DIY Adding AC and USB power outlets

russap5 · 13th January 2010, 07:20

After I sent my cigarette outlet to Finland to have a start button installed by vantaam5, I decided I needed an alternative power source. I thought, hey, why not add an AC outlet. Some cars have it stock. And while I'm there, why not add a powered USB plug as well!

Tools required:
Screwdriver
Soldering Iron
Dremel

Parts needed:
DC to AC/USB plug thing
AC snap-in receptacle
Probably extra USB socket and some wire

This is the DC to AC/USB plug I used bought from amazon:

Amazon.com: Universal 12V DC to 110V-220V AC Power Inverter plus + 5V USB Adapter: Home Improvement

This is where I got the AC receptacle:

http://www.mouser.com/catalog/629/889.pdf

Now for the process and pictures:

1) Remove stow tray from center console
This is done by removing cup holders, options control unit, a/c unit and frame, then trim panel around shifter.
There are a lot of pieces to remove to get one small thing out, but after a few times it only takes a few minutes.

2) Once removed, dremel out the slot for the ac receptacle to fit through. I ended up using the soldering iron to melt away the plastic and got much better results and it was much easier. Just do it in a well ventilated area.

3) Tear down the DC-AC adapter and solder off the wires that connect to other components, not from the board.
I reused the housing on this unit to protect the circuit board and such.

4) With AC and USB outlets placed in the tray, solder the wires from the DC-AC adapter to the outlets. I used more wire here for the extra flexibility and length.

5) Make room for the DC-AC adapter unit under the tray. Then I cut the wire connector off of the cable that used to power the cigarette outlet. The largest wire here (red and other colors) is the power cable. It carries close to 15V. The smaller multicolor cable is for the amber LED around the cig outlet. It carries around .024V. Connect these to the DC-AC adapter in the correct places. (Should be red=power, black=ground. The BMW brown cable is ground.
DISCONNECT BATTERY. 15V WILL END YOU

6) Reinstall everything and enjoy. I forgot to take pictures, but there is a plastic layer that sits directly below the tray. Another tray of sorts to support the tray. I dremeled away a small section, maybe 1.5" x 1.5" for the power outlets to extend all the way down to the carpet underneath. This was very easy.

I have more pictures if anyone wants to see more. Ask any questions. I am no electrical expert. This DIY is fairly straight forward. It got late tonight so I am not 100% finished. I need to do some final soldering tomorrow.

ENJOY!

And always be safe, I am not responsible for you guys messing up your cars or hurting yourselves!

vantaam5 · 13th January 2010, 10:29

Cool idea,Drew!

No lighter here,yet...

russap5 · 13th January 2010, 14:41

I'm sure its on its way!

vantaam5 · 13th January 2010, 14:49

Yep,hope so,too!
BTW,nice Navi screen knobs you got there!
Looks way better than the stock ones!

btmlinedan · 13th January 2010, 15:17

GREAT WRITEUP, im sure many will find this useful for those "oh crap i forgot to charge..." moments. (ahem AA batteries for me, haha)

Hdhntr23 · 13th January 2010, 15:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by btmlinedan

GREAT WRITEUP, im sure many will find this useful for those "oh crap i forgot to charge..." moments. (ahem AA batteries for me, haha)

+1

Dan if you decide to do this let me know and Ill pay half your supplies if you help me with mine?

russap5 · 13th January 2010, 16:14

And sorry if it looks sloppy, my DIY skills are sub par. My dremel came in the mail yesterday so I had ZERO experience with it. In all honesty, the dremel wasn't very helpful as the hole had to be fairly small.

Some of you talented craftsmen out there can probably do this much nicer than I did, just don't tell me how for a month or so or i'll be mad I didn't do it that way.

And I did the plug the direction it is so that one of the large rectangle plugs could fit in the outlet. My only concern is that small objects or trash can fall in the openings. Might look for a plug cover or something. I have some for USB outlets that works great already.

Hdhntr23 · 13th January 2010, 16:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by russap5

And I did the plug the direction it is so that one of the large rectangle plugs could fit in the outlet. My only concern is that small objects or trash can fall in the openings. Might look for a plug cover or something. I have some for USB outlets that works great already.

Good idea on the plug covers. Also good idea on the orientation of the plug to allow the "bigger" ac plugs to fit.

russap5 · 13th January 2010, 17:05

Also, would have preferred the plug on the right side of the tray, but the duct that carries air to the rear of the car is under there. It was much more convenient to fit the plugs on the left side. Much less modification to the car itself.

Once I get my cigarette lighter back, there will be less room under the tray for the DC-AC adapter and I will most likely cut an area away from the foam that surrounds the shifter. I already cut a little out and I don't see a problem with cutting out more.

btmlinedan · 13th January 2010, 18:19

i personally would try and find another location of installing it, like the rear cup holder. if it just had a prong sticking out of it. on the 540i I did something similiar but it was tucked under the armrest so you couldn't see it.

it does look good though, just curious, why the usb plug? does your phone use one to charge? or ipod would be my guess? If you had an ipod why not run a PIE ipod rca / power adaptor?

basically plugs into the bottom of the ipod to charge it and deliver sound. That's what I run currently ps...