Replacing cigarette lighter with a DC outlet (1 Viewer)

[Scylth]

I am thinking about replacing my cigarette lighter with a DC outlet. Lighter works, but doesn't allow DC plugs to get power. Has anyone done this already? I assume there are 2 prongs in the back of the lighter, and all I need to do is unplug and replace with a DC outlet. Also, if there is a particular DC outlet you'd recommend that is plug and play, that would be good to know.

 

[RET2]

I would be hesitant to count on a replacement outlet depending on the power needs of what is plugged in. Supply side wiring may not be up to the task.

 

[Sandroad]

I am thinking about replacing my cigarette lighter with a DC outlet. Lighter works, but doesn't allow DC plugs to get power. Has anyone done this already? I assume there are 2 prongs in the back of the lighter, and all I need to do is unplug and replace with a DC outlet. Also, if there is a particular DC outlet you'd recommend that is plug and play, that would be good to know.

How come the lighter outlet doesn't power DC plugs? Are you using one with deep enough reach? Is there a switching mechanism in the outlet?

 

[Scylth]

Good questions. The lighter lights up, but won’t run DC. DC plug next to it works fine.

 

[KLF]

I pulled the lower one out and replaced it with a dual USB power outlet (red one on the left):

It was actually pretty easy, no modification to the plastic required (that I remember). The socket is a little tricky, you have to pry up a couple of catches to get it apart so it slides out. This is the outlet I used:

Amazon product ASIN B07GKK9HZT
I keep a short 1' long USB cable plugged in, in case I need to charge the phone while I'm driving, which is always parked on that custom magnetic mount, very convenient.

Not liking that it shuts off when the key is off, and figuring I might want a socket that I can enable with the key off, I added the other one you see just to the right. It was a yuuuuge PITA, I kinda wished I hadn't started on that one, I really had to do some hacking on the dash behind. The blue button turns it on and off. I have used it a few times, and been glad I had it. The big red toggle switch runs the Blue Sea ML-ACR dual battery isolator.

 

[Scylth]

@KLF , did you consider taking out your cigarette lighter and putting a usb charger there?

 

[KLF]

@KLF , did you consider taking out your cigarette lighter and putting a usb charger there?

There were 2 "cig lighter" type ports there, the lower one is on a slightly higher fuse (I think that's why I chose that one). I don't need 2, and the USB ports are much more useful.