Varmintmist

I pulled the shifter console today and the cigar lighter doesnt work, which is OK, since I dont think I will take up smoking soon. Which means that there is a power lead with nothing to do. Did anyone ever mod the lighter/ A.S.H. receptacle to be a power USB port and or a place for a line in?

interpon

Here is my saga..quality of parts matter…
you will also want to fuse the usb correctly
they also run in accessory now..lighter remains in case i need to start smoking again…
your lighter might just be loose if fuse ok
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...8-track-2.html

78VetteSuperFan

Do you have a newer radio in the car? Previous owner of mine installed a newer one and took the orange power wire for the cigarette lighter to power the radio since it needed additional power for radio station memory. I just spliced the wire so I could have it power both. So far no issues and I can charge my phone now.

Update: Reread and realized this isn’t what you’re asking for haha, but I’ll keep just in case it might help someone one day.

Bikespace

YMMV with an earlier car. I did almost the same thing @interpon did, and installed a 2-port QC 3.0 charger in place of the cigarette lighter. With nothing plugged in, the panel can close over it, and it has an on-off switch built in. If you don't have power to the red wire, trace it back and look for a bad fuse or other issue. Run a new ground to whatever you decide to install.



I found that a stepped drill bit made short work of the center panel hole enlargement. Something like this, though mine was likely from Harbor Freight.

ignatz

iPod classic is a perfect fit

interpon

you got at least 25 amps on that wire..suggest fusing that to your radio

stingr69

You could just fix the receptical and use one of these. No permanent mods.

carriljc

.....and that way the receptacle remains more useful for other plug-in options, NOT just for a USB connector.

kdf1986

I agree with Stingr69. That is the simpler way to go and keep the socket available for other uses.

kdf

JMH

In my 72 I put one in the plastic cover in front of the console on the passenger side..Easy to reach and out of the way.

bradleyb66

That's what I did too, but I got one with a built-in voltage display - instead of tearing the dash apart to convert the ammeter to a voltmeter.

red topless gator

Pictures? Thanks

bradleyb66

Here you go:




Here's the link to the one I bought (I have no affiliation with seller or manufacturer), but I'm sure there are other similar ones.

derekderek

or 17 bucks and you have an A and a C and mine is also better because the voltage is higher...