usb connection
Discussion
Hi all,
I would like to add a usb connection so to be able run the maps and GPS application without fear of draining the phone's battery while out on a drive.
I was thinking of getting something like this : https://www.amazon.fr/TAIFU-Connecteur-Convertisse...
and wire it directly it to a power supply.
1. The car has a master switch so i guess this might be a good power source to use no?
2. Is this so? (i do not want to penetrate the engine bay bulkhead to get power)
3. Will the above work or is the pictured USD cable not suited for this ?
Thank you
I would like to add a usb connection so to be able run the maps and GPS application without fear of draining the phone's battery while out on a drive.
I was thinking of getting something like this : https://www.amazon.fr/TAIFU-Connecteur-Convertisse...
and wire it directly it to a power supply.
1. The car has a master switch so i guess this might be a good power source to use no?
2. Is this so? (i do not want to penetrate the engine bay bulkhead to get power)
3. Will the above work or is the pictured USD cable not suited for this ?
Thank you
Edited by analog_me on Saturday 25th November 22:55
I would always go for something like this:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/12-24V-Car-Cigarette-Li...
You can get all kinds of variations but this one is actually a cigarette lighter type fitting with an insert for USB so can serve both.
Again, personally I would earth one connection to a convenient place on the body and run the other ( power) connection to perhaps the ignition barrel
or try and find an ignition controlled power wire.
That would ensure it won't draw power when the key is out.
You can then use that cable you posted to connect it to your phone.
If I was you I would get some help from someone with the correct tools and a bit of knowhow.
Make sure you disconnect the battery before doing the work.
Good luck.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/12-24V-Car-Cigarette-Li...
You can get all kinds of variations but this one is actually a cigarette lighter type fitting with an insert for USB so can serve both.
Again, personally I would earth one connection to a convenient place on the body and run the other ( power) connection to perhaps the ignition barrel
or try and find an ignition controlled power wire.
That would ensure it won't draw power when the key is out.
You can then use that cable you posted to connect it to your phone.
If I was you I would get some help from someone with the correct tools and a bit of knowhow.
Make sure you disconnect the battery before doing the work.
Good luck.
As far as I can tell, the wire you linked to does not step down from the 12v, to the 5v (or so) your gps will be running on the USB. So don't fit it directly!
As mentioned, fitting a lighter socket to the bulkhead (mines in the passenger footwell above knees) will allow for a lot of flexibility. If the have a cigarette plug fitting for your satnav, use that, if not they are readily available.
If your fitting is wired directly to the battery (add a fuse), you must remember that if you leave sat nav on without car running it willl slowly drain the battery.
But, you can use that plug for charging a mobile on the run, or trickle charging the car if your charger has a cigarette plug.
You could, of course wire a cigarette lighter under the dash, tucked away, (behind a knee panel is an idea...) then permanently plug your sat nav in to that.
I mount my sat nav on the tunnel under the dash. Keeps the screen free.
As mentioned, fitting a lighter socket to the bulkhead (mines in the passenger footwell above knees) will allow for a lot of flexibility. If the have a cigarette plug fitting for your satnav, use that, if not they are readily available.
If your fitting is wired directly to the battery (add a fuse), you must remember that if you leave sat nav on without car running it willl slowly drain the battery.
But, you can use that plug for charging a mobile on the run, or trickle charging the car if your charger has a cigarette plug.
You could, of course wire a cigarette lighter under the dash, tucked away, (behind a knee panel is an idea...) then permanently plug your sat nav in to that.
I mount my sat nav on the tunnel under the dash. Keeps the screen free.
As far as I can tell, the wire you linked to does not step down from the 12v, to the 5v (or so) your gps will be running on the USB. So don't fit it directly!
As mentioned, fitting a lighter socket to the bulkhead (mines in the passenger footwell above knees) will allow for a lot of flexibility. If the have a cigarette plug fitting for your satnav, use that, if not they are readily available.
If your fitting is wired directly to the battery (add a fuse), you must remember that if you leave sat nav on without car running it willl slowly drain the battery.
But, you can use that plug for charging a mobile on the run, or trickle charging the car if your charger has a cigarette plug.
You could, of coursewire a cigarette lighter under the dash, caked away, (behind a knee panel is an idea...) then permanently plug your sat nav in to that.
I mount my sat nav on the tunnel under the dash. Keeps the screen free.
As mentioned, fitting a lighter socket to the bulkhead (mines in the passenger footwell above knees) will allow for a lot of flexibility. If the have a cigarette plug fitting for your satnav, use that, if not they are readily available.
If your fitting is wired directly to the battery (add a fuse), you must remember that if you leave sat nav on without car running it willl slowly drain the battery.
But, you can use that plug for charging a mobile on the run, or trickle charging the car if your charger has a cigarette plug.
You could, of coursewire a cigarette lighter under the dash, caked away, (behind a knee panel is an idea...) then permanently plug your sat nav in to that.
I mount my sat nav on the tunnel under the dash. Keeps the screen free.
Thank you for your replies,
You are correct i also realised that last night and found this one instead:
https://www.amazon.fr/gp/product/B06XSCCLCD/ref=ox...
Which i believe will do the job fine.
I do not want to fit a cigarette plug because it looks bulky, i also do not want to put a hole on the Engine bay to cockpit bulkhead because my engine bay is well sorted and do not want to ruin it with back side of the cigarette lighter.
thus i thought of using a usb plug like the one shown above.
With two exits I can plug my ipod and phone(gps).
I am afraid I lack the knowledge and do not understand your point about the master switch...
Since the entire car has no power until i switch on the master switch how will the usb drain the battery?
In addition to which i will not leave my phone (GPS) or MP3 on the car while it being parked.
Thank you
You are correct i also realised that last night and found this one instead:
https://www.amazon.fr/gp/product/B06XSCCLCD/ref=ox...
Which i believe will do the job fine.
I do not want to fit a cigarette plug because it looks bulky, i also do not want to put a hole on the Engine bay to cockpit bulkhead because my engine bay is well sorted and do not want to ruin it with back side of the cigarette lighter.
thus i thought of using a usb plug like the one shown above.
With two exits I can plug my ipod and phone(gps).
I am afraid I lack the knowledge and do not understand your point about the master switch...
Since the entire car has no power until i switch on the master switch how will the usb drain the battery?
In addition to which i will not leave my phone (GPS) or MP3 on the car while it being parked.
Thank you
That would work. I would put a fuse on it for safety as well on the positive side.
You can buy single wire fuse holders to wire in.
If it is wired in to a 12v feed on the cutoff it will work, it depends where you wire it in to, obviously but should be obvious which is which.
My point about drain was that if your device is plugged in when parked, with master switch on, i.e. providing power, it will of course drain. In my setup even the USB plug has an led light to indicate it's working and that has a small drain, so I have to unplug the plug completely if leaving for a while.
You can buy single wire fuse holders to wire in.
If it is wired in to a 12v feed on the cutoff it will work, it depends where you wire it in to, obviously but should be obvious which is which.
My point about drain was that if your device is plugged in when parked, with master switch on, i.e. providing power, it will of course drain. In my setup even the USB plug has an led light to indicate it's working and that has a small drain, so I have to unplug the plug completely if leaving for a while.
Edited by Stridey on Sunday 26th November 23:58
Stridey said:
That would work. I would put a fuse on it for safety as well on the positive side.
You can buy single wire fuse holders to wire in.
If it is wired in to a 12v feed on the cutoff it will work, it depends where you wire it in to, obviously but should be obvious which is which.
My point about drain was that if your device is plugged in when parked, with master switch on, i.e. providing power, it will of course drain. In my setup even the USB plug has an led light to indicate it's working and that has a small drain, so I have to unplug the plug completely if leaving for a while.
Thanks for the input,You can buy single wire fuse holders to wire in.
If it is wired in to a 12v feed on the cutoff it will work, it depends where you wire it in to, obviously but should be obvious which is which.
My point about drain was that if your device is plugged in when parked, with master switch on, i.e. providing power, it will of course drain. In my setup even the USB plug has an led light to indicate it's working and that has a small drain, so I have to unplug the plug completely if leaving for a while.
Edited by Stridey on Sunday 26th November 23:58
How big should the fuse be for the purpose ?
Ok, a standard cigarette lighter uses a 15a.... but that is to allow for a cigarette plug heating up as a lighter, so way too high.
I'd use a 3 amp fuse for a satnav.
But your using, at times, possibly both leads, sat navy and maybe phone?
So try 3 amp and see how it goes, If it pops with two things plug in and charging try a higher amp fuse.
I'd use a 3 amp fuse for a satnav.
But your using, at times, possibly both leads, sat navy and maybe phone?
So try 3 amp and see how it goes, If it pops with two things plug in and charging try a higher amp fuse.
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