Hi,

I'm trying to add a couple of USB ports to my dash in my 1st Gen TN Magna, and I just can't figure out how to get the cigarette lighter socket out of the dash. Any ideas?

Thanks,
Craig

G'day mate,
from memory the back screws away from the front. otherwise there is about a 5mm nut on the back that holds all the terminals and whole assembly together. then screw it apart.

hope this helps,
regards jay

Hi Jay,

I will have a closer look using this new information, but from what I remember (won't check now, it's raining and I'm making dinner), there's an angled plastic mounting plate, and then the socket itself. I can't seem to get either the plate out of the dash, nor the body out of the plate. I took out the ashtray to the left including the heatshield that blocks access, I also took off the heater knobs and cover above, to try and improve things but I just can't get good access.

I did kind of get my hand in through the ashtray space, but there didn't seem to be any bolts or nuts, or I'd have tried to get my little stubby 1/4" ratchet in there.. I'll take another look in the morning or tomorrow evening to see if I can get it apart.

PS: There's a curious looking blanking plate to the right too which might give me enough space to get to the back of the socket. I can't get that out either.. :nuts:

I put a new stereo in this afternoon, and it was very easy, except for having to manually enlarge the hole in the centre console fascia by 2mm all around. Anyway, my point is, I realised how it might be easier to take some 12v power from the switched supply going to the stereo, since I can actually get to the wires!

Cheers,
Craig

you should be able to get at it from the back with the small side panels from the foot wells removed. ide defiantly try and find another source. for what you want the accessories powered wire leading to the head unit should be fine if your only using it to charge an ipod or what have you. m

only thing is how do you plan to take if from 12 volts to the 5 you need for usb powered devices (at least i think its 5 volts from memory when it comes to computer stuff.

Yes - I've decided now to take the switched power from the stereo, it's powered by either a 10 or 15 amp supply, so there's plenty of spare there.

To do the DC-DC conversion, I'm using the guts out of a car USB adapter, I've pulled the plastic off and the single socket, added leads for 12v in and 5v out and added 2 sockets for mounting next to the heater controls. The adapter was rated to supply 1A at 5v, and the USB spec says the maximum allowable current draw is 500mA, so it should cope fine with charging two things at full bore, especially as the electonics aren't in a sealed plastic container, the extra airflow probably means I'd get away with more than that, but I don't want any fires.

I just thought it'd be pretty neat to have a couple of hardwired charging points for GPS, phones, ipods, etc. and to leave the cigarette lighter free for any other stuff.

Cheers,
Craig