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Would tapping into a my cars cigarette lighter for power for a USB socket work? ?

I was looking to add some USB ports to my old car, but found that I could, for cheaper, actually install the port into my car rather than just rely on some plug-in for the cigarette lighter. I tried to look online and on YouTube to see if how's its done and it seems pretty straight forward. However I want to know everything before I attempt to drill or rewire anything because this stuff isn't really my forte. 

I'v seen some people just replace their old cigarette lighter port with the USB port, and others that wire to the lighter circuit instead (what I was thinking to do, since I have some extra plastic pieces under the radio that I assume were left there to add more switches if the owner wanted), and others that wired it into a fuse (ACC). 

Which is the better option? I know that wiring to the battery is a stupid option since it would just drain the battery. If I wire to the lighter circuit for power, would that cause any problems, could I keep both the lighter and install the USB port if I did that. How exactly would wiring to a fuse work (one car had the fuse on the left of the steering wheel below the dash, while another had it under the hood, where I think mine is). 

For the Record, I have a 07 Dodge Caliber, that Im trying to upgrade. Not the greatest car out there, but its my first car and I love it. 

5 Answers

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  • 3 months ago
    Favorite Answer

    No - you need to convert the power.

    That's what those little plug-in things do.

    If you were so inclined, you could disassemble one, remove your lighter socket, and figure out how to wire it directly, but the advantage of just plugging them in is that if one fails, you can just toss it and plug in another one.

  • 3 months ago

    The lighter/power outlet is 12 volts.

    USB is 5 volts.

    The plug in adapters are FAR better than anything you would construct on your own.

  • Anonymous
    3 months ago

    Absolutely retarded. Just get one of those usb plug in things for the 12v socket.

  • Anonymous
    3 months ago

    Why yes, yes it would.

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  • ?
    Lv 6
    3 months ago

    I wouldn’t even stress that much over it.  You can get a flush mounted adapter like this pic for around $12.  It gives the same clean appearance without tearing up your car. And it can go with you to your next one.

    Attachment image
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