Howcan I fix a shallow cigeratte plug?

[sfalexi]

I had an amazing, mindblowing idea on how to charge stuff on my bike.  Powerlet to cigarette adaptor with a low-profile USB adaptor in the charger.  Man I'm smart!

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And then comes the problem.....it seems that the USB adaptor is slightly too short and isn't making enough connections.  And so it's not working.  Works great in the car, but not with this adaptor.

How can I fix it?  The only thing I can think of is to get some sandpaper and shorten the edge of the socket or something.  Is there anything I can pick up somewhere as a spacer to help make that connection or something?

Alexi

[zer0netgain]

For a shallow plug I'd recommend therapy.  Get it to understand that people want more out of it than it's currently committing to.  

[Mr.Black]

Band saw and a little epoxy.

The therapy probably wouldn't hurt either.

[Rincewind]

Any jimmy-rigged adapters will be prone to failure.  Get a Powerlet adapter for your specific device.

I use this one - http://www.powerlet.com/product/apple-3g-3gs-4g-itouch-standard-powerlet-charging-cable/420

[sfalexi]

Any jimmy-rigged adapters will be prone to failure.  Get a Powerlet adapter for your specific device.

I use this one - http://www.powerlet.com/product/apple-3g-3gs-4g-itouch-standard-powerlet-charging-cable/420

But....that costs more money.  I don't like spending money.

Bummer.  Great idea, foiled by there not being a standard accepted "depth" of socket.

[Rincewind]

But....that costs more money.  I don't like spending money.

Tell it to Santa - it would be a good stocking stuffer.  

[sfalexi]

Tell it to Santa - it would be a good stocking stuffer.  

Just gotta say, LOVE your forum name.  I started getting into Terry Pratchet two years ago and really like his stuff.

Alexi

[black hills]

if the USB adapter unscrews (or comes apart easily) take it apart and replace the prong on the end with a bolt that is a little longer. other than that I would go with the Santa plan......you ahve been good this year, right?

[Rincewind]

Just gotta say, LOVE your forum name.  I started getting into Terry Pratchet two years ago and really like his stuff.

Alexi

Thanks!  I started reading him awhile ago, but just recently got my hands on the film adaptation of Colour of Magic.  Can't wait to watch it over holiday vacation - http://youtu.be/Q7yr9jULfEk

-Alex (without the i)

[radon222]

oooh Crap!!  I had plans for the exact same set up.  In fact I think the Griffin adapter is already in my christmas stocking  

[sfalexi]

oooh Crap!!  I had plans for the exact same set up.  In fact I think the Griffin adapter is already in my christmas stocking  

When I figure out the solution, I'll put it up here and message you that I found it.

Thanks!  I started reading him awhile ago, but just recently got my hands on the film adaptation of Colour of Magic.  Can't wait to watch it over holiday vacation

If you have netflix, they have it there, and they also have the Hogfather.

Alexi

[sfalexi]

Ok.  Got it working, but it's pretty much a permanent thing (very difficult to remove this if I wanted to change it and use it only temporarily).  For myself, I intended on keeping one adaptor as a USB drive permanently so it'll work for me.  Here's what I did . . .

1) Remove the small top part that covers the USB ports and makes it look nice.  Use a very sharp knife to cut between the edge, and then start prying it off.  I kept sawing at it and prying it to get it all the way off...

2) Use a small file, or same knife and wear the left over ring down a little.  This is so you can eventually jam it in the adaptor and press fit it in.

3)  Push it down.  Here's two pics.  The first is where it USED to stop, the second is with it pressed all the way in.



It's not pretty, but it works.  And the thing stays in my glovebox or trunk anyway so it doesn't NEED to be pretty.

If you wanted to remove it, you need needlenose pliers and just grab a part of the metal and pull.  Alternatively, you can stick a piece of ribbon inbetween it and the socket and leave the ribbon sticking out.  This way, you pull on the ribbon, and THAT will pull it out (think of those items that use AA or AAA batteries and they have a ribbon to assist in pulling that first battery out.

Got it working, and now I can keep my droid charged, and anything else that uses a USB.

Alexi

[coho]

Cool!  

I'm gonna make one of those right now.

[ianbh]

Would increasing the inside diameter of the first 1/4" or so of the receptacle by grinding with a Dremel work?  I think cutting down the length of the receptacle with a fine-tooth saw as posted earlier would work even better.  Ian, Iowa

[sfalexi]

Would increasing the inside diameter of the first 1/4" or so of the receptacle by grinding with a Dremel work?  I think cutting down the length of the receptacle with a fine-tooth saw as posted earlier would work even better.  Ian, Iowa

Increasing the inner diameter of the socket MIGHT work.  Cutting the length with a band saw or fine tooth saw would DEFINITELY work.

HOWEVER!!!....

The cost of a griffin USB adaptor is much less than the cost of a powerlet cigarette plug.  If you ever mess with something, cut stuff up, etc. etc., I always choose the cheaper, easier to replace object.

Alexi

[Frankienuckles]

From your pics the USB adapter looked pretty close to being long enough. So, a drop or two of solder on the end of it would most likely work, without  sawing anything. Just need a soldering iron and some solder.   Maybe...

[Avigar]

I would just cut the lighter receptacle out completely and wire and solder the powerlet directly to the USB lighter plug. Use whatever length of wire you'll need between the powerlet and the USB lighter plug.