Replacing ashtray with more 12v and USB ports

[Galane]

K-Mart threw me some "surprise points" so I bagged a Bell Automotive 22-1-39279-8 5 outlet power station with three 12v sockets and a pair of USB ports. Cost $5.99 for shipping.

Soon as it arrived I had it taken apart, got the ashtray out of the 82 GMC and with a bit of Cardboard Aided Design...

The PCB the USB ports are mounted on is pointed towards the top so it fits under the upper metal ledge. Can't point down or it'd interfere with one of the 12V sockets.

Now I need to find a thick piece of plastic or something to mount the parts to for permanent install. Inside the original housing it's all hot glued together. I'll use some epoxy, and I'm going to replace the wires connecting the sockets with a heavier gauge. Already have a good size wire on a direct run out to the battery and will have an inline fuse under the hood. May also add a battery saver circuit.

 

[smoothandlow84]

Great idea. It's funny how technology driven we are. I'm waiting for someone to install a navigation screen in their 80's dash next. I'm wanting a backup camera in my rearview mirror.

 

[Galane]

If I had my 3D printer done I'd use it to make a custom piece that would hold these parts and attach to the tip out. I could CNC mill something...

I'm thinking of a rearview video screen in the empty pocket in the dash panel. I'd have it on all the time instead of just when in reverse. Would be very useful with a load on the truck.

 

[cyclic]

I just used a piece of aluminum cut from a cookie sheet. Drilled and mounted where I needed. Used pop rivets to attach.

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USB port, 3 LED indicators, 12v and a computer port for my EFI programming.

 

[Turbo Dog]

Great idea. It's funny how technology driven we are. I'm waiting for someone to install a navigation screen in their 80's dash next. I'm wanting a backup camera in my rearview mirror.

That's what I did when my speedo died...no cool pictures, I just use the suction cup mount on the speedo face. I bought a Garmin Nuvi for $89, a lot cheaper than fixing the speedo.

You can also get a gps that has a backup camera, I think the website I saw them at is cam4u. But for someone reason my work firewall won't let me go to that site anymore.