Author Topic: Quick question re USB charging.  (Read 3798 times)

Offline Sootchucker

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Quick question re USB charging.
« on: 21 March 2019, 07:51 »
The answer to this maybe no, but I'll give it a go nonetheless.

Quite often when I'm in the car, I'll be using Android Auto (so my phone plugged into the forward USB socket ahead of the gearstick). More often that not, my wife's Iphone needs charging at the same time, as she always seems to operate it around the 10% charge mark.  ;D

I was therefore wondering if anyone had added a USB charge point into the glovebox that looks OEM (doesn't need to be data just power)? I'm thinking that the little credit card holder that sits near the glovebox light (the plastic piece with the slots in it), is never used in my car, and I was wondering if anyone had come across a replacement panel that had a USB socket instead ?

I was thinking with the fuse box right behind the glove box, it was be pretty simple to power the USB socket directly from a piggyback fuse in the fuse box (the same one as powers the cigarette lighter). Obviously I'd need a USB socket that was designed for the 12V of a car and just needed a positive and negative connection to the fusebox, but there seems to be loads of these around ?

I know I can add a USB charge socket to the cigarette lighter socket behind the handbrake button, but I hate trailing cables (a bit OCD), so thought a hidden charge point would look better?

Any thoughts? This is the piece I'm referring to :

« Last Edit: 21 March 2019, 07:58 by Sootchucker »
2022 Tiguan R-Line 2.0 TSI 4-Motion. Nightshade blue, pano roof, IQ lights, Nav Pro, Harmon Kardon, Heated Windscreen, Heated rear seats, Wireless charging, Heads up display, dual height boot floor, Keyless with electric tailgate, Electronic TPMS, underbody protection, Area View Cameras


Offline Sootchucker

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Re: Quick question re USB charging.
« Reply #2 on: 21 March 2019, 08:01 »
Thanks, but I've tried one of them before. If I have my phone connected then plug another one in via the splitter, it does weird things to android auto or apple car play, as the car doesn't seem to know which connection to use and both phones compete with each other ?
2022 Tiguan R-Line 2.0 TSI 4-Motion. Nightshade blue, pano roof, IQ lights, Nav Pro, Harmon Kardon, Heated Windscreen, Heated rear seats, Wireless charging, Heads up display, dual height boot floor, Keyless with electric tailgate, Electronic TPMS, underbody protection, Area View Cameras

Offline 2007GTI

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Re: Quick question re USB charging.
« Reply #3 on: 21 March 2019, 08:10 »
ah right, good point
2014 Mk7 GTI DSG 5dr in Carbon Grey, 18s, leather

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Offline mcmaddy

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Re: Quick question re USB charging.
« Reply #4 on: 21 March 2019, 08:31 »
Can you not just change the cigarette lighter socket for a usb one? Wiring already running to power cigarette lighter.
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Offline fredgroves

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Re: Quick question re USB charging.
« Reply #5 on: 21 March 2019, 08:57 »
I've got just one of those flush ciggy lighter USB chargers. Leave it in there all the time and either charge passenger's phone or whatever other electronic junk that I have that needs charging.

Cost me about £2 from ebay, installed in seconds!
Current: Mk8 GTI DSG, Adelaides, DCC, HUD, HK, Winter Pack, Rear Camera.. Aka "HMS Weasel"

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Gone: 2014 Mk7 GTD, manual, NavPro, DCC

Offline clarky92

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Re: Quick question re USB charging.
« Reply #6 on: 21 March 2019, 08:58 »
I've got just one of those flush ciggy lighter USB chargers. Leave it in there all the time and either charge passenger's phone or whatever other electronic junk that I have that needs charging.

Cost me about £2 from ebay, installed in seconds!

Same, works perfectly. I use Android Auto and the girlfriend charges her phone, win win!
Currently: MK8 GTI Clubsport - DCC - Reflex Silver - Adelaide 19"s - Rear Camera

Previous: 3x MK7.5 GTI Performance Pack

Offline Ryan90GTI

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Re: Quick question re USB charging.
« Reply #7 on: 21 March 2019, 09:45 »



Why not plug yours in under the armrest like above and let your missus charge hers from the usb in the dash? Failing that I have a brand new sealed car charger.



Offline Finglonga

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Re: Quick question re USB charging.
« Reply #8 on: 21 March 2019, 10:57 »
I use the Anker high speed charger, the red strip lights up as well so matched the GTI stripes.


Offline fredgroves

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Re: Quick question re USB charging.
« Reply #9 on: 21 March 2019, 11:12 »
Is that a fast charger? I've been looking for a fast charger but can't find one that definitely does it...
Current: Mk8 GTI DSG, Adelaides, DCC, HUD, HK, Winter Pack, Rear Camera.. Aka "HMS Weasel"

Gone: 2017 Mk7.5 GTD,manual, NavPro
Gone: 2014 Mk7 GTD, manual, NavPro, DCC