Increasing current from head unit USB port

[oilslick]

The current on the USB port in my cheap Chinese Android head unit seems to be 500ma, which doesn't even keep up with the drain on my phone when it's plugged in.

Is there any way I can somehow increase this current while keeping the data connection?

What I'm thinking of is some way to combine the data feed from the head unit with the 2A current I could get from a cigarette lighter USB adapter, preferably without setting anything on fire.

Does something like this exist? My Google-fu has totally failed me with this one!

[Dave.]

Powered USB hub?

[oilslick]

Dave. said:

Powered USB hub?

Hadn't thought of that, then I'd just need to figure out a way to power it. Thanks for the suggestion, I'll go Google some more

[markyb_lcy]

oilslick said:

Dave. said:

Powered USB hub?

Hadn't thought of that, then I'd just need to figure out a way to power it. Thanks for the suggestion, I'll go Google some more

Assuming it’s a 12v power input you just need the right sized 12v cable/plug and an add-a-fuse kit. Solder or crimp them together and then find a relevant fuse to piggy-back. You probably want something that’s on only with ignition so you avoid draining your battery if you leave it plugged in while not using the car.

[untakenname]

I have a Y-splitter cable which adds the power from a cigarette lighter to supplement the power from the headunit, phone was getting 0.45 amps before from just the headunit and now gets 2.8 and the quickcharge mode activates.

Picture of my setup here:



Posted a video in the other android headunit thread which has a video of it in use near the end and also the link to the cable, cost £5 from Amazon prime though there's alternatives on ebay for cheaper

Edit:
https://youtu.be/jZcoM4PtaF4

[oilslick]

untakenname said:

I have a Y-splitter cable which adds the power from a cigarette lighter to supplement the power from the headunit, phone was getting 0.45 amps before from just the headunit and now gets 2.8 and the quickcharge mode activates.

Picture of my setup here:



Posted a video in the other android headunit thread which has a video of it in use near the end and also the link to the cable, cost £5 from Amazon prime though there's alternatives on ebay for cheaper

Edit:
https://youtu.be/jZcoM4PtaF4

Thanks for the suggestion. My concern about using a setup like this is that Quick Charge can deliver more than 5 volts, which could feed back into the stereo and damage things.

[untakenname]

It should only output more than 5v if the phone is the only device on the circuit, with anything else it should be 5v.



I use this 36w device from Anker (on the left) and it's been fine but for piece of mind you could use an adaptor that only has 5v output.