Usb socket - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

robdelorenzo · 09-04-2018, 10:08 PM

Hello Forum members
Has anyone mounted a USB port in the dash or the center console?
I'm looking for ideas on where to put one.
I put in a new head unit which also will play music from a USB stick, which I really get a kick out of.
No more CD wallets!
There appears to be a round space opposite the cigarette lighter on the trim panel which is unused.
Can I drill a hole there and put in a USB port that is held in by a screw from the back?
Or does anyone have a better location that won't be in the way of passengers or the gear shift?
Thanks!

particlewave · 09-04-2018, 10:42 PM

Wires hanging out of the dash are ugly.

oldskool73 · 09-05-2018, 12:19 AM

You could also get something like

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Dual-USB-Extension-Socket-Dashboard-Panel-Flush-Mount-for-Car-Boat-Vehicle-MA950-/172374717373 and put it wherever you like really.

I thought about hiding one in the elbow storage area, like a lot of modern cars. would be nice and discreet and out of the way, not done it yet though.

thom4782 · 09-05-2018, 05:27 AM

Put 2 in bat wing b/c Pioneer head unit has 2 USB inputs - car play and android auto

ekam · 09-05-2018, 06:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thom4782

Put 2 in bat wing b/c Pioneer head unit has 2 USB inputs - car play and android auto

I think your dash could use just a tineey tiny bit of cleaning...

robdelorenzo · 09-05-2018, 07:36 AM

Some great ideas!
You guys always come through.
And yes, the spaghetti monster hanging from the cubby has got to go!

redciv1 · 09-05-2018, 08:25 AM

Since I did not need the 12v outlet under the top button, I removed my cigarette lighter from that spot and used the wiring to hook up this generic one from Amazon https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N6C5L5L/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I actually put the usb outlet on the left side(closer to driver) and plugged the 12v hole under the top button with the cover on the left side.
No need to drill the round cover as they can be accessed from the back by pulling gently on the entire plastic piece. Orange matched up really good to lighting by the way.
Pic Quality not great.

Fintro11 · 09-05-2018, 10:48 AM

Will you only be using it for USB music? I installed Apple car play on my parents 06 Boxster and used a 100+gb USB and hid it behind the console.

On my 986 I have a anker 2 USB car jack that I use my continental unit has a face USB socket that I use a flush mount USB stick in. I hard wired my radar detector it is pretty clean I’ll take a photo when I get home from work

Cjamerson1212 · 09-05-2018, 11:43 AM

I just installed USB/AUX ports on either side of the radio. I removed the cigarette lighter all together. I had to trim some of the frame with a drimel tool. The color of the caps really blend in well with the dash coloring.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01NAMU8KY/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

redciv1 · 09-05-2018, 12:11 PM

************

Cjamerson1212 · 09-05-2018, 01:46 PM

I just installed USB/AUX ports on either side of the radio. I removed the cigarette lighter all together. I had to trim some of the frame with a drimel tool. The color of the caps really blend in well with the dash coloring.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01NAMU8KY/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

robdelorenzo · 09-05-2018, 02:13 PM

The ideas keep getting better and better.
I was primarily going to use it just for music, but since I don't smoke, I can plug in the phone with a lightning>usb cable in one port and the usb stick in the other, I am re-thinking this whole thing.
I also liked the idea of stashing a 100gb drive somewhere in the console and completely keeping it out of the way.
A very creative bunch on here, thanks!

MWS · 09-05-2018, 02:29 PM

Smoke or no, I'd still keep the ability of being able to plug something else in that's not USB. You never know what you might/may have that you'll kick yourself if you remove that option.

That being said, Cjamerson's install is pretty slick.

And Particlewave never ceases to amaze...(there's your second port).

Cjamerson1212 · 09-05-2018, 10:42 PM

Sorry...I'm just now realizing that I posted twice AND used the same picture twice! Here are the caps closed.

Geof3 · 09-05-2018, 11:00 PM

I use this. Plugs into the lighter and gives you temp and volts... usb charger as well. Many different options of the theme. Just be sure to pull it out or it will drain your battery after some time.

https://www.amazon.com/IZTOSS-Universal-Cigarette-Thermometer-Temperature/dp/B014MCRPT0?psc=1&SubscriptionId=AKIAILSHYYTFIVPWUY6Q&tag=duckduckgo-ipad-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B014MCRPT0

robdelorenzo · 09-06-2018, 06:33 AM

One can never have too many gadgets, that looks like a good one!
Also, that's veteran advice about not removing the cig lighter socket.
There's a guy who always has at the bottom of his posts. "Ask me how I know"
I always get a laugh when I see that one.
You guys are most helpful, thank you.

Fintro11 · 09-08-2018, 02:38 PM

Here is the picture of my setup, once I hard wired my radar detector I have had no other competition for the cig lighter

https://imgur.com/a/MzEHDsw

Tjkarp · 09-08-2018, 06:55 PM

Installed a Sony head unit with Apple Car Play. Because the Apple Car Play (or the Android version) requires you to connect to the unit via USB, I wanted to maximize the USB placement. I elected to use the cigerette lighter location. I removed the lighter which is a bit of a pain and gutted it. I used the lighter body as the frame to fit a USB receptacle as well as maintaining the factory lighting for the bezel. I epoxied the USB plug into place and it worked perfectly. I did remove the cig lighter fuse and pulled the 12VDC pin from the connector. I heat shrunk the pin and stowed it in the harness so I could reverse this in the future.

thefunkygibbon · 05-22-2019, 12:19 AM

hi guys, i've ordered a replacement cigarette lighter with usb ports on it, can you advise on how to remove the existing one? I've just looked through the 986 service manual and the only aspect talking about removing it talks about removing the whole dashboard and unclipping it from behind!? is this necessary? can it be done from the front? does it need the stereo removing and unclipping it from behind through the stereo hole?

thanks and sorry for the thread necromancy.

BRAN · 05-22-2019, 07:45 AM

I guess I took it over the top again, for pure esthetic reasons.
Installed a 2nd Porsche cigarette lighter (they just look the best in those slots), fully functional including light ring.
Hooked a dual usb port to it inside and ran a usb cable through the center console into the armrest compartment.
Additional I have a covered usb connector on my Pioneer Radio.
IPhone holder with wireless charging (works perfect with 6s Plus also and a Qi-adaptor)
Wireless Pioneer "Car" Play with IPhone.

GOAL: no usb sticks or CDs, no (visible) cables anymore ACHIEVED