Anyone ever hard wired USB power for their cellphone?

[CZ Eddie]

I need to figure out how to hard wire a power connection to charge my Android phone (galaxy s3) which uses USB for power connection.

Any ideas?

I've got some spare USB cables that I can hack up. But not quite sure how to do the hard wire so they always have power. I want the connection made behind the dash because the USB cable will come up behind the dash and to the back of my phone's dock on top of the dash.

So I can't use the dual outlets under my ashtray.

But, I don't mind using a cigarette lighter adapter if it can be tucked away behind the dash somewhere (safely).

 

[Doc2012]

Probably going to be your best bet.

The voltage to charge them goes through those cig lighter adapters, and changes the 12V to the appropriate voltage and amperage needed to charge the phone, which, IIRC, is no more than 5.25V, but an average of 3.6V.

You could do the "Full Time Power Outlet Mod" (http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/127367-docs-mod-thread.html) and add an outlet behind the dash, where you can insert a USB adapter, then run the cord through where ever you want it ran.

Since you're only looking to plug in your phone, you shouldn't drain your battery, unless you leave your phone in the car all night.

You could always take apart the USB adapter, and try to straight wire it to the trucks battery using a switch, relay, and fuse, if you feel confident with your electrical skills.

Either way, straight wiring a USB cable directly to your battery is a BAD, BAD idea. You can very easily fry the phone or the cable.

 

[CZ Eddie]

You could do the "Full Time Power Outlet Mod" (http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/127367-docs-mod-thread.html) and add an outlet behind the dash, where you can insert a USB adapter, then run the cord through where ever you want it ran.

I really like this idea. Thanks!

 

[jmildoc]

I just have this thing.

 

[shadow247]

Mini USB Direct to Battery Harness - Powerlet Products

I found this, it's 59 bucks. This on is MINI-USB

Here's another one for 18. - This one is MICRO-USB

Hardwire Barewire Power Micro USB Cable for All Cell Phones and SmartPhones including Droid

I couldn't find anything yet that would give you an actual USB plug like what you find in a lot of newer cars though.

I found this thread on another forum where a guy made his own from a cigarrette lighter plug in type.

http://forums.nicoclub.com/12v-usb-charger-that-s-not-a-cigarette-lighter-plug-t467609.html

 

[zgensler31]

Ice done this. And for the same reason.

Started with this....

Was like 5 bucks at Wally world. A quick Google gave me which wire was hot and which was ground.

Cut a hole in the center console and glued it down. Here it is finished....

Well actually I don't have a finished photo. I'll go snap one for you.

 

[theizzardking]

man that's alot of work and money for something that you can pick up at any wall mart or target for like $15~20

sits in there flush, takes no room and the installation took 10 seconds , plus it comes right out in seconds if you want to use the port for an inverter or something else, lol, i suppose you could power that cig lighter to always on and just leave that plugged in there, seems way simpler and cleaner.

 

[Rock Slide]

I hard wired my garmin nuvi such that it's only ON when the key is turned to ACC. Take a look at my write up below, it may be of some help (wiring diagram is posted there too):

Hard Wired my Garmin Nuvi 500 GPS - YotaTech Forums

 

[zgensler31]

Yeah I understand about the cigarratte adapter thing. But it took out three birds with one mod on mine. Generally take a lot of weekend trips with my brother and one plug(I have a 96) wasn't cutting it, so it gave me three. Two it gave me constant power, even when the truck is off. Ad three it gave me a direct USB plug.

And sorry I haven't been able to get that pic up. I'll grab it in the morning,

 

[theizzardking]

Yeah I understand about the cigarratte adapter thing. But it took out three birds with one mod on mine. Generally take a lot of weekend trips with my brother and one plug(I have a 96) wasn't cutting it, so it gave me three. Two it gave me constant power, even when the truck is off. Ad three it gave me a direct USB plug.

And sorry I haven't been able to get that pic up. I'll grab it in the morning,

aaahhhhh.....sorry the luxuries of the 99 make me stupid sometimes, haha, i have two of those things in full time basically, i can completely understand now, for some reason i pictured someone needing 6 of them....

 

[Thurlo76]

Amazon.com: Multi-Use Vehicle Charger with Dual USB Ports and Dual 12 Volt Sockets - Magnadyne: Cell Phones & Accessories

i ordered this, my original plans were to get a panel out of a new 4runner so i would have 2 more outlets but i saw this and decided to hard wire it in. it actually looks pretty stock and it works great!!!

 

[rm2fast]

you could buy one of those things posted above that plug into cig lighter, or buy a aftermarket cd player that has one in the front that's what i did and works great for charging/playing music. My Buddie does the same keeps his ipod in glove box and it comes on and starts playing when he starts the truck

 

[Bigbugberg]

I use the waterproof usb port from BurnsMoto on my dirt bikes to power my gps. A full 1A, waterproof, built in over voltage reset.

But you should run this through a fuse, switch, and relay. The unit draws 3mA with nothing plugged in.

 

[rideexileex]

wow... seems like all of the above posts are really expensive... just take whatever car charger you want to use, and then:

easy) buy a cigarette lighter socket and just tap those wires into the existing cigarette lighter leads. Then plug your charger into that.

more involved, but cheap) Take your phone charger, open it up, and then extend the power leads (make sure to keep the fuse!) to the existing cigarette lighter leads.