USB Port/12v Port Amperage for charging devices?

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Dan Higgins

Dan Higgins

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So on @TrekboxX 's thread about the rear entertainment screen delete covers (awesome BTW - so if you want and aren't on the group buy list - get on it ASAP) there was some discussion regarding USB ports. This led me to wondering how powerful (or not) the USB and 12v ports are on a 2016+. I am currently trying to power my 10.5 iPad Pro (used as a GPS/map device as well as music source) while traveling. Unless I turn the screen brightness down to almost being unusable, the USB port just below the infotainment stack can't keep up. I'm guessing the amperage/wattage is not high enough? Which in turn has me wondering it is for the other ports.

Are the 12v ("cigarette lighter") ports more powerful? Would I be better off using one of those? What if I was to use one of the dual-USB plugs that go in the 12v ports? Would each of those USB ports be able to support higher amperage or, better yet, "fast charging" on the more powerful tablets/iPads?
 
The built-in USB charger on 2016+ only supports the basic USB specification of 5 watts. Newer iPads are shipped with a 12 watt charging brick, and some may even support charging up to 24 watts (via USB-C to lightning adapter).

In short, the 12V plug is more powerful. The 12V plug coupled with a charger that supports 12 watts (or more) of output will be a better choice. I have an Aukey low-profile USB charger. It fits inside the little cubby in front of the shift lever, and it's small enough that you can close the door to the cubby without having to remove the charger. The little flap on top of the charger port sits kinda half-open though. The Aukey has two USB ports and supports 2.4 amps per port (which, at 5 Volts, equals 12 watts of charging per port).

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00M6QODH2/

Cheers.
 
In addition to the good ideas above, here’s what I’ve discovered about iPad/iPhone charging in the ’17 200. The USB port on the console directly below the center stack is wimpy for charging, to say the least. It’s a connection into the sound system, but charges very slowly, if much at all. The wireless charging slot in the console works fine with my iPhone X (and also with an iPhone 8), so I use that all the time for the phones.


For the iPads, I use a Belkin USB charging adapter into the 12VDC outlet on the floor of the rear of the center console and run wires up to the front seat area for charging. I could also use the 12VDC outlet in the center console, but that’s busy with my rear view camera for towing and with my GPS (splitter on the outlet to run both).


There are 2 different common amperages for power from a USB charging port. One is about 1 amp and one is about 2 amps. Both are 5VDC. The 2 amp version (or 2.1A, or 2.4A, etc.) is the version you want for an iPad. Look for that spec when you buy a USB charging adapter to plug into a 12VDC outlet. The hardwired version Trexboxx experimented with for the covers had one of each (1 amp and 2.1 amp) for USB outlets.


If you buy a USB charger to plug directly into a 120VAC outlet, be aware that Apple and others sell both the low power and the high power version for that too. The small squarish Apple USB charger is 1 amp and the larger roundish Apple USB charger is 2.4 amps (both of course are 5VDC output).


So, bottom line, make sure the USB charger reads at least 2 amps for charging an iPad and you’ll be much happier with the speed of charging.
 
Sandroad said:
In addition to the good ideas above, here’s what I’ve discovered about iPad/iPhone charging in the ’17 200. The USB port on the console directly below the center stack is wimpy for charging, to say the least. It’s a connection into the sound system, but charges very slowly, if much at all. The wireless charging slot in the console works fine with my iPhone X (and also with an iPhone 8), so I use that all the time for the phones.


For the iPads, I use a Belkin USB charging adapter into the 12VDC outlet on the floor of the rear of the center console and run wires up to the front seat area for charging. I could also use the 12VDC outlet in the center console, but that’s busy with my rear view camera for towing and with my GPS (splitter on the outlet to run both).


There are 2 different common amperages for power from a USB charging port. One is about 1 amp and one is about 2 amps. Both are 5VDC. The 2 amp version (or 2.1A, or 2.4A, etc.) is the version you want for an iPad. Look for that spec when you buy a USB charging adapter to plug into a 12VDC outlet. The hardwired version Trexboxx experimented with for the covers had one of each (1 amp and 2.1 amp) for USB outlets.


If you buy a USB charger to plug directly into a 120VAC outlet, be aware that Apple and others sell both the low power and the high power version for that too. The small squarish Apple USB charger is 1 amp and the larger roundish Apple USB charger is 2.4 amps (both of course are 5VDC output).


So, bottom line, make sure the USB charger reads at least 2 amps for charging an iPad and you’ll be much happier with the speed of charging.
Click to expand...

Quick caveat: the older 120V iPad chargers are only 5 watts--even though they are the larger, roundish chargers. The only way to know for sure is to read the ultra-tiny print on the charger and confirm the output is 5V 2.4A. If you have had numerous Apple devices in your life, you likely have a mix of old and new chargers around the house.
 
Bonus fact: the wireless charging pad in the 2016+ 200 is 5 watts. It's not the quickest way to charge a phone. The iPhone X and iPhone 8/8+ support wireless charging at up to 7.5 watts, but you must purchase a wireless charger that is specifically designed (chipped) to work with Apple products to get the faster charging speed. Currently, those chargers are made by Mophie, Belkin, and Ravpower. Faster wireless chargers are available (10 watts and above), but they will only charge the iPhone at 5 watts because they don't have the chip (and Apple doesn't get paid unless you license the chip).
 
Somebody said:
Bonus fact: the wireless charging pad in the 2016+ 200 is 5 watts. It's not the quickest way to charge a phone. The iPhone X and iPhone 8/8+ support wireless charging at up to 7.5 watts, but you must purchase a wireless charger that is specifically designed (chipped) to work with Apple products to get the faster charging speed. Currently, those chargers are made by Mophie, Belkin, and Ravpower. Faster wireless chargers are available (10 watts and above), but they will only charge the iPhone at 5 watts because they don't have the chip (and Apple doesn't get paid unless you license the chip).
Click to expand...

Add Blue Sea 4.8A to the list of chipped USB outlets for Apple
 
Dan,

The more recent iPad chargers are 12W and 2.4 Amps.
I would go for a 48W 4-Outlet unit with a total of 9.6 Amp output.
This means all four ports can push the full 2.4 Amps simultaneously.
That might seem like overkill, but all it takes is a phone, a tablet, a passenger's phone, and any other USB device (like a satellite communicator, winch remote, flashlight, etc.

Having the full 2.4 power assures you that any device capable of utilizing it will charge very quickly.

Here's one I have that is often stamped with various other brand names including very reputable ANKER:

$16 and I've been using several of these for years and they are super solid:
https://www.amazon.com/Anker-4-Port...rd_wg=HnXbs&psc=1&refRID=XGPKHWDN1RWDMXV033AB

If you really wanna go nuts, get 35Watt single port USB-C charger and then a USB-C to Lightning port converter, and then you crank serious power into the latest iPad Pro. But that gets pricey.
 
Last edited:
Great tips, Everyone! Awesome. In the front I decided to go with the low-profile Aukey for the 12v outlet in the little cubby (2016+). Thanks, @Somebody! Primarily for convenience as it tucks away nicely. My (new) iPhone 8 charging well enough with the wireless charging pad in the same cubby. I realize it is only 5w but it will be serviceable for most use cases. I don't tend to have much going on with my iPhone when I'm traveling except for an occasional conference call. I use the iPad for GPS, music, etc. (Since the 16+ has "Siri Handfree" I use that with the phone. I turned off "Hey, Siri" on my phone and turned it on with the iPad. So when I want to make something happen on the phone e.g. make a call I use the Siri Handsfree button. When I want to control music or setup the GPS to find an address via Siri, I use "Hey Siri".)

If I need something more powerful than what is provided by the Aukey low profile up front, I ordered the Anker Quickcharge 3.0 for the 12v outlet on the rear of the console. Thanks, @terdrocket!

@Markuson, the 4-port was a beast but without anyone in the 2nd row it was probably overkill. So I went with the 2-port.

Bottom line is that this was extremely helpful and quick! Love this forum! (Even got my IH8MUD sticker and put it on my Gobi rack fairing this week.)
 
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