USB outlet in front console?

[LJDC]

Has anyone found a good place to add a cigarette-lighter sized USB outlet in the dash? These things are a bit deep, so they require space of around two inches behind the flush mount. Right now I'm fishing around on the passenger side of the center console near the stick (It's a manual), but space looks to be tight there.

I actually wired up the thing and then found that where I wanted to put it probably wouldn't fit -- luckily, it was before I drilled the hole. So now this thing is sitting in the glove box, which may become its permanent home if I can't find a better spot.

I'm trying to avoid the tray by the windshield, because I don't want wires sticking up there.

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[jhackathorne]

What is your goal and what are you wanting to plug into it?

 

[LJDC]

What is your goal and what are you wanting to plug into it?

I need high-wattage charging for my wife's phone, tablet, etc. (Ok, for mine too.) The thing is wired and working. But I can't figure out a space to put it. I'm planning to pop off the boot for the stick to see what will *really* fit there (to its right or left), but I'm also looking for other options. I had hoped the corner of the front stack (to the right of the climate controls) would work, but that area is shallow.

 

[jhackathorne]

Most of the front center portion is pretty shallow. You might have room on the lower sides by where your knee would be.

 

[IanNubbit]

little to no room where you are wanting to put it. common location is just to the right of the current USB outlet on the dash. lot's have relocated their 12V plug there after installing the mopar trailer brake controller on the JT's

 

[LJDC]

There was the perfect amount of room here.

 

[IanNubbit]

Close but perfect indeed. Nice install

 

[MeefZah]

@LJDC

Has anyone found a good place to add a cigarette-lighter sized USB outlet in the dash? These things are a bit deep, so they require space of around two inches behind the flush mount. Right now I'm fishing around on the passenger side of the center console near the stick (It's a manual), but space looks to be tight there.

I actually wired up the thing and then found that where I wanted to put it probably wouldn't fit -- luckily, it was before I drilled the hole. So now this thing is sitting in the glove box, which may become its permanent home if I can't find a better spot.

I'm trying to avoid the tray by the windshield, because I don't want wires sticking up there.

There was the perfect amount of room here.

What power did you tap into to provide power to your USB? I'm doing the same thing and initially I planned to use the USB in the console to power it but apparently that only provides 5V, not 12+ needed.

 

[LJDC]

Use this to tap the cig lighter: https://www.quadratec.com/p/quadratec/12-volt-power-adapter-jeep-wrangler-tj-jk-jl-jt

 

[MeefZah]

Use this to tap the cig lighter: https://www.quadratec.com/p/quadratec/12-volt-power-adapter-jeep-wrangler-tj-jk-jl-jt

Thanks. I ended up gong right to battery (with a fuse) to provide power all the time.

Appreciate the tips.

Outlet is installed "upside down" so the lid flips down, and because the orientation of the USBs is wrong if they are installed the other way (IMO, since other outlets are flipped).

 

[RatZero]

Use this to tap the cig lighter: https://www.quadratec.com/p/quadratec/12-volt-power-adapter-jeep-wrangler-tj-jk-jl-jt

Did this to the rear 12v outlet using the same adapter off Amazon to power my CB remote unit. Pull the panel and unplug the 12v cigarette lighter from behind and the adapter goes in between. Provides another powered wire for whatever you need.

 

[LJDC]

Thanks. I ended up gong right to battery (with a fuse) to provide power all the time.

Appreciate the tips.

Outlet is installed "upside down" so the lid flips down, and because the orientation of the USBs is wrong if they are installed the other way (IMO, since other outlets are flipped).

Just a note: USB-C doesn’t have a right side up, so it can’t be “wrong.” The writing is upside down, but the flap isn’t connected to the rest of the thing, so you can orient that however you want. I wanted it to flip down, because that was the wires that get plugged into it can be routed up,, which is away from the lid. I never plug in anything that ends up on the floor.

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