Fiat Ducato - Convert Cigar lighter to twin USB Port.

[namwaldog]

I am wanting to convert the cigar lighter, on our Fiat Ducato based MH, to a twin USB port. There is a good video on YouTube explaining the process.....



A couple of questions arise....

1. There are three wires to the existing connector plug, black, yellow & yellow/blue.
Which of these are the + & - to be connected to the two Male spades at the rear of the USB port?

2. The video shows the original connector plug being cut off and female spade connectors being crimped to the required wires.

I would like, if possible, to retain the integrity of the original connector block and create two short wire leads with a male spade on one end (to push into existing connector block) and a female spade on the other (to push onto the relevant USB Male connector)

Anyone see any problems with this?


Thanks

Barry

 

[SpeedyDux]

Looks complicated. I would buy this instead:

Amazon product ASIN B0769G4JGD

 

[Bobby-gg]

Or

One of these

 

[namwaldog]

Thanks for the replies so far.

I am trying to avoid any "plug-in adaptors", as, of the four different USB adaptors I have tried, all of them tend to wobble about in the cigar lighter socket and often fail to make good contact.

Thanks

Barry

 

[XxAnthxX]

I’ve not checked but I’d suggest the yellow with the blue trace will become live with your lights to illuminate the ring around the cigarette lighter socket.

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[Lenny HB]

The video is making it far too complicated, from memory you just need to drop the centre glovebox out then you can get behind the panel where the sockets are.

Also best to mod the sockets before fitting see here:-

USB Socket

These seem to be the latest generation of double USB sockets from China/Hong Kong offering 2 x 2.1 amp outlets and a battery voltage display. Have just taken delivery of one but not done anything with it yet. Anyone have thoughts or reviews...

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

 

[Stroppy Bird]

This thread should help, which I used when I did mine.

X250 and others Cab 12 volt socket change

The reason for the change is that 12 volt plugs usually keep coming out of contact over bumps causing loss of power to sat navs/ chargers etc without you realising until it proves inconvenient. These twist lock sockets prevent this Pictures a bit out of sequence as I've already fitted the new...

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

Courtesy of Techno
The pair of original connectors have a seperate small +ve wire for illumination of the cigarette lighter socket, this wont be needed so cut off and tape back.
The large yellow +ve requires a blue female 6.3mm spade and the -ve black a red 6.3mm

 

[Jev88]

Use your multimeter to see what is live ignition on and off. Then you can select if you want usb live or off with key.

 

[namwaldog]

This thread should help, which I used when I did mine.

Thanks Stroppy Bird , & Techno that helps a lot.
I did a MHF search prior to starting this thread but didn't see that one. Thanks again.

 

[Bill_OR]

Make sure you buy a decent USB socket - and make sure it's the right one for your phone! What I mean is that many modern phones need 2.1 Amps to charge and many of the twin USB sockets only deliver 0.5 Amps from each socket!

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[Nasher]

The original sockets on mine were bigger to all the others in the universe!! - I used tape around the plugs to hold them in

When time allowed, I replaced both sockets with standard sized ones and then anything plugged in (including dual USB socket) stays put

Using the above mentioned advice on here, it took about 10 minutes

X250 and others Cab 12 volt socket change

The reason for the change is that 12 volt plugs usually keep coming out of contact over bumps causing loss of power to sat navs/ chargers etc without you realising until it proves inconvenient. These twist lock sockets prevent this Pictures a bit out of sequence as I've already fitted the new...

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

 

[Landy Andy]

I would like, if possible, to retain the integrity of the original connector block and create two short wire leads with a male spade on one end (to push into existing connector block) and a female spade on the other (to push onto the relevant USB Male connector)

I just removed the negative terminal from the terminal block, put a piece of heat shrink on it and connected it to the usb like that. Less connections and can be reinstated if required.

 

[dunnah01]

Single torx under cup holder inner mat and pop out small switch panel, it has a few tangs but they will come out with some jiggling. Release three (on mine) connectors for foggy lighters and switches to remove panel. Cigarette lighter comes out by pressing chrome ring tabs to allow innards to be pushued out allowing enough space for plastic bits of sockets to be wiggled out. As above 6.3mm spades into big yellow+ and black -ve, install USB socket through ciggy hole and tighten clamp nut, 6.3mm female spades to USB and put it back together.

 

[JFD]

When I did ours, I discovered that the existing connector block could be re-used! If you tease out the lighting and middle power cable from the back of the connector block, and swap their positions, then that connector block is a perfect fit and function on the back of the usb module! I also attached a note to the modified connector explaining (briefly) what I had done, in case a future owner wants to reverse the change!!

 

[namwaldog]

then that connector block is a perfect fit and function on the back of the usb module!

Thanks very much indeed for that.

Barry

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[mitzimad]

i put mine there and it killed radio reception

 

[Coolcats]

Thanks for the replies so far.

I am trying to avoid any "plug-in adaptors", as, of the four different USB adaptors I have tried, all of them tend to wobble about in the cigar lighter socket and often fail to make good contact.

Thanks

Barry

You are right some can be pretty poor, I have one that has a decent fit and a bullish end connector, never had an issue with this one it has a pretty robust. Two outputs 1a and 2.1 a

 

[Keith E]

When I did mine I chopped the wires and fitted spade terminals directly.
What you are wanting to do will work exactly the same with no issues.
I also replaced the ciggy lighter with a twist lock power socket so that I had somewhere to plug the satnav into.
The black wire is negative and the thicker of the other two is positive.


I

 

[XxAnthxX]

I've got photos but I need to figure out how to attach them.
Bare with me.

The square looking button should do it.....

 

[Keith E]

View attachment 392565

The square looking button should do it.....

But the square looking button doesn't give me the option to access the file storage location.
I'm getting there.

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[XxAnthxX]

Can you not browse to the location?

What device are you using?

 

[Keith E]

Can you not browse to the location?

View attachment 392599

What device are you using?

Just my phone.
I don't have access to a computer, but I've done it now.

 

[FrankandPat]

When I did mine I simply took the spades out of the existing block and slipped them on to the new USB. This way I can revert if required.

 

[Jon Seddon]

Just done the same, great advice

 

[autorouter]

Just a note in favour of plug-in USB adapters. Those 2.1A USB sockets are already out of date. My phone is not especially cutting-edge, but takes a USB-C.

I know you can get a standard USB to USB-C wire, I have several of these. But the phone charges slowly from a 2.1A USB, and better from a QC3, which has a much higher power rating. It is best from a proper USB-C socket with PD.

You can buy USB sockets with QC3 and/or USB-C with PD. But my point is that it is easier to upgrade an adapter than a built-in socket.

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[Manic]

Tha

I would like, if possible, to retain the integrity of the original connector block and create two short wire leads with a male spade on one end (to push into existing connector block) and a female spade on the other (to push onto the relevant USB Male connector)

ts how I would do it.

 

[Jon Seddon]

If you unclip the existing connectors from the block, by pulling up the plastic clips on the side of the block, then the metal connectors just slide out leaving the block attached to the illumination bulb power supply which I didn’t want to use. Then everything can be returned to standard.
Of course if you use the illumination power supply then a set of bridging wires are the answer.

 

[glenn2926]

If you unclip the existing connectors from the block, by pulling up the plastic clips on the side of the block, then the metal connectors just slide out leaving the block attached to the illumination bulb power supply which I didn’t want to use. Then everything can be returned to standard.
Of course if you use the illumination power supply then a set of bridging wires are the answer.

That’s just what I have done. If I ever wanted I could put the old cigar lighter socket back in ten minutes. I got fed up of the cigar lighter plug bouncing out whilst travelling. Not tried this new socket whilst travelling yet. Next Friday we’re going away so it will be tested then.

 

[MitchandJenny]

Our Apple plug in 2 port USB adapter has worked well for 5 years.
Simples.
Mitch.