12v/cigarette socket adapters?

[agent]

What, if anything, are folks doing to address the difference in size of the female cigarette/12v sockets and the smaller diameter male plugs used by today's electronic devices? A plastic key ring loyalty card wedged in the socket is working for now, though it's not an acceptable long-term solution, since it jars loose occasionally and will reboot my detector and/or stop charging my phone.

My research thus far seems to show the sockets in E30s are EU Type B, while the plugs for phones, radar detectors, etc are US Type A. I'm also seeing references to "DIN Standard" sockets and LS (Lighter Socket).

Any input?

[Poorboyz]

I just live with the way my phone charger fits but I am planning on getting a new socket and replacing the E30 one. I'm also going to wire up a couple USB ports.

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[Asbradley21]

I hardwired my radar detector in and found that there are a few USB adapters that work quite well as far as fitment.

[agent]

Unfortunately, that's not an option for me. My detector uses a Bluetooth-equipped cord to communicate with my phone, so it can receive and report alerts on a national network. So to get full functionality, I have to use that cord.

[Asbradley21]

You could purchase a standalone socket from an auto parts store and wire that in and stash the whole thing in the dash or something.

Another option is to hack the end off of that(or another) cord and wire that in.

[agent]

The detector's cord has a mute button and a USB jack on it (which I use to charge/power the phone while it displays map and threat data), which need to be easily accessible. The length of the cord is also a consideration. It's partially coiled, though I do not want to stretch it out at all. I move the cord/detector (and phone) between multiple vehicles, so hard-wiring is not an option, nor is disassembling the cord. Hard-wire versions of the cord are $100 each, so until I win the lottery I can't afford to put one in every car.

I simply need to reduce the diameter of the 12v socket in my E30s. Further research indicates Motorola used to supply a plastic adapter sleeve with some of their phone chargers. This would be exactly what I need, though the part is now apparently NLA.

[Asbradley21]

You could try affixing an aftermarket replacement socket into the original socket location. Should be pretty simple with the application of gorilla glue.

[SmokeE30]

Something like this might work

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B0042EYTEI

[ME30W]

I bought an off the shelf USB adapter that fits perfectly into the lighter socket. I had assumed I would need to rig it with a folded piece of paper, but it fit perfectly...nice and snug

It was made by duracel, just picked it up at Pep Boys.

[agent]

You could try affixing an aftermarket replacement socket into the original socket location. Should be pretty simple with the application of gorilla glue.

Perhaps, but one of the reasons I'm wanting a non-permanent/removable solution is to keep the original parts original. I don't want to hack up parts - especially in Klaus - and I don't want to have to spend the money on spare/disposable pieces just to do that for both E30s. I do appreciate the suggestions though, thanks.

Something like this might work

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B0042EYTEI

I found a handful of those, though I don't particularly like/want the extra cord.

I bought an off the shelf USB adapter that fits perfectly into the lighter socket. I had assumed I would need to rig it with a folded piece of paper, but it fit perfectly...nice and snug

It was made by duracel, just picked it up at Pep Boys.

Did you even read the thread?

[Asbradley21]

The only other thing I can suggest would be one of these.


Simply plug it into the worthless "flashlight" socket in the glovebox and you're good to go. Easy to remove and put in another car if you so choose.
I'm not sure what specific size it is but I use one in my e39 all the time and I've never had something not fit.

You can pick em up for about $10 from a variety of places. I got mine from amazon.

[agent]

I have one of those in my E39 as well. :up: It's an option, though I really want the male plug on the detector cord within reach and anchored somewhat solidly so I can use its mute functionality. That's one of the reasons why I'm trying to find a solution for the stock socket location.

[AndrewBird]

I'm not sure if the stock socket is like this, but a lot of cigarette lighter sockets have tabs that should be bent inward slightly on the inside of the socket. They spring outward slightly when you plug something in an they hold it in place. They may just not be bent into the socket far enough. Worth checking out.

See here:



The tab I am talking about is on part #1. Usually there is one on each side.

[AwakenNoMore]

^ Might have to try that because mine doesn't work with anything currently.

[ShayneThill]

It seems hard to solve. Try to find answers at detectorall.