DBK
LIFE MEMBER
I wanted to fit a USB socket on my dashboard which could be used to power a dashcam. This meant I needed to connect it to a supply which was only live when the ignition was turned on. After a bit of head scratching I discovered it was very much easier to do than I expected.
What follows is for a 2013 X250 Fiat Ducato - other models may and almost certainly will be different.
And apologies for the rubbish photos, they were taken with my phone as I was too lazy to go and get my proper camera.
On my dashboard there is a 180W power socket which I use to power the satnav. Next to it was a blank plug which after looking at the manual is for a cigar lighter on some models. Removing the plug I discovered it was the perfect size for a USB socket.
This is the view after I had fitted the USB socket. Note the T20 Torx screw in the bottom of the cup holder.
This screw is all that holds in this bit of the dashboard but it does take a bit of gentle tugging to remove it. There are several tabs around the outside but if you start at the top left and spring this loose by inserting a screwdriver in and gentling pulling it forward you should be able to remove the section without breaking anything.
When you have it off, ferret around in the wiring and you should find a plug looking like this.
This is the same sort of plug as used on the power socket which you can see bottom right in the picture above. The trick to this mod is you need to use a USB socket which has the contacts spaced exactly right for it to fit on this existing plug.
Amazon product ASIN B00R5W9K3Y
The socket I bought (see above) fits the plug exactly. Here is the socket fitted and the two terminals on the rear of it. The existing 180W power socket is on the right.
The plug has three wires, one +ve and one -ve and a third wire which doesn't seem to do anything. The plug fits over the USB socket using the outer two spade connections with the centre one unused. If the world was perfect the power connections would be on the outside of the plug but they aren't, so you have to change them round.
If you look at this photo again.
You will see three brown/orange tags at the top. These are a single bit of plastic and it can be removed after a bit of teasing with a small screwdriver. If you look below them you may see three tongues of plastic. These hold the spade connectors in place. With your small screwdriver you can lift these up one at a time and withdraw the connector. You need to rearrange the connectors so the power goes to the outer terminals with the unused third wire in the middle. It is essential to use a multimeter to find out the polarity of these - after turning the ignition key on of course.
The plug will then fit directly onto the back of the USB socket. It stays in place by friction but if it was loose you could nip the spade connectors up a bit to tighten their grip.
Obviously you need to make sure the polarity is correct, the back of the USB socket has + and - marked against the terminals.
Then put it all back together and congratulate yourself.
What follows is for a 2013 X250 Fiat Ducato - other models may and almost certainly will be different.
And apologies for the rubbish photos, they were taken with my phone as I was too lazy to go and get my proper camera.
On my dashboard there is a 180W power socket which I use to power the satnav. Next to it was a blank plug which after looking at the manual is for a cigar lighter on some models. Removing the plug I discovered it was the perfect size for a USB socket.
This is the view after I had fitted the USB socket. Note the T20 Torx screw in the bottom of the cup holder.
This screw is all that holds in this bit of the dashboard but it does take a bit of gentle tugging to remove it. There are several tabs around the outside but if you start at the top left and spring this loose by inserting a screwdriver in and gentling pulling it forward you should be able to remove the section without breaking anything.
When you have it off, ferret around in the wiring and you should find a plug looking like this.
This is the same sort of plug as used on the power socket which you can see bottom right in the picture above. The trick to this mod is you need to use a USB socket which has the contacts spaced exactly right for it to fit on this existing plug.
Amazon product ASIN B00R5W9K3Y
The socket I bought (see above) fits the plug exactly. Here is the socket fitted and the two terminals on the rear of it. The existing 180W power socket is on the right.
The plug has three wires, one +ve and one -ve and a third wire which doesn't seem to do anything.
The plug fits over the USB socket using the outer two spade connections with the centre one unused. If the world was perfect the power connections would be on the outside of the plug but they aren't, so you have to change them round. If you look at this photo again.
You will see three brown/orange tags at the top. These are a single bit of plastic and it can be removed after a bit of teasing with a small screwdriver. If you look below them you may see three tongues of plastic. These hold the spade connectors in place. With your small screwdriver you can lift these up one at a time and withdraw the connector. You need to rearrange the connectors so the power goes to the outer terminals with the unused third wire in the middle. It is essential to use a multimeter to find out the polarity of these - after turning the ignition key on of course.
The plug will then fit directly onto the back of the USB socket. It stays in place by friction but if it was loose you could nip the spade connectors up a bit to tighten their grip.
Obviously you need to make sure the polarity is correct, the back of the USB socket has + and - marked against the terminals.
Then put it all back together and congratulate yourself.
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