Checkered Past

Hey Guys. I have my center console out and now am thinking on replacing the cig lighter with a USB charging port for my I phone. Do you guys have any certain ones you would recommend? I see some with one slot and some with two slots. I mainly want to make sure I am getting a good one and not a crappy one with will not work a year from now. Also i assume you are using the cig light power source and just clipping off the plug end to power the new USB? If so, that would make the USB powered all the time correct? Any issues with this? I appreciate any and all feedback guys. I have looked over a bunch of the threads this morning and see different options but wanted an update on what has really worked well.

FatsWaller

Just this comment. There will be some parasitic drain regardless if anything is plugged into the USB port. The last thing these cars need is more parasitic drain, so check what the no-load draw is when you are researching product. No biggie if you are hooked up to a battery tender when parked at home.

JABCAT

FWIW I just use one of these in the center console because I also use that outlet for things such as a tire inflator. I’d hate to be stuck somewhere with a low tire or flat & not be able to inflate it.

I did replace the lighter outlet in the ashtray compartment with a USB port that goes right to the back of my head unit.

Dano523

Back it up, and what phone. Hence does the phone have fast charging to start with?
The lighter outlets is 12V, 10 amp fused, so if your phone does have fast charging, then you want USB adapter that does have fast charging as well (5 volt- 3+ amps output).


Next, keep in mind that both center console and the front ashtray outlet are live even with the car shut off, so when you are not using the USB adapter, then unplug it so your not draining the battery. Hence although the USB adapter is not drawing a lot of power by it self when the car is off, it is still pulling power from its 12 to 5V drop down circuitry.

Or,

You can remove the OEM lighter plug outlet that stays constant Hot, and replace it with a USB 5v-3 amp outlet that you can wire to a power source that does shut off with the car so it not draining the battery when the car is off instead.

GS-2013

Talking about parasitic drain...2013 C6, are the USB and 3.5MM aux live when the engine is off? I'd like to leave the cables plugged in with the ignition off. I'm pretty sure I can but want to be certain.

Dano523

Both tie into the radio as inputs, which the radio is put into sleep mode by the BCM when the car is shut off. So no, will not draw power when the car is shut off.

Turbo6TA

Maybe it varies with different year C6s, but with my 2011 GS, the cigarette lighter plug below the AC panel is dead when the car is shut down.

I use that cigarette plug to power my small tire inflator when I need it ... and I get no power out of the plug unless I put the start button into accessory mode.
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EDIT: . . I just remembered. With just being in accessory mode, there is a built-in timer and after about 25 minutes, it will turn off accessory mode and you will loose power to that cigarette lighter plug.

I know this because if you turn on accessory mode (engine not running) and listen to the radio, after about 25 minutes the radio will shut down when it goes out of accessory mode ... And it does this with the OEM radio head unit or an aftermarket head unit such as the Kenwood I now have.

I have never found a way to defeat that 25 minute timer. Just have to go back in the car every 25 minutes and put it back into accessory more ... pain in the ****
.

GS-2013

Thanks!

mickeykelley

I have one of the double USB port adapters that plug into the slot in the console. It has a small red led light that stays on when car is turned off. The vette (and my other vehicles) has had that for multiple years now and has sat for 2-4 weeks before without being driven with no dead batteries yet.

Fast Dawg

One thing I don’t see mentioned here is how hot the inside of the console gets on these cars. I have a USB port in the spot you are considering, plugged my iPhone into it, shut the console cover, and my iPhone was super heated when I pulled it out to use it. I had to let it cool down before it would let me do anything. I no longer use that USB port.

Checkered Past

Thanks fellas for all the input. I think I will just look for a good fast charging plug and keep the cig lighter as is. I did put dyno mat extreme under my console to help with the heat while the console it out. I was just thinking maybe this would be an easy upgrade but you guys have kinda talked me out of it lol... This forum is fun and I appreciate all who offer good ideas/advise. Have a good week!