Permanent USB cable?

[danieltrusty]

Has anyone tried to hardwire a USB cable power source(for phones, ect.) into their car? It seems like it would be convient, just wondering if anyone has done it to an always on power source. Give me an idea of what to do...I can hook up simple stuff but I'm still learning a lot!

[Legacy89]

Easy but there's four options to that:
A: Figure out what wire is what in a USB cable and wire it to + and - with a fuse behind the fusebox
B: Buy a universal 12v outlet, and a universal charger. wire up + and -
And if you want, put a flush mount USB in the dash and connect it to the charger. or put a USB cable of your choice to where you want it.
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2013/08/SOS90410-1.jpg

C: Newer Pioneer HU's has two outlets so you can charge your phone while listening to USB audio, And all you need to do to get that to stay on when you want is to splice the remote line into the constant power, You would have to turn it off every time you exit the car though.

D:Black & Decker and other brands has some small "booster batteries" with a 12volt socket, you can tuck one of those under the front seats and many of them have 12v/USB outlets on them.
I have one from Gebe, it fits neatly under the seat, has 2 USB outlets, 12V Socket(for charging or other use) and a built in air compressor)

[decke48]

^ usb is only 5 volts
Best bet is to disassemble one of those usb cigarette lighter units wire, fuse, and tap it into cigarette lighter wiring and find a place you want to mount it

[Rust2Runner]

It'd be fairly easy to do IF you really want to do it. You'd just need a usb outlet and a 12v to 5v down converter (or find a usb outlet already designed for automotive use and bust it apart to fit where you need).

But... permanent is permanent. I've seen so many things that everyone thought for certain would be around forever come and go. High data transfer mobile devices are only in their infancy at the moment. It feels like they've been around forever now since you can hardly think of a person these days that doesn't have some sort of "smart" device. The best example would be the tape/cd players. A very large number of members on here have tape and/or cd players and never use either. Aux inputs, bluetooth, etc. have practically obsoleted them.

The good thing about the 2nd gen legacy's though is that they seem to have about a dozen unused blanks scattered all around the interior. I'd probably cut out the coin holder and fabricate there, or if you have the console with the blanks next to the e-brake that'd be a good spot too. That'd give you permanent, but the ability to undo it down the road when the next thing comes along.

[Rust2Runner]

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Dynex%26%23 ... Id=4835402 (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Dynex%26%23153%3B-Direct---Direct-DC-USB-Charger/4835402.p?id=1218540193656&skuId=4835402)

^this plus a dremel tool, and some wiring. I'd probably piggy-back an inline 10amp fuse just to call it a pro job.

[Cooper197]

Old thread, but for future reference of anybody looking, this works very well.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0082C ... UTF8&psc=1 (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0082CXEI8/ref=oh_details_o01_s01_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1)
Just pop that in, happens to be the same size as the factory lighter, and just has positive and negative connections just like the lighter. Very easy!

[Asphalt Art]

I use one the the lighter inserts such as this:

http://www.amazon.com/eGear-Volt-Rechargeable-LED-Light/dp/B009RZ6SF0/ref=sr_1_20?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1382210341&sr=1-20&keywords=usb+charger+lighter

I intend to make a more permanent setup later, but seeing as I don't use the lighter in my car anyways it is a good place. I remember all to well of shoving them in, just to scramble to find the burning S.O.B. as it shot out in some of the older cars. :smt013

[Wiscon_Mark]

The griffin one is good, and fits flush:

http://www.amazon.com/Griffin-Charger-C ... +powerjolt (http://www.amazon.com/Griffin-Charger-Charge-Ipad2-Iphone/dp/B0079BLTPS/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1383361184&sr=8-3&keywords=griffin+powerjolt)

[anothernord]

I've always wanted to use one of these:

http://www.starmarinedepot.com/blue-sea ... Mwoda3cAJQ (http://www.starmarinedepot.com/blue-sea-dual-usb-charger-socket---2-usb-ports-w%2Fwatertight-cap/pzz1951.html?gclid=CJGEjLaGx7oCFSgSMwoda3cAJQ)

I second mark's choice though. Plus there's 2 ports. Annd, you can close the little cover on your cigarette lighter port to make it clean.

[Cooper197]

I have one of these. It's awesome. Works very well, so far. It's only been installed for a couple of days but has had a ton of use since. Would recommend it.


I've always wanted to use one of these:

http://www.starmarinedepot.com/blue-sea ... Mwoda3cAJQ (http://www.starmarinedepot.com/blue-sea-dual-usb-charger-socket---2-usb-ports-w%2Fwatertight-cap/pzz1951.html?gclid=CJGEjLaGx7oCFSgSMwoda3cAJQ)

I second mark's choice though. Plus there's 2 ports. Annd, you can close the little cover on your cigarette lighter port to make it clean.