Adding USB power ports

[speyrod]

I am looking at adding a couple of USB power ports to my 09 LX. I am considering placing them on the side of the "cup holders". When I use the cup holders I use a couple of Yeti cups that don't wobble or spill. Has anyone added charging ports, also looking where to install for the second row.

I have removed the cup holders, is there a thread on removing the console on an early LX? I searched an didn't see one.

 

[gentimmy]

Just today I looked at my ash trays in the second row and thought it would be an appropriate spot for power sources.

Interested to see what you come up with

 

[Reckless]

I dont know about you but I'm to lazy and just bought a $0.99 dual port usb cigarette adapter and placed it in my cigarette adapters.

 

[SnoViking]

OP; Does your truck have rear entertainment?

For the rear; I went through the same exercise on my GX, and will do the same for the LX. I drilled out and mounted two double USB outlets below the rear AC controls. For the front I replaced the two cigarette plugs with double USB outlets and then also put one in the back of the glove box.
I installed five total (3 amps each) and wired them to a separate 15amp fuse in my accessory fuse block.

 

[Markuson]

Just today I looked at my ash trays in the second row and thought it would be an appropriate spot for power sources.

Interested to see what you come up with

I thought the same thing some time back...and came up with this solution I am very happy with.

I cut out the ash tray frame and made hole large enough for this...
(wired through door wire tube and down through door jam/pillar)

Which ended up like this:

Then attached Velcro here:

(Switch from 12V socket on the right for another double USB (so 2.4A x4 +on/off master switch)

Then created a a nifty little charge station for various USB-charged items on the Velcro like this:

Works a charm.

Since it’s powered whether running or not...the on/off lets me easily turn it off if parked longer term.

This is easily one of my favorite little concoctions because it took a tidy, but-otherwise-wasted “shelf” and turned it into a great little easy-access charge station.

 

[TeCKis300]

Personally, I'm not sure I'd add USB power ports directly to the vehicle. USB-A power ports that is. Sure, it has, and will have great utility for a time. Just know there's some other thing on:

While USB-A might seem straight forward and ubiquitous today, it's already been a specification that been constantly changing. Same physical format, but there's been so many different charge protocols in this same plug. From different volt and amps specs, to PowerIQ, VoltageBoost, Qualcomm Quick Charge, the list goes on with many other proprietary protocols. Will the USB power port adequately support the next gen of whatever device is coming out, who knows. It will at a minimum support the lowest common denominator and charge slowly, but it may not have the correct fast charge protocol for future devices.

Already, the physical USB-A plug is starting to change to USB-C plugs. There's adapters, but technology is moving fast. I'd personally go with the more generic cig lighter receptacle install and add whatever USB adapter in there. Though I guess one could just as easily upgrade the power port too at a future date.

 

[Markuson]

Personally, I'm not sure I'd add USB power ports directly to the vehicle. USB-A power ports that is. Sure, it has, and will have great utility for a time. Just know there's some other thing on:

While USB-A might seem straight forward and ubiquitous today, it's already been a specification that been constantly changing. Same physical format, but there's been so many different charge protocols in this same plug. From different volt and amps specs, to PowerIQ, VoltageBoost, Qualcomm Quick Charge, the list goes on with many other proprietary protocols. Will the USB power port adequately support the next gen of whatever device is coming out, who knows. It will at a minimum support the lowest common denominator and charge slowly, but it may not have the correct fast charge protocol for future devices.

Already, the physical USB-A plug is starting to change to USB-C plugs. There's adapters, but technology is moving fast. I'd personally go with the more generic cig lighter receptacle install and add whatever USB adapter in there. Though I guess one could just as easily upgrade the power port too at a future date.

Well… -Takes all of maybe 5 minutes to pop this plate off and swap in a USB-C, or whatever other kind of plugs you may want in the future.

And ya. .5A, 1A, 21.A, 2.4A etc. per USB port are out there...36W quick charge, USB-C...and a zillion others. These are 2.4A per port and lower draw items draw only what they require.

Only part I’m not a fan of is that nearly all of them include voltage meters, which are not good judges of exact voltage anyway. Good news is they seem to consume a TINY bit of power only, and also serve as indicators they are powered/functional, so meh...

As for the old standard 12V socket (cigarette lighter style) receptacles—They have arguably the poorest electrical contacts of all, and are notorious for losing contact off-road.

No thanks.

Re: USB-C...
All of $12.99 with zillions of other options as well:

Five minutes after I walk in with a USB-C iPad...I’ll pop a swap of these in place wherever, and done.

 

[TeCKis300]

Man I get that things evolve, but even total USB demise won’t matter one little bit for the add-setup I shared above (or anyone installing the dominant, round socket-type choices out there).

-Takes all of maybe 5 minutes to pop this plate off and swap in a USB-C, or whatever other kind of plugs you may want in the future.

View attachment 1913811

And ya. .5A, 1A, 21.A, 2.4A etc. per USB port are out there...36W quick charge, USB-C...and a zillion others. These are 2.4A per port and lower draw items draw only what they require.

Only part I’m not a fan of is that nearly all of them include voltage meters, which are not good judges of exact voltage anyway. Good news is they seem to consume a TINY bit of power only, and also serve as indicators they are powered/functional, so meh...

As for the old standard 12V socket (cigarette lighter style) receptacles—They have arguably the poorest electrical contacts of all, and are notorious for losing contact off-road.

No thanks.

Re: USB-C...
All of $12.99 with zillions of other options as well:

Five minutes after I walk in with a USB-C iPad...I’ll pop a swap of these in place wherever, and done.

Don't get your panties in a bunch just because someone else has a different perspective. It goes back to the question, what do you want to use it for. In this, not everyone uses their vehicle the same. If you read what I posted, I acknowledged what you're recommending. It works for you, and I'm sure it will work for many others. Just a point from a different perspective that's no more right or wrong but perhaps worth a discussion.

A cig lighter is a generic power port, that can support ~150W. With many adaptors to do as you wish. More than what's available as a hard installed USB port.

A USB-A port is physically a more specific port. Lower power limit. Specific number of devices. Specific protocols.

I only bring this up as I've upgraded my USB adapter 3x in the last 5 years as I upgrade phones regularly. I just ordered one again, as my wife's phone is finally on USB-C. I move my adapters around sometimes to other vehicles. I have one particular and pricey USB-C 75W adapter that I use with my laptop. Something you won't find in a permanently installed power port...yet.

 

[Markuson]

Don't get your panties in a bunch just because someone else has a different perspective.

??

Man, if you’re thinkin about some dude in panties...there are probably other forums for that somewhere...

PS. Not sure how explaining why your concern is a non-issue die yo easy of swaps is getting wadded up…