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Maybe a dumb question....but here goes...

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2.1K views 10 replies 7 participants last post by  pooge30  
#1 ·
I have a 2024 ID.4 Pro, and my question is: is there a cigarette lighter ANYWHERE in the front? Obviously I found the one in the rear AND I moved the corresponding fuse so it's powered when the car is off...but for powering things that don't use USB-C (e.g. tire pump or mag safe charger) what can you do in the front.
 
#3 ·
WOW! I wonder why VW didn't include one!?!?! So SunWizard got me thinking and on Amazon I did find a USB-C to cigarette lighter adapter. Seems like reverse engineering something really simple but I guess that as good as it gets.

I really was hoping that someone would tell me there was a secret hidden one up under the dash but you need a secret code level 13 powers to access it.
 
#4 · (Edited)
I did find a USB-C to cigarette lighter adapter.
Note that the USB-C ports are limited to 2A at 5volts so don't use the tire pump or many other things. The outlet in the back can handle 20A so an extension from there is better, if the cord is rated for it.
 
#5 ·
From that standpoint it may be preferable to adapt "the thing" to USB-C rather than having a freely available 12 volt socket that will blow a fuse whenever the wrong device is plugged in.

However I expect it would be somewhat trivial to identify a suitable 12 volt source and install a properly rated 12 volt socket somewhere up front near where it's needed.
 
#7 ·
I plug my mag safe charger into the USB-C port. The last 12v lighter socket powered tire pump I used had a fairly long cord - long enough to reach from the trunk to the front wheels. It's been a bit since I had a need for a 12v socket. I was a bit miffed that I had to replace a few USB-A cables with USB-C cables when I got the ID.4, but that's progress for ya...
 
#8 ·
This is what I use to power dash cameras in two cars: Amazon.com: Moqidong USB C to 12V Adapter, USB C to 12V Cigarette Lighter Adapter PD3.0 Type C Male to 12V Cigarette Lighter Socket Female Cable for Dash Cam Power Bank GPS Car Led Light Strips 2 Pack : Automotive

I am very reluctant to try to mod anything electrical on this vehicle, or run wires or extension from front to back, so I look for plug and play solutions

Been using two of those USBC converters now since November and no issues with our dashcams.

They wont run anything else that pulls more amps, like an inverter to run a laptop. And that has been a problem: on some road trips, I often will sit in the pax seat and work on the laptop while another drives, and when the battery in the laptop runs out, we have to pull over somewhere, I have to get out, plug the inverter in back in the cargo area, and then run the laptop wire over the back seat to the right front pax seat. I find the lack of a 12volt power outlet in the front or a 110 volt ac outlet, common in some cars of this price point and calibre (my 2006 ford escape hybrid had a front AC outlet) really annoying.

I am considering something like this:
Amazon.com: Renogy 72000mAh 266Wh 12v Power Bank with 60W PD, CPAP Battery for Camping, High Capacity Large Camping Power Bank with USB-C DC Wireless Charging & Flashlight, CPAP Battery Backup Power Supply : Electronics

Which has a 12v power outlet, and it can be recharged from a USB C connection. So for running the laptop, it pulls from its own battery, plug my inverter into it, and use the USB C connecton to slow recharge it.

Alternate would be something like this which has a built in inverter
Amazon.com: ROMOSS Power Bank Station 75,000mAh, 240Wh Outdoor Power Station, LiFePO4 Battery Pack, 200W AC Outlet, 100W USB-C in/out, Fast Charging, Smart Display and LED Light, for Outdoor Camping and Emergency : Cell Phones & Accessories

Just not sure best place to something like this so it does not look totally out of place yet remains convenient.


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#9 ·
<SNIP>
They wont run anything else that pulls more amps, like an inverter to run a laptop. And that has been a problem: on some road trips, I often will sit in the pax seat and work on the laptop while another drives, and when the battery in the laptop runs out, we have to pull over somewhere, I have to get out, plug the inverter in back in the cargo area, and then run the laptop wire over the back seat to the right front pax seat. I find the lack of a 12volt power outlet in the front or a 110 volt ac outlet, common in some cars of this price point and calibre (my 2006 ford escape hybrid had a front AC outlet) really annoying.
<SNIP>
Data point. I bought the following unit when we had battery issues with our Alltrack.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09M9HQG73
It had a good review by the Project Farm guy.
Then when the electricity went out for a while the SO used it to power a laptop.
I'm not sure how many mAh it has. Never mind, I just found the spec - it's 24,000 mAh. The two units you mentioned have 3 times that capacity.

The Romoss looks slick and has 100W output... that gets my vote.