I tried to search for a product on the internet that was a kit to hardwire a couple USB outlets so that I could plug in my phone and ipod without having to take up the power adapter in the front. I have put in a small charging flashlight in that outlet and would like to keep it there. Plus the adapters that plug into the power outlet are all big an bulky and I prefer hiding the plugs so the interior looks clean. Anyone either done this or have a link to a product that you can hardwire to the fuse panel and have it end in two or three USB power outlets?

 

A couple of approaches to consider:

Install extra 12V lighter sockets. Use a USB adapter in each of them.

Use a USB hub. USB is 5V, so the hub is probably powered by 5V from an AC adapter wall wart. Buid or buy a circuit to step down from 12V to 5V, which you would use to power the hub.

 

A usb line consists of 4 lines...

Pin Cable color Description
1 Red = +5 VDC
2 White = Data -
3 Green = Data +
4 Black = Ground

For just power you would ignore the data lines and just go for the red and black.

Hope that help a little...

 

I had thought to install extra 12v lighter sockets but I really wanted to avoid the look of someone who had one wall outlet at Christmas time and every string of lights being run off that one outlet. I may have to do that in the long run but I am hoping there is a more elegant solution, like you mentioned in your last sentence. I was hoping that someone knew of an existing product that would do the step down for me so I wouldnt need to build it. Thanks for your response.

 

While I am still learning, my understanding is that somewhere in the line I would need to convert the 12v battery power to 5v USB power so understanding what each line color does is helpful but I was hoping to find a product that would do all the hard work for me, or at least someone who had been there and done that so I could follow someone else's greater experience. Thanks for your response.

 

Looking around I found this... 12v in 5v out.. I am still looking for a prebuilt device but for ideas..

 

Here is another DIY..

http://www.instructables.com/id/How-...For-Any-iPod-/

 

My approach to this would be kinda what you have and what rwk said. From

((12VDC))-- to --((5vAC)) -- ((Portable usb hub)) -- 4 lines from hub to location in the car..

How many outputs are you looking to have?
I would try and find a portable hub so you wont have to deal with the standard 120v house plug. The portable hub if I am not mistaken, uses power from the notebook (or car).

 

The black wire is ground, not -5V.

Lighter-to-USB adaptors are for sale all over the net from as low as $5. I'd move the flashlight to the boot and pick up a dual USB adapter. I can't remember, ever needing a flashlight while driving around anyway. I used to keep a little LED light around but I never used it. It's hanging on a key rack in the house now.

 

Changed.. Sry about that.

Here is a good reference site for USB pin outs and signals

http://pinouts.ru/Slots/USB_pinout.shtml

 

I did spend some time looking around the net for the product I was looking for and found a couple that might work but I really wanted to hide the whole tangled wire look. I actually have used the flashlight a couple times, but my driveway is not lighted and I often get home after dark so it has come in handy. I also take it with me when I run out to check the mail after coming home at night. One product I found that holds the most promise so far is:



My idea would be to cut off the end and hard wire it into the fuse panel and then run the wiring and place the power end somewhere out of the way. But I was hoping to find something like this with JUST the USB.

 

Well right now I have three different items that could use USB power, cell phone, ipod and GPS. Of course it would be nice to have one extra for whatever. I like the idea and had thought it might be possible to go the portable hub route. In fact, I have one sitting unused at home. I am just not sure that it work well with so many items drawing power from the same circuit. I was looking for those who were a bit better informed and who might have been there, done that to weigh in.

 

How about this thing?

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.688

 

It will work, especially if I use a hub on the end of it, but it doesnt solve the problem of leaving the power outlet empty so I can use it for my flashlight or some other use.

 

I meant mounting extra hardwired 12V sockets into interior panels for a factory look. Add some extra ashtrays and make your car look like a smokers paradise.

To use a 5V USB hub, Google "12v 5v converter" and you'll find off-the-shelf voltage converters ready to use. For example: http://www.powerstream.com/dc6.htm

 

Thanks for the tip. I will do some more searching and see what I can come up with....

 

Nice, but where is the link to the item shown?

 

Sorry.....

http://www.amazon.com/Multi-Use-Car-...0700921&sr=8-4

 

Thanks for the link...