Best $5 mod ever! (USB ports)

[bernzpeed]

Simply the best $5 (oops, mine cost $7) mod ever! Waiting for it to arrive.

[rightcoastbias]

Very nice. I did this when I swapped my dash. Added a two USB ports from dealextreme on my center consol just below the fan speed control.

I also installed a clamp style phone holder by the USB plugs. I use it to charge the phone while playing Slacker or Pandora.

Very useful when you keep a few USB iPod, micro and mini cables in the glovebox.

[AndrewBird]

For those of you who need pictures, I had one lying around that I pulled apart and snapped a few.

How it looks after you get the cover off:


Bottom side:


Where you need to solder wires:

[bernzpeed]

thanks this is a big help.

[5Toes]

So its a circuit board with a resitor and it turns on a led when something is inserted?

[Pantless Spency]

Got a couple of these super cheap on eBay just now. Just going to keep it in the cigarette lighter, although the original poster's setup is way cooler.

same
i found these in black and white on amazon for 1 cent and like 2 dollars shipping.

[Joey Link]

Nice work!

[AndrewBird]

So its a circuit board with a resitor and it turns on a led when something is inserted?

No. It's a voltage regulator that turns 12v into 5v. The LED is on whenever it is powered. Generally only when plugged into the cigarette lighter, but when you hard wire it, it never turns off. If you don't like the light, paint it black.

[KenC]

Thanks for putting up the pics, Andrew.

I actually removed the spring positive when I soldered the wires on.

The lights are tiny, and when something's plugged in you can't see the LEDs at all.

[lolcantturn]

Got mine in the mail today and I was so excited, and I don't know why!
Definitely worth the $5. It's smaller than I thought it was going to be, which is good.

[schtozo]

Got mine in the mail today and I was so excited, and I don't know why!
Definitely worth the $5. It's smaller than I thought it was going to be, which is good.

Same here, i was very exited too, and i was surprised by the size too i thought they were bigger. We def have a connection buddy...:P

[E30nate]

finished mine today in my e34. came out very good. the e34 has more room around the shifter so i put them right under the ashtray.

sorry for the shitty cell pics



heres how i soldered them



and after they were together



i might order another one to put in the rear console underneath the vent

[aaron325ix]

Just put mine in, the lights even match! Thanks to Jean for the solder work

[bloodshot-e30]

can someone send me a link? i guess im just too stupid to find it lol

[!AjHoWzA!]

Dude great idea! Looks great!