Installing a new secret USB port!!

[RichardThe3rd]

Hello.

I'm doing some work on my James Cook after a long trip away....and now I know what I need.

More solar, more usb ports.

For me it's important, that whatever I do, I can return the van to standard. I do not like putting new holes in big panels etc.

So, where can I fit a new usb port, that is hidden, and without damaging something I can't replace? Here is my solution.

I bought another rear cup holder which is the same as the original. (They are cheap and still made just the same) (I keep the original safe for any future return to a standard van.)

I drilled a hole in the back of the new one and fitted a usb port in there. There is already a perfect hole in the supporting panel where it fits onto.

I took a new 12V feed from the battery and wired in behind the panel.

The USB itself is one designed for boats, so has a waterproof cover.

You can still use the cup holder as normal, or plug in your devices (phones, iPads etc) and put them on the table without any long extension lead from the kitchen cabinet socket. When the holder is closed, it looks completely original.
See pics below.

IMG_2769.jpg (46.72 KiB) 4543 mal betrachtet

IMG_2770.jpg (44.96 KiB) 4543 mal betrachtet

IMG_2771.jpg (46.31 KiB) 4543 mal betrachtet

[Wedge]

Hi Richard,
many thanks for the inspiration - very good idea!

There can't be enough USB ports


Drive save,
best regards
Wedge

[siggyJC]

Where do you buy the usb?


Gesendet von iPad mit Tapatalk

[KlassikJames]

ProCar

[siggyJC]

Any link?
I find only this one:
http://www.awn.de/usb-steckdosen.html

Sincerly Siggy

[KlassikJames]

http://www.pro-car.de/USBEinsteckdo.html

[siggyJC]

I remember now a talk on a boot show. they are optimized for android and not for osx.

[E2nO]

I remember now a talk on a boot show. they are optimized for android and not for osx.

Sorry, you must be joking!

Maybe what you wanted to say was that the power consumption of non-Apple devices are much less than the power consumption of Apple devices like iPhone and the like. But surely this has nothing to to with the OS at all.

And, as far as I know, 2,2A is just enough for loading an iPhone6 at maximum rate (2.1A being stated as the maximum load current). So the double port USB connectors from pro-car will be well suitable for Apple devices. And in case of doubt, they also offer a 3A single port one as well.

Cheers, Enno.

[siggyJC]

I am asking them about 2 iPads loading and the consumption of power. The answer was that they have to decidet witch option to support more. And Android have more sales so they prefer Android.
Iam not talking about nighttime loading of a small device but of loading an working device like an iPad.
Most cigarette lighter usb port adapter support only loading offline and not working devices.

Sincerly SiggyJC

[E2nO]

Most cigarette lighter usb port adapter support only loading offline and not working devices.
Sincerly SiggyJC

But you are aware that the device that KlassicJames listed is for "build in" and direct 12V connection - not for being placed in any cigarette lighter. And my understanding is that 2.1A is the maximum power that any Apple mobile would consume - regardless of the mode operating.

And when I looked at the specs for cigarette lighter connections - they are designed for 10A load.
So in combination with the device that KlassicJames listed, everyone would be ok for any mobile devices.

Anyway, I am still not sure how your comment was related to the topic of this discussion, as this was specifically for showing how to add additional USB Plugs with a specific allowed load [that would actually allow to connect 2 Apple devices at the same time]

This thread was not about cigarette lighter plug devices that may come with 1,5A spec that would not allow even a single Apple device to get enough power (neither for loading in any decent time, nor for loading).

[siggyJC]

Yes maybe its the wrong place. When we stand in a pub you get another pint of lager and everything will be ok

[E2nO]

sure, anytime

[RichardThe3rd]

Hello, I ordered the USB's from Amazon, "Carchet".

I used heavy duty cable so that i can run a multi USB adapter box from the one socket.

Its all working well.

Good luck

[wocrafter]

Die Idee, die USB - Steckdose in den Getränkehalter einzubauen finde ich gar nicht so schlecht.
Nur sehe ich da ein Problem mit der - nicht - (oder noch nicht) manuell abschaltbaren Stromzufuhr.
Ich sehe schon die Frage im Forum nach Verbrauchern die die Akkus leer saugen

Gruß Wolfgang

[chase4food]

I remember now a talk on a boot show. they are optimized for android and not for osx.

Sorry to point out this is typical horse shit from the mouth of ignorant salesmen. His statement is ignorant unsubstantiated claim in generalizing Android versus iOS. Most of the low cost dual port 5V USB regulator made in China use the same Chinese made single chip regulator. My experience with them is every one I tried support iOS devices from the oldest to the newest, including iPhones and iPads. These USB regulators do not like supporting two high current devices, be it Android or iOS. My experience is they support one high (2.1A max) current device and a lower (1A max) current device just fine.

The maximum current the mobile will draw has nothing to do with power consumption. A well designed rechargeable device should draw the maximum current the specifications allow to re-charge the battery as fast as possible.