DIY USB charging port
 

Another rainy day...so I decided to install a USB charging port in one of the empty spots near the e-brake. Sure, I could have purchased one of those tacky add on USB ports, or converted an existing charger, but I had all of the components on hand, so I scratch built the whole thing ;)

This circuit is a regulated 5VDC, 1amp supply and will charge any USB device.

http://i875.photobucket.com/albums/a...E394B488D6.jpg

http://i875.photobucket.com/albums/a...E39CA213CB.jpg

http://i875.photobucket.com/albums/a...E3C5AB59C3.jpg

http://i875.photobucket.com/albums/a...E3CC5A427D.jpg

http://i875.photobucket.com/albums/a...E3DBB2FFCF.jpg

Looks good... Sometimes the little self made items work the best...
I bought one of those 'tacky' ones :) but hid it in the back of the empty tray below the radio and used it for GPS power (I can also charge the cell off of it)
Nice job...
Heiko

Nice work! Love the creativity. Obviously you know a thing or two about electronics ;)

Thanks! ;)
Yeah, electronics is a bit of a hobby...great install Heiko!
This was more because I was bored than anything.

http://i875.photobucket.com/albums/a...EA4A8D2D6B.jpg

http://i875.photobucket.com/albums/a...EA3F16F9D2.jpg

That's the Aux. input in the "ashtray" ;)

http://i875.photobucket.com/albums/a...EA5108CF0F.jpg

Very nice work!

sources for the usb retrofit?
 

Anyone know if there are these types of USB retrofit plugs out there?

Not to mechanically inclined and do not want to tackle it myself,

thanks

Great Idea!!
Looks faboo

Where did you get power from?

Not sure where Particlewave pulled his from, but you can pull it from either the cig-adapter or the main radio feed if you want (those are probably the two easiest to access for 12V). I pulled mine from the switched power on the radio as I run my Garmin off of it and want the jack to go off when the key is turned off. The cig adapter on the other hand is live all the time which would leave the USB outlet on all the time (convenient if you want to keep charging something when the key is off)... In the meantime I've installed two of these now... one for constant power and the one in the dash that's switched - this way I can charge my phone even when I'm not in the car :)

Or, you could just stick one of these in your "cigarette lighter".
Mini USB car power adapter

Unless you smoke, in which case you could undo those little screws and use the guts in your installation.

Very cool project, particlewave.

That's the way I did it.

Yeah, but where is the fun in that? :p
Also, I wanted something integrated and OEM looking, rather than stuck on (or in).

This way, my power port (cig lighter) is always free for other things, too ;)

Thank you, sir :)

I pulled power from the phone harness.

You can buy the cigarette lighter plugs like mentioned above.

If you want the integrated look using one of the switch blanks like I did, I'll have some for sale within about a month (but much more finished looking than mine). Unfortunately, I'm pretty far behind on retrofits right now.

But I did lay over a Porsche decal on the cig adapter- and cut out the USB hole. Looks kinda cool.:cool:

Davev, you have pics?

I'd like to see this, too. Sounds cool :cool:

The car is down at my winter place but I'll snap one next time I'm down there.

"If you want the integrated look using one of the switch blanks like I did, I'll have some for sale within about a month (but much more finished looking than mine). Unfortunately, I'm pretty far behind on retrofits right now. "

I would be very interested in purchasing one of these usb set ups from you when you are ready to sell them. Please PM when you are ready, ParticleWeave. Thanks

great install...

so where does the heated seat switch go???

Who needs heated seats when you have a heated garage? :)

FYI: there are also occasionally some empty switch blanks in the upper trim bezels and/or lower "batwing" ;)
I prefer the center console because I don't like charger wires running out from the dash.