attach the USB charger to the hole you made in the glovebox.

Aux:
Buy a 3.5mm female receptor at radioshack, connect the TRS of the 3.5mm female jack to the aux out wires to the head unit, make a hole in the glovebox, attach the 3.5mm female jack to the glovebox.

Buy cable for the iPhone/droid whatever:
A cable that uses one single port from the phone, and splits into USB and aux (3.5mm male), connect the ends to the USB and aux ports you just made in the glove box.
Something like this:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/iPod-iPhone-...item2578e8ea28

You have flexibility of a separate aux device and charging another device at the same time or charge and run aux in from the same device with a single cable. Cable stays in the glovebox when not in use.
Moreover, the audio signal coming from the charging port is line level on the iPhones so audio is much better than using the headphone jack.

[Charles.waite]

I know someone recently did a very stealth install of some USB chargers in the ashtray area, but I can't remember if it was a b6 or a b7.

I think he just bought some USB pigtails like these:


and cut the square end off and just soldered the power pins into a small harness and wired it into switched power from the cigarette lighter.

[pw211]

As someone who DIY'd the AUX port and understands doing that, I have to agree this makes no sense.. Unless you somehow remove the cigarette lighter port, why not use it?

[drumnjuny]

As someone who DIY'd the AUX port and understands doing that, I have to agree this makes no sense.. Unless you somehow remove the cigarette lighter port, why not use it?

what if you do it at the same time? and just tap the cig lighter port?

that's what i'm gonna do. i pulled my motor a few weeks ago so confidence is high on this one

[Charles.waite]

what if you do it at the same time? and just tap the cig lighter port?

that's what i'm gonna do. i pulled my motor a few weeks ago so confidence is high on this one

haha. Its so easy a caveman can do it....

[srcrash715]

Not really hidden but I have mine routed through a space up where the buttons are.

[drumnjuny]

nice, not really my style though. it would bug me if it wasn't perfectly matching i'm gonna jb weld the aux port and usb charge slot to the center console methinks. or under my ash tray maybe if i get lazy

[pw211]

what if you do it at the same time? and just tap the cig lighter port?

that's what i'm gonna do. i pulled my motor a few weeks ago so confidence is high on this one

My issue is more that if you do it, what the hell are you gonna do with your cigarette lighter port? Like its just sitting there.. so you're not cleaning anything up because you are just adding more plugs.. If you could find a way to fill in the hole of the cigarette lighter thing, and then install the USB port under that flap, that would be a cool (although useless) project. I just have my GoPro car charger that has two USB ports in it, and it stays plugged in.. Plus its under the arm rest so no one even sees it.

[srcrash715]

Ive thought about making it more stealthy but ive already put the center console back in. After this interior upgrade is finished I would rather not have to pull anything else apart lol

[ryanhmusic]

Not really hidden but I have mine routed through a space up where the buttons are.

what happened to you while you were taking these photos??
I feel like this could look much much better if you had mounted the USB to the blank button so it looked a little more OEM. But if it were me, I'd have probably routed it to back by the cigarette lighter, the ash tray, or the glovebox [for USB storage]. For charging, I probably would have sent it to the cigarette lighter area like the OP is talking about. Flush mounted USB is a cleaner look than using a cig adapter, and its a fun / cheap / simple project.

[pw211]

what happened to you while you were taking these photos??
I feel like this could look much much better if you had mounted the USB to the blank button so it looked a little more OEM. But if it were me, I'd have probably routed it to back by the cigarette lighter, the ash tray, or the glovebox [for USB storage]. For charging, I probably would have sent it to the cigarette lighter area like the OP is talking about. Flush mounted USB is a cleaner look than using a cig adapter, and its a fun / cheap / simple project.

Maybe he took it with one of these:

[drumnjuny]

My issue is more that if you do it, what the hell are you gonna do with your cigarette lighter port? Like its just sitting there.. so you're not cleaning anything up because you are just adding more plugs.. If you could find a way to fill in the hole of the cigarette lighter thing, and then install the USB port under that flap, that would be a cool (although useless) project. I just have my GoPro car charger that has two USB ports in it, and it stays plugged in.. Plus its under the arm rest so no one even sees it.

i like that i don't have to store the usb -> cig charger thing. plus i have a pet peeve about leaving the cig lighter adapter in the one in front for any real amount of time b/c i don't like having my ashtray up, and i'm always paranoid about the spring loaded door putting pressure on the adapter which is putting pressure on the socket under the armrest (never liked spring loaded doors for plug spots, just puts pressure on everything no idea why people make those especially ours which is so heavy)

sexiness + universal + costs me like $5.99 usb cable that i'll chop up, and somewhat free to install since i'm doing the aux port anyway... plus its just a modern cool thing to have haha.

[drumnjuny]

Ive thought about making it more stealthy but ive already put the center console back in. After this interior upgrade is finished I would rather not have to pull anything else apart lol

got any pics of it fully assembled? with $650+core swap trim i have high expectations of the console once assembled! haha (read: i'm jelly and i want ocarbon)

[srcrash715]

what happened to you while you were taking these photos??
I feel like this could look much much better if you had mounted the USB to the blank button so it looked a little more OEM. But if it were me, I'd have probably routed it to back by the cigarette lighter, the ash tray, or the glovebox [for USB storage]. For charging, I probably would have sent it to the cigarette lighter area like the OP is talking about. Flush mounted USB is a cleaner look than using a cig adapter, and its a fun / cheap / simple project.

I guess i moved the phone a bit when i took the picture. It doesnt look as out of place with usb in it but it also is the cleanest I'll admit. I thought about mounting it in a blank button and may still do that. But i currently have to many other projects going on to do it.

[srcrash715]

Maybe he took it with one of these:

Ahhh how'd you know!?

[srcrash715]

got any pics of it fully assembled? with $650+core swap trim i have high expectations of the console once assembled! haha (read: i'm jelly and i want ocarbon)

Negative, still waiting .Currently my interior has no trim, back seats, passenger seat, glove box, armrest and a bunch of tools scattered all over the trunk. It is not a pretty sight right now. I am hoping I get the trim, seats and new armrest all at once so I can knock it all out in one go.

[drumnjuny]

get a blank button!!! small cut out, would make it look a lot more flush that's my vote!

and wow haha you have some work to do to get it back together!

[naiku]

get a blank button!!! small cut out, would make it look a lot more flush that's my vote!

and wow haha you have some work to do to get it back together!

Don't you keep a tablet in your glovebox? If so do what I did, pick up a power supply and mount it on top of the glovebox and then where the OEM CD changer normally goes mount a USB hub and wire it into the power source on top of your glovebox. That's what I have and it happily powers / charges the Nexus, flash drive, USB DAC and when plugged in charges my phone as well. You could have your tablet sitting in the glovebox charging away.

[B72011]

I like the idea of the glove box but then opening and closing that thing---youre asking for that poorly designed part (exactly how many are there on Audi's) to fail causing your headaches and $$.

[drumnjuny]

Don't you keep a tablet in your glovebox? If so do what I did, pick up a power supply and mount it on top of the glovebox and then where the OEM CD changer normally goes mount a USB hub and wire it into the power source on top of your glovebox. That's what I have and it happily powers / charges the Nexus, flash drive, USB DAC and when plugged in charges my phone as well. You could have your tablet sitting in the glovebox charging away.

nice!! i like that but was imagining more how it is in the tesla, two open slots for USB hidden out of view but in the open...

i did the glovebox bracket fix like 20k ago haha i think i might need to do it again / need a new glovebox soon. once it warms up it'll probably be fine which is why i'm not rushing lol. probably can hold off till the fall

[naiku]

I like the idea of the glove box but then opening and closing that thing---youre asking for that poorly designed part (exactly how many are there on Audi's) to fail causing your headaches and $$.

So true! Mine is cracked and will need repair as soon as I get to it. I typically don't open it much, everything apart from my phone stays plugged in, otherwise I am sure it would have completely broken by now.

[nyslc93]

Has any one just replaced the cigarette lighter with a dual usb port from amazon?

https://www.amazon.com/Sankuwen%C2%A...JMV45XE391TCVZ