adding USB power port
05-02-16, 05:02 PM
#1
Lexus Champion
Thread Starter
adding USB power port
If your vehicle does not have USB ports and you would like to easily add them without a lot of work, here's an easy way to do it. I searched and didn't find much info so I'll post what I could pull together (sorry for the huge pics).
These ports will provide some amount of power for your USB charged devices and depending on how you wire them, they will add to your flexibility so you don't have to use car chargers (CLA) or your cigarette lighter sockets with an adapter.
I just thought it would be neat to use the blank spots found on many of our vehicles so I'll post what I've done with my particular model. Not exactly sure what other car models require and what electronic devices will or will not charge. If you have some spare time and few dollars to spend on a small project.
These are the car power chargers:
Dual USB 2.1A Car Power Charger for Toyota Vigo - Black
12V~24V to 5V / 2.1A 2-Port USB 2.0 Vehicle Car Power Inverter Converter for Toyota Hilux VIGO
Not only do they fit perfectly but they have that OEM look also. Not sure of all the differences between these two products but one appears to be glossy and the other is more of a matte black. I have both and they work exactly the same. The nice feature is the quick disconnect cabling that allow you to easily switch the hookup if you need to. Buy if from DXSOUL with a wait about a month for delivery from China. Sign up for their newsletter and you get a $5 coupon and/or for a limited time use coupon code PAYPAL5 to get a $5 credit when you use paypal.
So here's what they look like in use.
1) I popped out the blanks on the driver's side dash. The blanks come out easily; here's what one looks like.
2) Switch has two pieces making installation easy and you can switch them out later if you wish. I use a micro fuse tap to get power (instructions); you can get a bunch of them on ebay here for cheap (check the size to ensure they will fit):
3) For most of our car models, the switch will fit without any modification. Just push it in firmly and it stays. The USB slots are opposite each other so you get a top (up) and a bottom (down). One wire for both plugs so they are either on or off at the same time. Note the proper orientation of the USB symbol from l- to r-.
4) Switch will light up blue when it has power.
5) Since I installed two switches, I decided to make one "hot" and one "switched." The hot switch will be on at all times (even when the car is switched off). Hook it up to the right fuse, in my case fuse #6: TV NO.2 7.5A (for the fuse tap I inserted 3A fuse). The other will be "switched" on and off when the car is turned on and off. Use fuse #19: 30A FR WIP (for the fuse tap I inserted 3A fuse). See your car's manual for fuse ratings and fuse locations. For show, I painted a red stripe on the hot switch.
6) Took it one step further. For the hot switch, I installed a toggle switch replacing the blank spot on the lower row. The switch is always hot whether the car is on or off BUT I can use the toggle switch to turn the power off manually. The toggle switch has a faint LED (different colors available) and I got it from here. It likely needs to be resized and shaved down in order to fit our cars. I used a dremel and a knife to cut it up and a heat gun with shrink tubes for the wires.
10) Completed. USB switch powers my dedicated Android phone running YaV1 and I can also plug in my GoPro camera for recharging, etc.
These ports will provide some amount of power for your USB charged devices and depending on how you wire them, they will add to your flexibility so you don't have to use car chargers (CLA) or your cigarette lighter sockets with an adapter.
I just thought it would be neat to use the blank spots found on many of our vehicles so I'll post what I've done with my particular model. Not exactly sure what other car models require and what electronic devices will or will not charge. If you have some spare time and few dollars to spend on a small project.
These are the car power chargers:
Dual USB 2.1A Car Power Charger for Toyota Vigo - Black12V~24V to 5V / 2.1A 2-Port USB 2.0 Vehicle Car Power Inverter Converter for Toyota Hilux VIGONot only do they fit perfectly but they have that OEM look also. Not sure of all the differences between these two products but one appears to be glossy and the other is more of a matte black. I have both and they work exactly the same. The nice feature is the quick disconnect cabling that allow you to easily switch the hookup if you need to. Buy if from DXSOUL with a wait about a month for delivery from China. Sign up for their newsletter and you get a $5 coupon and/or for a limited time use coupon code PAYPAL5 to get a $5 credit when you use paypal.
So here's what they look like in use.
1) I popped out the blanks on the driver's side dash. The blanks come out easily; here's what one looks like.
2) Switch has two pieces making installation easy and you can switch them out later if you wish. I use a micro fuse tap to get power (instructions); you can get a bunch of them on ebay here for cheap (check the size to ensure they will fit):
3) For most of our car models, the switch will fit without any modification. Just push it in firmly and it stays. The USB slots are opposite each other so you get a top (up) and a bottom (down). One wire for both plugs so they are either on or off at the same time. Note the proper orientation of the USB symbol from l- to r-.
4) Switch will light up blue when it has power.
5) Since I installed two switches, I decided to make one "hot" and one "switched." The hot switch will be on at all times (even when the car is switched off). Hook it up to the right fuse, in my case fuse #6: TV NO.2 7.5A (for the fuse tap I inserted 3A fuse). The other will be "switched" on and off when the car is turned on and off. Use fuse #19: 30A FR WIP (for the fuse tap I inserted 3A fuse). See your car's manual for fuse ratings and fuse locations. For show, I painted a red stripe on the hot switch.
6) Took it one step further. For the hot switch, I installed a toggle switch replacing the blank spot on the lower row. The switch is always hot whether the car is on or off BUT I can use the toggle switch to turn the power off manually. The toggle switch has a faint LED (different colors available) and I got it from here. It likely needs to be resized and shaved down in order to fit our cars. I used a dremel and a knife to cut it up and a heat gun with shrink tubes for the wires.
10) Completed. USB switch powers my dedicated Android phone running YaV1 and I can also plug in my GoPro camera for recharging, etc.
05-02-16, 06:17 PM
#2
Wow, nicely done and documented
05-04-16, 07:02 AM
#6
Originally Posted by Bichon
Nice job, very clean. What's the switch to the right of your gas cap release? That must be an add-on too.
6) Took it one step further. For the hot switch, I installed a toggle switch replacing the blank spot on the lower row. The switch is always hot whether the car is on or off BUT I can use the toggle switch to turn the power off manually.
05-04-16, 07:31 AM
#7
I think the location is awkward.. but I dont have a phone mounted there so it makes sense for your application.
I think this DIY would be awesome with replacing the ac outlet in the center console. Might order some parts now and possibly try it
I think this DIY would be awesome with replacing the ac outlet in the center console. Might order some parts now and possibly try it
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05-04-16, 11:25 AM
#8
Dude - really good write up with awesome photos and documentation. I love stuff like this. I for now am just using the port inside of the center console with a mega LOW PROFILE 2.1A dual USB rig but I really like what you did here!
05-18-16, 12:14 PM
#10
Lexus Champion
Thread Starter
thanks everyone. (for some reason i haven't been able to logon for 2 weeks).
anyway, the location is a bit different but i wanted to replace the blanks with something useful. since i have a dedicated android phone for my v1 radar detector, the vent clip mounts the phone and right angled cables keep the clutter to a minimum.
also pretty convenient for long drives for those who use waze or want to charge a device that you can store in the door pocket.
anyway, the location is a bit different but i wanted to replace the blanks with something useful. since i have a dedicated android phone for my v1 radar detector, the vent clip mounts the phone and right angled cables keep the clutter to a minimum.
also pretty convenient for long drives for those who use waze or want to charge a device that you can store in the door pocket.
02-21-18, 06:52 PM
#12
Driver School Candidate
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: CA
Posts: 2
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install USB for both music and power
Hi,
I'm trying to buy a pre-owned IS250, however, it seems that the USB's came with the car only for 2010-current -- is that correct? I've been looking around for an IS with low-ish mileage, but the process is tedious. Do you think it is worth buying a 2006-2009 IS and installing a USB port -- or is it better to keep looking to find a 2010+ model? What level is the sound and power quality for both power and music? (I previously leased a 2015 CT that came with a USB and the sound and power charging quality is great.)
I'm trying to buy a pre-owned IS250, however, it seems that the USB's came with the car only for 2010-current -- is that correct? I've been looking around for an IS with low-ish mileage, but the process is tedious. Do you think it is worth buying a 2006-2009 IS and installing a USB port -- or is it better to keep looking to find a 2010+ model? What level is the sound and power quality for both power and music? (I previously leased a 2015 CT that came with a USB and the sound and power charging quality is great.)
02-21-18, 09:14 PM
#13
Instructor
i would keep looking for 2010+ model cuz they also have bluetooth audio and have HDD Nav not DVD Nav which sucks...
02-23-18, 12:13 PM
#14
2010 was a year with many additions and improvement, the USB port was about the least important.
The HDD Nav over the former DVD data storage is a mixed benefit, faster acting system with improved
resolution but the updates are now Dealer only rather than slip in the new disc yourself.
Safety Connect (now only $80/year, was $149/year) has the 3/4 watt phone vs. the 1/3 watt phone we
all carry, finds your car if stolen, finds you if wrecked...
Consider finding one with Memory Driver's seat. This will be the new for 2010 Luxury Plus Value Edition
which included: Power Tilt/Tele wheel (upgrade from manual), ElectroChromatic auto dimming outside
mirror with tilt in reverse (upgrade from inside only), Perforated semi-aniline seating, heated/cooled front
seats, rear sunshade, HID headlights with Adaptive Front System "AFS" and the rain sense wipers.
The HDD Nav over the former DVD data storage is a mixed benefit, faster acting system with improved
resolution but the updates are now Dealer only rather than slip in the new disc yourself.
Safety Connect (now only $80/year, was $149/year) has the 3/4 watt phone vs. the 1/3 watt phone we
all carry, finds your car if stolen, finds you if wrecked...
Consider finding one with Memory Driver's seat. This will be the new for 2010 Luxury Plus Value Edition
which included: Power Tilt/Tele wheel (upgrade from manual), ElectroChromatic auto dimming outside
mirror with tilt in reverse (upgrade from inside only), Perforated semi-aniline seating, heated/cooled front
seats, rear sunshade, HID headlights with Adaptive Front System "AFS" and the rain sense wipers.
