Cigarette lighter area switch panel
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,786
Likes: 7
From: Iowa
Cigarette lighter area switch panel
my cigarette lighter area is broken up pretty badly and I could use a place to mount some switches and aux inputs for my audio system, so I'm going to build a switch panel in that area. I think I have a plan already but I have seen some pictures of others who have done this. any advice for someone who hasn't done this yet? I've looked at the existing panel and I think I know which parts I'm going to remove and what's going to stay as mounting points for the new panel. at this time I plan to leave the door in place so I can close it off and hide everything if I want to. I might reinforce some pieces with fiberglas to make it stronger. I've broken my console in many places already due to the cheap brittle plastic its made out of. I'm concerned to a certain extent about how to make a switch panel strong enough to prevent it from breaking as switches are pressed.
if anyone has any pictures of others I'd like to see them as well, I'm going to continue to search for more information.
thanks!
if anyone has any pictures of others I'd like to see them as well, I'm going to continue to search for more information.
thanks!
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 19,384
Likes: 87
From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
I fitted the switchesfor my heated seats in there. I emoved the inner door and just use the outer door to cover them when not in use.
I had a plastic panel which was the right size but it still has a gap around the edge.
I've often thought about making a new panel that takes both the switches and the cigarette lighter. I'd like a cleaner look.
I had a plastic panel which was the right size but it still has a gap around the edge.
I've often thought about making a new panel that takes both the switches and the cigarette lighter. I'd like a cleaner look.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,786
Likes: 7
From: Iowa
thanks! I'm hoping with mine to cut out the factory power outlet and the ash tray and leave the little span of plastic in between, maybe reinforce it with fiberglass, and put a new panel all the way across. I hope to be able to leave the door on it but if things go wrong I can always cut off more and flush mount a switch panel in that area. I'm nervous about cutting the dash pieces but they are so broken up right now anyway from removing and installing it a few times while doing my stereo and replacing the flasher. I have to get it through my head that I really have nothing to loose here, it looks terrible as it is. worse case I just need to buy a new radio bezel.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 19,384
Likes: 87
From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
I think that would work. If you trim out the area that holds the cigarette lighter and then flush mount a panel shaped to fit the full width it might look good. I would then mont the two heated seat switches and te power outlet on the flush panel.
I may try that one of these days.
I may try that one of these days.
Racer
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 478
Likes: 1
From: Newark de
There is a member on here that makes these. They are the very best. I hope he chimes in here his name is "Beer???" something and I cant find it. Don't buy anything 'till you talk to this guy. He has the switches and the panel the works. Here is the one he set up for my nitrous.
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Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,786
Likes: 7
From: Iowa
That looks awesome! and actually, its very similar to the one I built this past weekend. I'll try to get some pictures up later today if time permits. I like those switches, they are actually the exact same ones that I used. I put mine right side up but I'm afraid of the LED's on them blinding me at night time when they are on, so I may try flipping them upside down just like yours. my panel also has ports for my audio system's RCA aux input and an integrated USB connector for audio. I messed up cutting the slot for the USB connector so it doesn't look as good as it could have. I may end up rebuilding it. after I have the dimensions I need making anotehr one wouldn't be that hard. just alot of sanding to get it to the right shape. looks like yours is mounted in exactly the same way I was going to do mine. I have mine attached with double sided tape for now, but I want to add some machine screws to hold it in later. another great feature is I was able to leave the door completely in tact. I can't close the door if using the USB or RCA, but when not in use it will close.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,786
Likes: 7
From: Iowa
Here's the panel I built over the weekend. I screwed up on part of it which is why the slot for the USB connector is too big. I might rebuild it to fix that, but for the most part its great. I also need to re-paint it and drill holes to use screws to mount instead of 3M tape.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 242
Likes: 0
From: Chula Vista CA
You might want to try making some abs sludge, the same method people have been using to make the double din bezels. It's actually pretty easy, just go to home depot, pick up some M.E.K. and abs pipe, throw chunks of abs in the M.E.K. (inside of a container of sorts, i'm using an old shampoo bottle) and it will make a sludge, then pour out the sludge, shape it how you want it, after exposed to the air for a while it hardens and welds itself to the plastic. sand it down and looks like it was always there.
I have been experimenting with this as I'm about to undertake the double din bezel mod.
I recently fixed an alarm fob that had the ring broken off, so couldnt attach to key ring. Works great.
I have been experimenting with this as I'm about to undertake the double din bezel mod.
I recently fixed an alarm fob that had the ring broken off, so couldnt attach to key ring. Works great.
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Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,786
Likes: 7
From: Iowa
thanks! sounds pretty easy, I may have to give that a try. what radio of MEX to ABS?
where can you buy the SEM textured paint to match the stock interior? I know that's the best stuff, but I don't know if you have to buy it or what. when I'm completely done with this project I probably want to paint my piece with that stuff so it looks like it was put there by the general.
where can you buy the SEM textured paint to match the stock interior? I know that's the best stuff, but I don't know if you have to buy it or what. when I'm completely done with this project I probably want to paint my piece with that stuff so it looks like it was put there by the general.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 13,404
Likes: 55
From: Glastonbury CT.
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17,'20, '21,'22, '23
I have a nitrous system and wanted a clean hidden panal for the switches, but I didn't want to lose the cigarette lighter availability.
I used a "Beer" panal and bought a small square pressure gage pressure gage for the nitrous. The back of the pressure gage was modifified so that it 'plugged' into the cigarette lighter receptical.
The clam shell door flips closed as normal and when I want to use the nitrous I flip open the door and everything looks nice and neat and works. If I want to use the cigarette lighter I gently pull out the pressure gage and the lighter is available for use for whatever.
Just one more idea.
777
I used a "Beer" panal and bought a small square pressure gage pressure gage for the nitrous. The back of the pressure gage was modifified so that it 'plugged' into the cigarette lighter receptical.
The clam shell door flips closed as normal and when I want to use the nitrous I flip open the door and everything looks nice and neat and works. If I want to use the cigarette lighter I gently pull out the pressure gage and the lighter is available for use for whatever.
Just one more idea.
777
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 242
Likes: 0
From: Chula Vista CA
I just used a couple of ounces of M.E.K. and cut up chunks of the abs (found in plumbing section) pipe and tossed it in the shampoo bottle. It takes very little M.E.K.(found in paint section)
I think you will like how easy it is to use. Just wear gloves, those chemicals cant be good for the skin.
I think you will like how easy it is to use. Just wear gloves, those chemicals cant be good for the skin.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,786
Likes: 7
From: Iowa
I have a nitrous system and wanted a clean hidden panal for the switches, but I didn't want to lose the cigarette lighter availability.
I used a "Beer" panal and bought a small square pressure gage pressure gage for the nitrous. The back of the pressure gage was modifified so that it 'plugged' into the cigarette lighter receptical.
The clam shell door flips closed as normal and when I want to use the nitrous I flip open the door and everything looks nice and neat and works. If I want to use the cigarette lighter I gently pull out the pressure gage and the lighter is available for use for whatever.
Just one more idea.
777
I used a "Beer" panal and bought a small square pressure gage pressure gage for the nitrous. The back of the pressure gage was modifified so that it 'plugged' into the cigarette lighter receptical.
The clam shell door flips closed as normal and when I want to use the nitrous I flip open the door and everything looks nice and neat and works. If I want to use the cigarette lighter I gently pull out the pressure gage and the lighter is available for use for whatever.
Just one more idea.
777
