My $5.00 6 volt USB charging solution
 

I bought a duel USB motorcycle charger on eBay for 3.85 and a lighted USB cable in the dollar store, wired it up positive to pos and negative to neg on 6 volts, it works like a charm. The thing is all plastic, so you won't have to worry about a stray ground. I like the lighted USB cable so I can see at at glance that I have power.

Re: My $5.00 6 volt USB charging solution
 

What a great idea. Thanks that solved a problem for mounting since the housing is plastic it can be mounted anywhere. Since it is nothing more than voltage reducer, I wondered if 6 volt would be a sufficient supply and eventually it is.

Re: My $5.00 6 volt USB charging solution
 

I did the same. Charged my mp3 player fine but not my cell phone.

Re: My $5.00 6 volt USB charging solution
 

Professor, Did you by any chance check the voltage output from the unit? (To the OP; same question.) All in all, I like the idea and plan on using it.

Re: My $5.00 6 volt USB charging solution
 

So far I have only used it with my phone, I have a tablet and USB powered GPS I still need to try.

Re: My $5.00 6 volt USB charging solution
 

Not sure when cigar/cigarette lighters first came in cars. I have a 53' Merc so by then they did have one. The adapter will not work since the polarity is reversed, the best idea was the original one. I will mount the charger in my ash tray, so it will be out of sight. This works well in my wife's 70' Cougar though.

Re: My $5.00 6 volt USB charging solution
 

On the wiring diagrams 33 is the first year I see a Cig Lighter on. The 32 diagram does not show one, but I have no idea if they were added later in the production year.

Re: My $5.00 6 volt USB charging solution
 

'32 deluxe coupes (3 windows) had a cigar lighter as standard equipment from Job #1.

Re: My $5.00 6 volt USB charging solution
 

DING. Pay the man! Priceless information.:)

Re: My $5.00 6 volt USB charging solution
 

I bought this one and decided to install it in the ashtray. (I wasn't using the ash tray any way since I gave up smoking when cigarettes went from a quarter to 35 cents from a machine). I had another ash tray in the extra dash that I have hanging on the wall. First I drilled a hole in the bottom and put a rubber grommet in it to make sure the metal wouldn't rub and cut the wire and create a short. The best thing about these USB units, is that they are all plastic so no grounding issues. I took the plastic rectangle that came with the unit (one of the reasons I bought this USB plug) and cut it down so it fits directly in the top of the ash tray. I remembered that the "+" side of the plug goes to ground and the "-" side of the plug goes to the hot lead, controlled by the ignition switch (mine is still 6 volt pos ground in the 53' Merc). It works great and is not noticeable when not in use. And in the event the next owner (once they pry the steering wheel from my cold dead hands) wants to go back to original, all they have to do is disconnect the two wires and insert the other ashtray.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/12V-DC-3-1A-...QAAOSwv0tVCkYN

Re: My $5.00 6 volt USB charging solution
 

For those who may be curious, Henry Ford was down on cigarettes in a big way, and would not have a cigarette lighter in his Fords. Henry Ford had cigar lighters in his Fords. :D This is truth, not a joke. Henry apparently justified it to himself by reasoning that cigar smokers didn't inhale. :rolleyes:

Re: My $5.00 6 volt USB charging solution
 

Yep, cigar lighters only! Light a cigarette with one and Bennett will send someone to have a "talk" with you!
More history: There was an accessory cigar lighter for Model A's at least by '29. It was accessory only, not factory installed (unless maybe in the Town Car, a very special oddball?). In 1932 it was installed only in the deluxe coupe as noted above, but the Service Bulletins contained instructions for installing that lighter in other bodies by drilling out the center dash panel screw.
Remember, cigars only!

"..cigar smokers didn't inhale." And neither did anyone else within 50 feet.

Re: My $5.00 6 volt USB charging solution
 

Gee, I wonder if you could mount the Model A accessory one by drilling a hole in the dash for it.

Re: My $5.00 6 volt USB charging solution
 

Looks like they were to the left of the steering column brace, or was that an aftermarket unit?

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=201687