Charging a cell phone in the truck, how?

T

ToolmanJohn

New member
I recently purchased my first cell phone, and and I will only be using it for ordering out from work, and during XC biking in the woods (emergencies only, knock on wood). I bought a package with a 12V charger for the vehicle, but the 12V outlet is OFF when the key is not turned to the accessory position.

Has anyone done a fused/breaker bypass to have 12V available without the key in the ignition?

Please don't say it will kill the truck battery, it will not. I drive at least twice a day, and a cell phone will NOT kill a truck battery in a day. Just wondering if anyone has modded the 12V outlet and was it difficult.
 
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Sorry, we get more importance thing to worry about instead of wondering how to charge a cell phone. If you talk on it so much and worry about it not getting charge when the 4R is not on why don't just get a spear batter??? instead of rewired the dammm thing. its a lot cheaper and safer then have the 12v on constantly when no one is on the car..:rolleye2:
 
I haven't done it to my 4Runner, but it is as simple as finding a 12v source that is hot at all times and splicing into it and running an extension wire to the power point.

Probably the easiest way would be to buy a fuse tap (about $5 from Radio Shack) and choose the constantly hot circuit of your choice as your source.
 
You could put a 6 gang aux bus fuse box and have plenty of access for additional accessories as you add to your truck.
 
You misunderstand totally

TRD04RUNNER said:
Sorry, we get more importance thing to worry about instead of wondering how to charge a cell phone. If you talk on it so much and worry about it not getting charge when the 4R is not on why don't just get a spear batter??? instead of rewired the dammm thing. its a lot cheaper and safer then have the 12v on constantly when no one is on the car..:rolleye2:
Click to expand...


A) It's more important than MANY of the frivolous posts that come and go here, but I don't bash . If people want a lift they won't use, 20 inch wheels, different floor mats, whatever, they can post here and I won't criticize.

B) It's important to me, or I would not have asked this technical question.

C) I might use it 4 times a month. Is that a lot??

D) I don't need it anywhere except in the truck, at work, it only makes sense to leave it there, so getting the phone charged there is important.

E) Safer than having 12V on all the time??? That makes no sense. The radio always has a 12V supply, as does the remote receiver in the truck so you can drop the rear window and unlock the doors, why would a 12V accessory port be different in any way? Every vehicle on the road used to have a cigarette lighter, if you are old enough to remember, and cars didn't spontaneously combust back then. Those lighters worked wether the key was in the ignition or not.

Everyone has an opinion, but if there's nothing constructive to be said , it shouldn't be said. I have read so many bashing comments on the forums over the past couple years, it's sad. This is the first time I have ever responded directly to someones unhelpful comments.

Please keep it out of my original posts. I am looking for helpful advice/tips.
 
A year or two ago, I bought one of those portable power supplies from Home Depot for about $40. It provides 12v DC, 120V AC, and has a built in air compressor. It's about 1' long, 4" wide and 8" tall. It would easily charge your cell phone or laptop while you're not in the vehicle. I apologize as the brand name of it escapes me.
 
djlandkpl said:
You could use the 120 volt A/C plug that's inside the center console and charge your phone while you are driving.
Click to expand...

I don't think that stays on either when the truck is off. I never checked, but when the engine is turned off, that orange light on the dash goes off.

I am not sure about this, but does Lexus have 12 volt outlets that stay on when the vehicle is off? If they do, then it could be as easy as going to the Lexus dealer and getting what you need.
 
Hitman has the right idea; you will need to check what the amp rating is on the switched power source for the existing 12v cigarette lighter type outlet, and make sure the auxiliary fuse you tap off (in the fuse box) has that amp size fuse. Also make sure you tap off the fussed end of the fuse, not the source end. Make sure you use insulated wire connections where you tap off the fuse so you don't have any shorts. Also disconnect the battery when installing.

Koz
 
Re: You misunderstand totally

ToolmanJohn said:
C) I might use it 4 times a month. Is that a lot??
Click to expand...

If thats all your going to use it - dont worry about charging the thing while your not in the truck. a cell phone holds a charge for several days(if not used)

If you use the phone then next time you drive the truck it will charge. Only take about 10-30mins to charged the phone completely (esp. if you never use it)

Personally I wouldnt worry about this problem and everything will be ok...
 
Some good tips

I didn't realize a cell phone charges fast. The first charge took a couple hours when it was new. But it only stayed charged for 4 days before I had to recharge it, and I used it twice for a total of 6 minutes of air time. So instead of taking it into the house and possibly forgetting it, I would prefer it stays in the truck.

I also thought about the 120VAC outlet, but it only turns on with the ignition also. I don't even take it into work, it stays in the truck. The only time I will carry it is in the woods biking.

I have those PDF files of the electrical system somewhere on my computer. I will pull them and take a look at what I'm up against. I was hoping someone may have already addressed this. My main beef would be if I had to run new wires. I hate taking any interior console pieces apart, sometime stuff breaks too easy.
 
I have a motorola phone and i talk about 100-150 mins a day and i only charged it every other day.. when the battery gets about 1/2 way i charge it...
 
Hey ToolmanJohn, here is a link to another topic somewhat similar. I had searched through it before because I too wanted to do the same mod, but I still have not gotten around to it.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=4093

There are other links within that link. I think if you search a little you will find enough info to do the mod yourself.

I remember finding enough info where I felt comfortable enough to do it.

Good luck and let us know how it turns out.

BTW, don't listen to people like TRD04RUNNER. I believe he represents the minority on this board. Most of the people here would be more than happy to help out. All you have to do is ask.
 
Thanks!!

HardCharger said:
Hey ToolmanJohn, here is a link to another topic somewhat similar. I had searched through it before because I too wanted to do the same mod, but I still have not gotten around to it.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=4093

Click to expand...

I don't know why I could not get search to find those threads before, but thank you for the link. I am going to do something similar, but I will retain the stock 110VAC outlet, and add a 12VDC accessory jack either on the dash passenger side near the the bottom of the dash, or make a small profile quick connect that will be almost invisible when not used. I'll just chop off the 12V plug on the phone car charger and install my own connector.

I want it to be as clean an install as possible.
 
ToolmanJohn said:
I recently purchased my first cell phone, and and I will only be using it for ordering out from work, and during XC biking in the woods (emergencies only, knock on wood). I bought a package with a 12V charger for the vehicle, but the 12V outlet is OFF when the key is not turned to the accessory position.

Has anyone done a fused/breaker bypass to have 12V available without the key in the ignition?

Please don't say it will kill the truck battery, it will not. I drive at least twice a day, and a cell phone will NOT kill a truck battery in a day. Just wondering if anyone has modded the 12V outlet and was it difficult.
Click to expand...

Please find this thread posted by one of the forums member:Kmvreter

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?threadid=11038&highlight=relays
It took only 10 minutes. He has explained step by step including pictures. I wish more members here at this forum would be more constructive in their answers instead of critisizing your thoughts.
 
As a note : Car cell phone charges are generally not recommended to be used and the primary charging source for your cell phone. Most car chargers don't automatically stop charging your phone once it has reached its peak charge --- this allowing for overcharging and damage to the battery. (This is what the sales people at PrimeCo told me back in the day ... and again when I was with US Cellular ... and again when I bought a car charger for my new Cingular Sony phone ....).
 
UoD said:
As a note : Car cell phone charges are generally not recommended to be used and the primary charging source for your cell phone. Most car chargers don't automatically stop charging your phone once it has reached its peak charge --- this allowing for overcharging and damage to the battery. (This is what the sales people at PrimeCo told me back in the day ... and again when I was with US Cellular ... and again when I bought a car charger for my new Cingular Sony phone ....).
Click to expand...

it depends on the phone and manufacturer. I have a motorola v3 and the charger automatically stops charging once its done... thus preventing the above problems.
 
My cell phone will hold a charge for about a week even with moderate use. If you're just going two days between charging, I don't see why you would need to recharge it while you're not moving. I think you're overthinking this one. Just plug it in to charger it while you're driving, and it'll hold you over several days even if you use it a lot.
 
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