DIY: In-Dash USB Charger

[SirataXero]

Hey guys,

I've been reading and asking questions quiet a bit on this forum, so I decided to give back. My first official mod is an in-dash USB charging port that I incorporated into my 1996 Z3 center console. I'll put up pictures and an actual diy soon. It's pretty cool and works perfectly! It also leaves my cigarette lighter intact so I can plug in other accessories while charging my cell phone/tablet!

[Rabbi Doom]

The location of the cig lighter is horrible in the Z3. So I also hardwired two USB ports into my car. Here's a short writeup on what I did.

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...ack-of-M-Coupe

[lennium]

I hard wired a usb in too, I found it annoying that the cig lighter with a plug in it was hitting my fingers as I shifted. I didn't want wires coming from my dash so I sat it back somewhere phones,tabs and mp3 player could sit. Only prob was they are LED that are blue when most everything thing else is red.

Used a sanding block from the hardware store covered it in leather and fitted two usb's in it and hard wired with a fuse to the gig lighters power, gig light still works. The usb's were bought from the local auto store as ones you can hard-wire in.

[SirataXero]

Oh nice! I'm glad other people did the same thing too. I actually did something very different (and probably stupider) than both of you... I replaced one of the switch panels on the center console with a blank one which I installed the USB ports behind. It looks pretty cool except the switch panel is meant for buttons to be pushed, not a cable to be pulled out. So every time I pull out a cable the entire switch panel comes out. >.<. I'm looking into reinforcing it. Sorry I have pictures but I'm on my phone so I still can't upload them.

[fandsw]

Installed this in mine last year, fed from one of the 2 rear USB on my stereo head unit. Hides away under my LeatherZ Mark2 armrest.

[SirataXero]

Installed this in mine last year, fed from one of the 2 rear USB on my stereo head unit. Hides away under my LeatherZ Mark2 armrest.

That looks pretty cool! I should get one of those leatherz arm rests. The arm rest on this car really... Leaves a lot to be desired... Haha.

Does yours also pay music from the device plugged in?

[fandsw]

That looks pretty cool! I should get one of those leatherz arm rests. The arm rest on this car really... Leaves a lot to be desired... Haha.

Does yours also pay music from the device plugged in?

Yep, sure does, ties in directly into the back of my Pioneer headunit.

I highly recommend LeatherZ. Great product and after the sale service. This is my second armrest in the car, the first one developed a problem after a couple months where the leather was starting to come up and wrinkle due to poor adhesion. Sent them an email with pic of the problem and a couple of days later I had a replacement in my hand.

[robrez]

Here's mine built into a blank VDO gauge. Some of you early M roadster owners may recognize the blank gauge as what came in place of the voltmeters that BMW had failed to procure in time for the M roadster's release.

[SirataXero]

Here's mine built into a blank VDO gauge. Some of you early M roadster owners may recognize the blank gauge as what came in place of the voltmeters that BMW had failed to procure in time for the M roadster's release.

Hey that's really nice and clean! I'm thinking of adding a faceplate to mine so that it doesn't look so "DIY". I also need to reinforce it a bit better. Otherwise, I'm pretty proud of how it turned out, considering I didn't buy anything specific for it and did it all myself. :P.

[CanuckMCoupe]

It's nice to see everyone else hates where the lighter plug is in our cars. Horrible location right above the shifter.

I hard-wired my Valentine a few years ago from the sunroof switch power so that is covered off. On my annual long road trips down to the various "Fest's", I need power for the GPS, my kids laptop, our cell phones etc.

My car has been in the shop the last couple of weeks getting ready for O'Fest in Monterey. I had them add this 12V plug on the passenger side, on the side of the console right next to the OBDC access panel. I have a USB adaptor that plugs into this. Had it wired to stay on without ignition. So now all the electronics stay away from my shifter!

[droz3]

lennium, where did you get the lighted usb ?

[lennium]

lennium, where did you get the lighted usb ?

I was in the process of tearing some plugs in one apart to rewire them, it's do-able, some have a mini double usb plug.
This one has a quick charge port as well as a normal one, which is what I was pulling to bits. good option if you can't get your hands on the hardwire ones.


But while doing this I got a junk mail catalog from a local AU auto shop called Repco, it had these items for $15, I went for them because they had threads and a screw in back so they lock into place.
But haven't seen them anywhere else, not even a ebay search brings them up. Unusual when they had them in the catalog the shop didn't display them but had them out back, I had to ask for them pointing to the catalog and the guy went and got them.

[Jason B]

Sir, or anyone else? I wanted some advice. I like how clean yours is, and here is what someone else did for, I have same vehicle but didn't try yet...

Blue Seas dual USB charger in the 2nd row ash tray.








I want to do something similiar, but I just want to have the USB ports flush mounted without that housing around it... So you just see the usb ports only, for a more stealth install. ANy ideas???

[esses]

I put mine on the rear console panel, AND added a 12v cig adapter while i was at it. Keeps all the wires out of the way quite nicely.

[BimmerBreaker]

I'll probably be installing one of these in the rear of my console, its an OEM USB/Aux-in panel for a newer BMW. There are several variations, I've yet to find the one I am going to settle on but I like the OEM-ness of it, and I figure I can use the aux-in tied with a Blitz or similar system to make it all functional

[Jason B]

I hard wired a usb in too, I found it annoying that the cig lighter with a plug in it was hitting my fingers as I shifted. I didn't want wires coming from my dash so I sat it back somewhere phones,tabs and mp3 player could sit. Only prob was they are LED that are blue when most everything thing else is red.

Used a sanding block from the hardware store covered it in leather and fitted two usb's in it and hard wired with a fuse to the gig lighters power, gig light still works. The usb's were bought from the local auto store as ones you can hard-wire in.

You have more info on these?

[austinh]

You have more info on these?

Yeah I would definitely like to know any more info on these if possible. I've searched and can't find any other hard wired ones with lights.

[Mr Bingley]