Hard-wired USB ports for charging

[clubagreenie]

All,

Am thinking of ditching the original cig lighter abomination of cables and adaptors for a multi (2 min (or more if available)) USB ports as below.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/08/1398.jpg

This would enable direct connection of chargers via USB cables and powering of the tablet/GPS and Nanocom.

There's no wiring details on the ebay page and messaging them they say instructions are included, but won't detail them. Don't want to get stuck with an issue and also there may be other cheaper options to achieve the same end result without the big plate.

Has anyone done this before or have extra details for the wiring into the ports of which connection is which. From what I've read there's a 12 & 5v and gnd thats all thats necessary for power.

[Utemad]

Have you got a link for that part?

I am surprised there aren't more USB panels around as surely the no. 1 thing to plug into a cigarette socket these days is a USB converter.

I've been looking for something like this for a while but never found one. Closest things are the near flush USB inserts for ciggy sockets.

[Utemad]

From what I've read there's a 12 & 5v and gnd thats all thats necessary for power.

It should be just 12v positive and negative.
It would reduce the output to 5v internally.

[clubagreenie]

Listing ended but it's a store item

4x4 Boat Camper Trailer Caravan Dual USB Socket Flush Mount - BTUSB-001 | eBay (http://www.ebay.com/itm/360463682139'ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649)

[Fluids]

I looked at these recently to setup power for my new iPad ... but max' output is 1A and the iPad needs 2.1A

Would be OK for all the other USB powered stuf, and a great idea for reducing dashboard clutter.

[clubagreenie]

The ratings the reason for looking at doing it differently, from what I can find on other places the ports PCB contains a reverse polarity/current liniting/self restting fuse type circuit. A few people seem to refute the usefulness of this and cut it out and put a 2A fuse in line, after tapping off say the lighter circuit.

There's a couple of examples on indestructables but their finishing leaves a lot to be desired.

[Lotz-A-Landies]

Was sure that I recently saw an accessory panel for the SIIa Land Rover which had 2 USB sockets, but can not find the link at present (sitting behind a shopping restricted firewall).

What I do know is that the USB ports in my D4 don't provide power to re-charge a phone or GPS (or at least they don't with the cables that I have). :(

Addit: This is the item I saw previously: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Land-Rover-Series-2-2a-88-109-Aux-Auxiliary-Panel-USB-charger-power-socket-BLACK-/320865967781?pt=UK_Car_Interior_Accessories&hash=item4ab51a1ea5

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/08/1395.jpg

They also have a panel for the SIII.

[austastar]

Hi,
Would some thing like this suit you?

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/08/1393.jpg

Details here (http://www.westmountainradio.com/product_info.php?products_id=rr_4004_c)

cheers

[loanrangie]

I'm sure you could get the components from jaycar cheap enough and then make the output suit your equipment.

[Wallyb]

I have one of these from Jaycar. It does a 1A and 2.1A outlets

3.1A Dual USB Car Adaptor - Jaycar Electronics (http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=MP3664)

At this stage it is just sitting in the cig lighter socket. The longer term plan was to pull it apart and permanently mount it in the dash.

Given the interest I will do that tonight and post pics.

[Wallyb]

Here it is .. I had a long lunch :)

USB Charger intallation Guide

[Dougal]

I have one of these from Jaycar. It does a 1A and 2.1A outlets

3.1A Dual USB Car Adaptor - Jaycar Electronics (http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=MP3664)

At this stage it is just sitting in the cig lighter socket. The longer term plan was to pull it apart and permanently mount it in the dash.

Given the interest I will do that tonight and post pics.

I did that about 6 months ago in the work car. Best mod ever.
But first, prise the cap off and put a blob of black silicone over the blue led inside. I wired mine for always on (head-unit fused supply) to keep power to the things I like to charge when the key is out.

[loanrangie]

I have one of these from Jaycar. It does a 1A and 2.1A outlets

3.1A Dual USB Car Adaptor - Jaycar Electronics (http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=MP3664)

At this stage it is just sitting in the cig lighter socket. The longer term plan was to pull it apart and permanently mount it in the dash.

Given the interest I will do that tonight and post pics.

I have one that i opened up and soldered leads to that run direct to my battery and is hidden behind the fuse box cover below the steering wheel.
Been meaning to mount it in the dash but its been working fine for 5 years as is.

[Tombie]

I looked at these recently to setup power for my new iPad ... but max' output is 1A and the iPad needs 2.1A

Would be OK for all the other USB powered stuf, and a great idea for reducing dashboard clutter.

Well arent you lucky :cool: They do an iPad version :)

BAINTECH Single USB Socket Surface Mount (http://www.baintech.com.au/baintech/baintech-single-usb-socket-surface-mount)

http://www.baintech.com.au/components/com_virtuemart/shop_image/product/USB__iPad_Charge_4e8d3626ebb98.jpg

[Fluids]

Why, thank you sir! :)

... but it's ...

Max output power: 1Amp

:(

[Wallyb]

The one I listed specifically does 2.1A - I suspect aimed at the Apple market

[clubagreenie]

I just want a single (or bank) of the rectangular female outlets with a tab each side for a screw mount or glue on.

Maybe mod this, XC4946. 10 ports, switchable, so 1-6 can be turned off (power saver for home use). May be able to split up to share between a couple of people or run some in front & rear.

http://www.jaycar.com.au/products_uploaded/productLarge_13734.jpg

What's the limiting factor in the ratings? The supply fuse (just run a fresh supply from battery with dedicated fuse, or fuse each port). Or is there internal components to the port that don't cope?

[Wallyb]

I just want a single (or bank) of the rectangular female outlets with a tab each side for a screw mount or glue on.

Maybe mod this, XC4946. 10 ports, switchable, so 1-6 can be turned off (power saver for home use). May be able to split up to share between a couple of people or run some in front & rear.


What's the limiting factor in the ratings? The supply fuse (just run a fresh supply from battery with dedicated fuse, or fuse each port). Or is there internal components to the port that don't cope?


USB power is 5 Volts not like the 12V from a car - so we need to convert it down. It is that converter that limits what is usually available.

The example you linked is a Jaycar unit comes with a 5V 2A power supply .. so the most it can supply is 2A in total.

We could build a 12V to 5V adaptor that will supply 10A so the above unit could supply up to 10A

Then we have physical limits. A USB connector is probably only good for up to 5 Amps of current "though" it.

Hope that helps

[clubagreenie]

Could you do a diagram for the 12 x 5v unit?

Is that 5A to a port/connector and so can only run 2 ports per power supply unit?

[Utemad]

I just bought this
http://item.mobileweb.ebay.com.au/viewitem?itemId=300718484457
I just plan on drilling a hole in the soft dash and pushing it in and soldering wires in place. The dash is all curled and dodgy looking anyway.
I've got other ones like this but only single port and they seem pretty good.

[Wallyb]

Could you do a diagram for the 12 x 5v unit?

Is that 5A to a port/connector and so can only run 2 ports per power supply unit?

All things are posible - the question is why?

I could build something that would allow you to change 5 iPads at once ... but do you have 5 iPads?

-----

The 5A per port is simply a physical restriction of the design of the USB connector. The connectors were simply not designed to carry power but rather computer signals.

[clubagreenie]

Just thinking, I have 2 phones, tablet, GPS, plus kids stuff. Could use 5 in front and probably fit 2 per back seat.

The 12 x 5v referred to 12v to 5v converter not 12 x 5v outlets.

[Learner]

Why didn't you say so?

[joe.woods]

Do you mean something like this. I got them on eBay; will charge ipad's, I burred out the switch housing superglued them in, I soldered them together (electrics) then bulked them up with 5min epoxy to give them body and strenth, also forced the +ve pins down the epoxied them in position. ebay link is eBay Australia: Buy new & used fashion, electronics & home d (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/200747155627'ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649#ht_2770wt_1139) Hope this helps.

49882

[Tombie]

Why, thank you sir! :)

... but it's ...

Max output power: 1Amp

:(

Damn.... Wrong link...

They do an iPad (2.1amp) specific version...