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Thread: DIY: Glovebox power adapter

  1. #1
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    DIY: Glovebox power adapter

    So there I was, looking to buy an 12v adapter for my flashlight receptacle to keep the woman's cellphone charged when she's riding shotgun. I really do hate all those cables in my shifter area.

    The complete adapters from BMW are relatively inexpensive; however, after doing some looking around for the right size female banana jacks, I found that I had all the parts necessary in one of my project bins to make one.

    You can source the female lighter socket with leads pretty much anywhere.
    For the female connectors, you'll need to head down to Radio Shack and purchase a bag of these for 3 bux...

    "Saftey-Type Binding Posts" SKU 274-0009
    10A 250V AC Binding Posts (2-Pack)
    Model: 274-009 | Catalog #: 274-009



    Connect them up with crimped spades to your socket leads and you're done! These things accept the power receptacle's banana slugs, and fit into the light recess perfectly.





    Enjoy!

    Dan

  2. #2
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    thats a very simple but useful diy. thanks for the tip.
    R.I.P. 328is
    current - 95 m3

  3. #3
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    not a bad little device that you created. you're aware that bmw sells an adapter for the same purpose and it uses a nice long coiled cord, right? I bought mine on ebay for $10 shipped a long time ago, I'm sure you can find more of them.

    http://shop.ebay.com/i.html?_nkw=bmw...1&_from=&_ipg=

    this is the one that I have: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BMW-A...fAudioQ5fVideo
    Last edited by themadhatter; 02-01-2010 at 10:43 PM.

    Hey man, I'm a professional!

  4. #4
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    There are 2 types of adapters. The one that fits our cars (with the white flashlight) are NLA and bavauto does not carry them.

    So your best bet is to either buy and make your own, or trying to find one from the dealership.

    OP: Thanks for posting the diy, I sourced two of the E36 glovebox adapters a short time ago when I figure I wasn't able to make these, despite how easy it actually is!
    Last edited by desynch; 02-02-2010 at 12:02 AM.

  5. #5
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    Yeah, I'm aware BMW sells an adapter for the same purpose.. as I mentioned in my thread. And I almost bought one. Two things. First, I already had most of the stuff to make it except the 3 dollar lugs (10 > 3), secondly, there's not a lot of room in the glovebox anyway. I didn't want yet another long coiled up cord in there, as the cellphone charger also has a long coiled up cord. This little guy saves room and fits MY need perfectly -- so I just figured it might fit someone else's too. :O)

  6. #6
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    Slick work.

    Props.

    Cosmos on Black '98.5 M3 Coupe 5MT

  7. #7
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    Nice work! What did you use to cover up the crimped spades to make them look so clean?
    <brett>

  8. #8
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    Nice idea!

  9. #9
    NeilM is offline Member BMW E36 M3 Expert
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    Quote Originally Posted by desynch View Post
    There are 2 types of adapters. The one that fits our cars (with the white flashlight) are NLA and bavauto does not carry them.
    I have at least one of these, maybe two. If anyone needs one, PM me.

    Neil

  10. #10
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    Nice work! Never even thought about having another power source in there..

    Quote Originally Posted by colbytwentytwo View Post
    Nice work! What did you use to cover up the crimped spades to make them look so clean?
    Wire heatshrink. Have it at radio shack. Apply heat and it wraps/shrinks nicely around wires.

    1998 e36 M3 - Money Pit
    1991 e30 325iX - Daily/Snow Sled

  11. #11
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    Quote Originally Posted by Poowill View Post
    Nice work! Never even thought about having another power source in there..
    Yeah this lil project works out okay in a pinch. However, the next time I have my glovebox apart, I'm thinking of just drilling the box and installing a surface-mount 12v lighter socket in there (I think someone else even mentioned doing this), and maybe plugging it with one of these somewhat flushmount USB charging ports when not in use...




    Bout 10 bux at cyberguys -> http://www.cyberguys.com/product-det...CH#page=page-1


    Quote Originally Posted by Poowill View Post
    Wire heatshrink. Have it at radio shack. Apply heat and it wraps/shrinks nicely around wires.
    Best stuff ever my friend.
    Last edited by BeerHat; 06-28-2010 at 03:34 PM.

  12. #12
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    Re

    Funny....now BMW is making one very similar.

  13. #13
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    Quote Originally Posted by M3C View Post
    Funny....now BMW is making one very similar.

    Making what? The 5V adapter thingie?

  14. #14
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    BMW USB Charger

    Yes.
    Attached Images Attached Images

  15. #15
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    Quote Originally Posted by M3C View Post
    Yes.
    LOL.. niiiiice.

  16. #16
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    If it lights up amber I'm buying one. I hate how my adapter's led is blue

  17. #17
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    Re

    Quote Originally Posted by jmejia15 View Post
    If it lights up amber I'm buying one. I hate how my adapter's led is blue
    It lights up green (small rectangle led) like some other BMW green lights such as AC on etc.
    Believe the orange circle around cig. lighter is still visible with this but have not seen a picture how it looks in E36 cars.

  18. #18
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    this seems like a pretty cool idea, just modify the LEDs to amber.

  19. #19
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    I picked up one at Walmart that is made by Duracell. It is simple black with green LED. Also it is more flush with slight lip. Almost makes the ciglighter unrecognizable as per S.O.

  20. #20
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    Same as PC only it says travel on the side and no logo on the face.

    These are awesome.

    regmedia.co.uk/2009/04/24/belkin_micro_usb.jpg
    Last edited by HomerMAC; 01-11-2012 at 12:41 AM.

  21. #21
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    Re

    Quote Originally Posted by HomerMAC View Post
    Same as PC only it says travel on the side and no logo on the face.

    These are awesome.

    regmedia.co.uk/2009/04/24/belkin_micro_usb.jpg
    What are the specs for this, is it 1.2 mA ?

  22. #22
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    I've been looking for a replacement flashlight/aux adaptor....so the latest ones don't work with the E36?
    1997 Arctic Silver/Black M3
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  23. #23
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    With the cig lighter socket next to the shifter, it gets too messy w/ the cords n stuff everywhere and looks like a mess.

  24. #24
    RRSperry's Avatar
    RRSperry is offline Senior Moment Member BMW E36 M3 Expert
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    I bought an adapter on ebay, it's all black but it fits the slot in the glovebox and works fine. I don't know if it was an old or new sytle, in fact I didn't even look when I bought it.
    No matter where you go, there you are...

  25. #25
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    The only adapters I found on ebay were for 3 series 99 and above. It is the same one Bavauto sells and they told me it definitely would not work....you might have snatched up an old one.
    1997 Arctic Silver/Black M3
    CES Stage IV (651rwhp/615rwtq @ 24 psi)

    1999 Techno Violet/Dove M3
    Auto/Convertible and staying stock!

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