Expanding Cigarrette outlet ??

[Innovazn]

Has anyone done it?

I have a bunch of things that im intending on putting in. Radar detector, GPS, Cell chargers and such.

I was thinking of buying one of those 4 way cigarrette outputs in but the last thing I want is the plug to be sticking out.

I have been looking on how to hardwire the 4 way into the stock output in behind the console and just running wires in behind the dash to keep the wire clutter to a minimum.

Anything i need to look out for? Can I simply chop the plug off the expanding unit and tap into the stock outlet?

[Innovazn]

lots of views and no suggestions or inputs?!

[scottrainey]

I had that setup on my old 720 pickup. What I ended up doing was buying a lighter extension cord and routing everything around back of the middle console, but I did have the big end of the extension cord sticking out of the socket. I'm assuming you want to make it as neat as possible. I've tinkered around with the outlet, and there seems to be quite enough room behind the console of my '01 Pathy, so I imagine you could simply pull it out, find a flat plug to replace the now gaping hole in your console (I know you can get these from various auto parts places, but I'm not sure of the sizing if you take the actual stock plug out. Might be a problem).

On second thought, maybe the best way to do it and to keep things nice and neat would be to run an extension cord from the auxiliary cigarette lighter socket in the middle console. That way, you could actually route the wires under the carpet and behind the main console, and just have your plugs coming out where you need 'em. That's probably the route I'd go.

[coledog188]

I got a 1-to-3 adapter from Auto Zone I think. Also got 2 EZPass "velcro" strips from a thruway stop.

Plugged the port up front and just velcroed the expander to the plastic in front of the passenger seat on the center console.
Works great, doesn't look that horrible, and keeps everything within reach without cutting down on the rear seat leg room.

[Innovazn]

The thing is i dont want to "plug" anything. I want to tap into it from behind and just all the wires go back there.

[Innovazn]

anyone?

[Chris.m]

I'd imagine that you could just cut the plug-in part (for lack of a better word) of the adapter (of the expansion unit) and solder the wires to the back of the cigarette outlet. But then, you'd have to hide the 3 outlet expansion part somewhere (maybe glovebox?). You' may have to extend the wires for the radar detector and gps if you would want to hide the wires though.

The setup I have is my radar detector tapped into the cigarette lighter circut at the fusebox to the left of the steering wheel. Then it is easy to hide the wire behind the A-pillar cover and behind the headliner, so that it comes out near the rearview mirrror hole. I also have my GPS hardwired into the fusebox too and ran the wire throught the little gap at the base of the A-pillar cover. I also have XM radio car kit. I tapped off of the center console outlet and ran all the wires under there, so nothing is exposed. Granted, I had to cut off the plug-in parts of all of these devices, it made everything clean.

[Innovazn]

I'd imagine that you could just cut the plug-in part (for lack of a better word) of the adapter (of the expansion unit) and solder the wires to the back of the cigarette outlet. But then, you'd have to hide the 3 outlet expansion part somewhere (maybe glovebox?). You' may have to extend the wires for the radar detector and gps if you would want to hide the wires though.

The setup I have is my radar detector tapped into the cigarette lighter circut at the fusebox to the left of the steering wheel. Then it is easy to hide the wire behind the A-pillar cover and behind the headliner, so that it comes out near the rearview mirrror hole. I also have my GPS hardwired into the fusebox too and ran the wire throught the little gap at the base of the A-pillar cover. I also have XM radio car kit. I tapped off of the center console outlet and ran all the wires under there, so nothing is exposed. Granted, I had to cut off the plug-in parts of all of these devices, it made everything clean.

so in short, I CAN tap into it from behind and just stash everything in the back.... gotcha. I'll probably go about doing that this weekend.

[Innovazn]

Ok. Update ::

No pictures as i was at work and plowed through this on my break

I totally did a hack job and wanted to test this to see if it actually worked with all fingers crossed.

ANYWAYS

I headed up to the source and picked up a 3 way expanding DC output. (11.99)
I also grabbed an inline fuse holder. (4.39)

Tools used

Knife
Wire Cutters/stripper

Misc.

Butt Connectors i had laying around in the Pathy
Electrical tape.

I started by taking apart the expanding units plug and distinguished its negative and positive.
I pulled the fuse enclosed inside and used that with the inline fuse.

I cut the shroud around the wires behind the cigarrette plug and cut it mid way (about an inch and a half from the plug)
needless to say I stripped the wires for connecting later

The wires sported a green with black stripe, and a all black one. The ground (or earth)wire was the all black (no brainer)

from the plug to the Inline fuse, i butt connected and had that connect with the expanding wires
the ground was the same. To compensate for the Inline fuse connectors added length, i grabbed some 18 gauge I had and cut the length to match to avoid snag or stress. From there everything was connected.

Plugged in the radar to test, all green in all the plugs. Im happy, It works and wires are better concealed!

Hack job but it works.

-Kevin

[Towncivilian]

Hmm, if your vehicle came with the Bose audio system and you now have an aftermarket head unit, you could have sourced power from the now-useless CD changer harness plug. It has two wires for +12v when the ignition is set to "ACC". Cut the wires and crimp on (or solder, ideally) some quick disconnects or whatever you require and find a ground elsewhere. That's an alternative to modifying the power socket connector, anyway. Good for switches for lights and whatnot so they turn off with ignition OFF. Your FSM will have a wiring diagram/schematic. I'm not sure if the base system will have the CD changer harness present.

[Innovazn]

Hmm, if your vehicle came with the Bose audio system and you now have an aftermarket head unit, you could have sourced power from the now-useless CD changer harness plug. It has two wires for +12v when the ignition is set to "ACC". Cut the wires and crimp on (or solder, ideally) some quick disconnects or whatever you require and find a ground elsewhere. That's an alternative to modifying the power socket connector, anyway. Good for switches for lights and whatnot so they turn off with ignition OFF. Your FSM will have a wiring diagram/schematic. I'm not sure if the base system will have the CD changer harness present.

-face palm- why didnt syou say that sooner!! T_T oh well. I did what I did and so far and it works. I think im golden

[Towncivilian]

I did, but then deleted my post because I thought it didn't apply after re-reading your first post Sorry!

[Innovazn]

I did, but then deleted my post because I thought it didn't apply after re-reading your first post Sorry!

eh.. its all good. too late now