BillK

I generally love my '09 RAV4, but one really annoying feature is that they built one of the cup holders DIRECTLY in front of the cigarette lighter....where, of course, I plug in my adapter to power my GPS unit and cell phone. The result...I frequently cause the adapter to lose power whenever I pull my coffee cup out of the holder and bump the end of the adapter.

So...does anyone know of a company that sells a very compact (i.e., short) cigarette lighter adapter. I've tried dozens of Google searches, but they only turn up units that are as tall or taller than the one I already own. I'm beginning to wonder if it's time to mod something up.

And yes, I could draw power directly off the wiring in the dashboard, but would rather leave my car in original condition (as much as possible).

BillK

colleen c

A Google search came up with this Right Angle Plug with 8A Fuse Philmore 48-785. Scroll down near the center of the page and you"ll see the plug. It claim to stick out only 5/8" of an inch with an overall length of 2 1/8" including tip. The dimension are here. From the website, it sound like you will need to provide your own wire and socket or a pigtail socket. Other choice will be to cutoff the old plug and use their plug. They also list a minium order of $20, so it probably cheaper to buy a shorter mug instead or find that plug elsewhere if that plug meet your criteria

BillK

Thanks colleen! The right-angle unit should meet my minds nicely. As you point out, though, I'll likely have to find it elsewhere if I can.

no motor?

Powerlet should be able to help if you need something custom. They make some excellent products.

BillK

Thanks no motor.

Actually, I don't think I'd have to go custom. Powerlet sells a cigarette-insert-to-powerlet-socket-metal-adapter (looks like the entire unit fits inside a standard cigarette lighter socket) for $18 and a right angle plug for $12. That's a little more than I'd like to pay, but it's a good option.

BillK

Thanks colleen....I found a source at Cables & Connectors without a minimum order.

BillK

Just wanted to report that coleen c's recommended Philmore Right Angle plug was exactly what I needed. Once the plug arrived, I purchased a small "Motor Trend" 3-in-1 cigarette outlet unit at my local auto store, cut the cord down to ~6" and fed it into the plug (requires some simple soldering). My biggest problem was the size of the wires running from the outlet, just at the upper limit for the angle plug, but I got them to fit.

Now my chargers are out of sight and I have both cup holders back again! Thanks to everyone for their ideas.

colleen c

Glad it worked out fine for you