My power plug below the glove box was loose and getting looser. I used it with my GPS and a portable compressor. I also used it with a USB adapter to charge my iPad and iPhone. I tried to tighten it without luck and tried to disassemble without success.

I wanted it secure plus the availability of USB without cables running on top of the console. This worked for me.

1. Wiggle the power adapter until the rear threaded cylinder falls off.
2. Buy one of the plastic hole plugs at a hardware store they use to cover holes in stuff. They come in various sizes. 1 1/2 to 2" works. I used the silver because it has a thin lip.

3. Buy a new cigarette lighter or power adapter.
4. Bore a hole in the plug hole to receive the new adapter, secured with the new screw-on cylinder.
5. Detach the original adapter from it's wires and remove.
6. Bore out the console hole (carefully, in stages) until the hole plug will fit with proper tightness. You can now remove the old threaded cylinder.
7. Splice a second wire pair to the original in the console and run it forward under the console and out on driver's side. Place the new power socket through the Honda adapter cover, through the hole cover and secure with the threaded cylinder. Attach the wire pairs to the power plug. Now you can place the entire replacement assembly into the console.
8. Pop the under dash panel abover drivers right knee. Bore a hole to accept a USB adapter. The hole will be oval because the adapter enters at an angle. Cut some styrofoam away to accompdate and stabilize the adapter. You want a straight tight fit, completed with a touch of crazy glue. Here are the pieces.


This is the finished panel ready for wires to be attached and popped back in place.

This has worked well for me. It is convenient and out of the way. No more adapter and wires at my right elbow and flopping around.

Do consider whether you want a light on the adapter. I went with a red light and I am not keen on red lights on my dash. I would go with green or none next time.


Sent from byte heaven

 

I wish I didn't have to drill into the plastic, do you think we could just replace the stock one with a setup like this?

 

Yes you could, but the adapter fits there anyway. You would lose the ability to use the cylinder plug devices if you actually hard installed the adapter. My GPS accepts a USB connector so it doesn't need the original socket anymore, but the little emergency compressor I carry still does. I didn't want to drill either, but I really didn't like the cables and mess at my elbow. There are not many places in the S2K cockpit to add things and this just seemed the best compromise.


One thing to explore would be to suspend a USB connection below where I inserted mine using a custom made bracket clipped on the top of the pop-off panel. If your legs are long your knee might hit it though. Maybe terminate it in the cup holder compartment.