Anyone find a good USB port set up?
 

Recently added a vintage Blaupunkt Lexington (aux in allows iPod/bluetooth, blah, blah). Not exactly period correct ('84), but a lot nicer looking than most of the newer units.

The downside is the need for a couple of USB charging ports. Plenty of stuff out there, but I wondered if anyone has come up with a nice, clean, integrated, hardwired solution, rather than stuff laying about or dangling here and there.

I was looking at the slot in the center console where the speaker fader lives but am reluctant to take a Dremel to it to open it up to accept some of the dual ports I see on sites like Ebay. Everything available seems too wide and too short.

Curious if anyone has tackled this yet. Bonus points if you also came up with a nice antenna switch too.

Antenna switch?

Yes, modern head units don't isolate the radio to the power antenna. When the unit is on, the antenna goes up even if you're listening to something other than the radio (about 95% of the time for me). Solution seems to be (from other threads) an inline switch to put the mast up when you need it for the radio.

I'm sure you're right. I once hooked up a receiver with the amp turn-on lead to the antenna turn-on lead, and it acted just like you said. One was blue, and the other was blue/white. I changed the leads and the antenna worked only with the radio. Other brands may be different, but why have a separate antenna and amp leads? Who knows.
Good luck,
Dave

I don't have a clean solution for you, I just use the cigarette lighter (almost full time for the Waze app).

I have found that my lighter socket is a little large for the standard USB chargers. I fix that by jamming a small piece of rubber under the charger side ground prongs so it fits tight.

Chuck.H
'89 TurboLookTarga, 425k miles

Usb port
 

You mean like this? I too have a lexington cm84 i think and prior to replacing my monterey which is currently stored i hooked up a usb port on the blank plug beside the lighter and bluetooth ears and plugs placed on top of my center console

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1484522171.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1484522224.jpg

Something like this?:

https://powerwerx.com/panel-mount-dual-usb-device-charger-high-output

I've put one of these in my truck - works great.

It wouldn't be hard to install so that it's not obvious - just install behind the kneedpad with the ports pointing to the floor. This is what I did with the AUX IN for my stereo. The port doesn't appear to be there from most vantage points; you have to be looking under the dash. It protrudes enough that your fingers can find it.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1484533990.jpg
here is one thats a clock also, from mid continent

Cool, but $500.
Dave

oh yes, the term "aircraft" adds $400.00!!

Just thinking outside the box, but what about a marine style solution?

https://www.westmarine.com/buy/west-marine--panel-mount-dual-usb-charger-socket--15830490?cm_mmc=PS-_-MSN-_-Shopping%20PLAs-_-15830490&creative=73736013195909&device=c

Maybe a discreet location or mounted on the dash somewhere? Maybe replace the cigarette lighter hole.

I was thinking something like this for the slot where the speaker fader is - but everything I've seen is a little too fat.

Dual Port 12V USB Charger Socket Voltage Voltmeter Rocker Switch Panel Boat Car | eBay

this looks interesting: https://www.amazon.ca/Multifunction-Voltmeter-Socket-Suitable-Motorcycle/dp/B00Y09N8T2/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1484759358&sr=8-8&keywords=switch+panel+usb+volt+meter

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon....1tj-FBOIbL.jpg

will order this as well:

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon....L._SL1000_.jpg


EDIT: ordered it, cheap enough to give it a try. Looks like I can either use the panel it came with, or replace the existing lighter with one of the inserts (or add more elsewhere)

I put the additional USB charging ports (and the 120v outlet) under the passenger seat.

Cheaper but have to wait for shipping from China....

USB Three Hole Panel | eBay

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1484838786.jpg


http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1484838802.jpg

You're gonna be draping wires with all of these USB chargers.

The best solution I found was to simply hide the wiring in the center console along with the device. The cable(s) ran from the back of the head unit into the back of the console, in the pocket beneath the AC controls.

With regard to the antenna, any switch will do. Just put it in series with the blue (blue/white?) wire coming out of the head unit (or whatever controls the power antenna—probably a relay).

There's a thread on here about making the cigarette lighter work better, it involves cutting a purchased receptacle and inserting it into the existing socket.

Then one may install the USB charging device of choice into the "new" receptacle.

Update, received my package from Amazon, the single round USB device that was supposed to have a voltage meter inside of it didn't, so I returned it. Kept the 3-outlet panel. I think I'll replace the cigarette lighter with the USB charger, and ad in the voltage meter beside it (I have some momentary switch in that hole, not hooked up to anything at the moment as far as I can tell)

Will report back once installed.

Should these devices be connected with new wiring straight back to the battery, and controlled with a relay triggered by the accessory line on the ignition. or a fused low current line to the accessory line from the ignition?

The draw will be minimal. The existing wires will be fine.

It's worth noting that the voltage at the cigarette lighter might not be the voltage at the battery due to old/long wiring. Better than nothing, though, I suppose...

I've got a great unit. I'll post a pic.

USB is 5.1vdc at about .7A You can find chargers that are a little high amps but pretty close to that.

Following this thread. I'd also like to add dual 2.1A USB charging ports somewhere inconspicuous. I had looked at the marine ad-ons suggested before but would like a more stealth install.

Since I've got a no-console '72, I've thought about adding a VDO gauge pod similar to the one shown here (this is a Pelican's ride, don't remember who's), cutting small slots for USB and mounting the guts of a car charger behind the panel. Could also drill and add a power antenna up/down switch for when I'm listening to Bluetooth being fed in thru the aux port in the back of my old Blaupunkt radio.

Stealthy and more appropriate looking for a vintage 911 interior than those blue LED marine things.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1485193575.JPG

In terms of simple USB charging in a car, I haven't found anything better than this:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01CL01NAC/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

it is a very discreet charger for the cigarette lighter. Two ports, both of which are powerful enough to charge a tablet while in use, with no fanfare or egregious protrusions.

For increased stealth, one could rub off the white text, or just wire in an auxiliary socket someplace completely out of site.

Anyone find a good USB port set up?
 

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...47636bb34f.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...044cbd4d35.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...293c7f54b2.jpg

The dual USB charger is 2.1 amps, so it's a quick charge akin to using an iPad charger for your iPhone. I also fused the USB charger.

And the voltmeter is wired direct to the battery. Looks period correct for my '84 [emoji41] The voltmeter is a lifesaver! My alternator belt snapped and I wouldn't have known if I didn't have the gauge! Install one NOW!

Very nice.
Dave

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1495060474.JPG
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1495060474.JPG
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1495060474.JPG
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1495060474.JPG

Here is my USB socket attempt with my 1986 Targa, which turned out pretty well.

The USB and 12v power socket I used are, I think, from the same manufacturer as the ones posted by BERGO on 1/18/17.

The blue foam behind the face plate, and into which the back of the usb/12v sockets are placed, are water noodles from WalMart ($.96 for a 6 ft noodle).

I had a machine shop create a faceplate for me according to a wooden template I gave them, then took all the measurement and drew up the draft you see here.

Primed and painted and installed. No drilling required. Spliced into some power from the other wires behind the console.

That looks exactly like what I want. Will you share precisely how you did that? I love that you used the blank next to the lighter

Not necessarily blank, unless you don't have rear defrost.
Good luck,
Dave

my less than 10€ setup

http://www.carrera-32.com/wp-content...usb-iphone.jpg

I'm Sad Man.

Sad Man doesn't like anything modern in his 1978 911SC.

I get in and my phone gets chucked into the glove box. (I let all calls go to VM) No radio, just a cassette if I'm in the mood which is less and less these days.
Just drive it and enjoy the serenity. There's nothing as good as that flat six wailing in the background. ;)

Informative thread.

I have something like this which is great because it works in your lighter port and gives you volts.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1507091141.jpg

Found here. Flight Gear Dual USB Charger - from Sporty's Pilot Shop

Was hoping for some newbie tech advice on this
 

Resurrecting an old thread here in the hopes someone in the know wouldn't mind sharing a little bit of Auto electrical 101 here. I would really like to add a USB port and a volt meter to place in the radio delete plate in my 79' SC. I really have zero experience with auto electrics and I'm wondering if it is as simple as splicing into the wires that provide power to the cigar lighter? Would anyone mind giving a reasonably detailed explanation of how this is done for a newbie please? I would like to retain the existing lighter port for the radar detector so tapping into but maintaining the original lighter would be ideal. Lot's of good looking solutions on this thread but I'm unclear on how to do it. Thanks!

It is indeed. Use wires that are the same gauge or thicker, and just splice into the positive and negative wires on the cigar lighter. A voltmeter uses so little juice that the chance of blowing a fuse while you light up a fat cigar are near-zero, and if you use the same gauge or thicker wire, you don't need any additional fusing.

For USB, you can buy a USB charger that plugs into the cigar lighter socket for $15. You can also splice here if desired, but there is a chance of blowing a fuse while you're charging two iPads and lighting a fat cigar (otherwise, still a low chance of blowing a fuse).

Thanks Tremelune! Are the wires accessible from beneath the dash or will I be going in through the frunk?

Oh you know...find the cigar lighter and just start yankin' sh:t...

This post showed mounted a voltage gauge and USB ports in the ashtray. Slick setup and hidden when the ashtray is up. Im sure one of the amazon kits could fit as easy as what the person did.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/1077276-ashtray-modification-usb-volt-meter-install.html