cigarette lighter/charging port installation

[BDA]

I finally figured out that a regular spare tire was not an option since all my wheels are bigger than will fit in front of the front trunk so I got a tire repair kit and a compressor that runs off the battery. But I need a way to charge things like phones so I bought a cigarette lighter/USB charging port (see attached picture) and I'm ready to install it somewhere.


I thought on the passenger side behind and under the dash would be good but there is very little solid to mount it to. In fact, I can't find much in the entire cabin that is solid enough to mount it. I considered mounting it under the arm rest, but I'm not sure how I'd like having wires coming out from under it and/or pulling the pad up whenever I need to get to it. The pad is attached with Velcro but I worry about using it too much - maybe I worry too much!


Has anybody set one of these up? Where did you mount it? Any ideas?

[Gmg31]

I have fitted one of these with my new fuse box in my glove box.

[jbcollier]

Mine are here:

https://jbcollier.smugmug.com/Lotus-Europa/i-djLnn2H/A

[BDA]

Thanks guys!


John, that's a nice installation! Having that sturdy console/dash situation in the S1 helps. Unfortunately, the flimsy plastic tunnel cover of the TC precludes something as nice as that.


Gmg31, my glove box is pretty thin ABS, I had thought it might be too thin for that but the flange may give it extra strength. I'll look at it again.

[jbcollier]

Epoxy a stiffening plate to the inside of the console.

[BDA]

My console cover is ABS so it's much stiffer than the original vinyl piece that came on my car and I had it covered with the finest hydes from the best naugas (or whatever it's called now) so it's stiffer still but on the TC, that part of the cover is an unsupported flap so I don't think any amount of stiffening would make it a good place to put it unless I could brace it. But then if there were something to brace it against, I could probably mount the charger on that!


I did put a stiffening plate on the "face" of the console where I mounted a clock (in the place of the ashtray), window lift switches, and joysticks for the electric mirrors. That might be a place to mount it but I don't want it to be featured so prominently and it really doesn't fit well there because of all the other stuff that's there.


This has gotten me to consider making a mount I could screw into the back of my dash. I'll have to check to see if I can get a drill back there etc.

[tedtaylor]

Hard to see, but the red button below the dash is the 12-volt accessory outlet I mounted to the only strong mounting point i could find (the heater box).

[BDA]

You know, I considered that briefly but didn't want to poke holes in it but on second thought, I don't think it's dangerous at all since the coils are far away from the box. Something to think about. Thanks!

[Gmg31]

This is my new wiring arrangements

[BDA]

Very nice! Thanks for the picture.

[cwtech]

Would an "L-shaped" bracket (similar to a gauge panel) mounted to the lower edge of the dash work for you?

The screws would go upward into the edge of the wood dash, not into the face of the dash.

The charging ports could be mounted horizontally or vertically depending on where you wish to mount them.

[BDA]

Thanks for the suggestion! At the risk of looking like I've asked for suggestions only to shoot them all down, I didn't want it to be as prominent as that and I worry that because of the moment arm, plugging something into the cigarette lighter side would stress the screws (I'd have to be too careful when using it, if you know what I mean).


I think I'm to going to look closer at mounting it under the arm rest after all. Maybe charging cables wouldn't be so obtrusive or I could just take off the pad when I needed to and if the Velcro gets worn out or comes off, I can just replace it. Seems simple and obvious, but I guess maybe I was looking for the perfect solution that I hadn't considered. (And then, maybe I've been given the perfect solution and I've discounted it!)


When I finally put it all together, I'll post the final result.