To start, be careful of your power source. Know when it is live and when it is not. If you kill your batteries (or worse) because you did something wrong, I am not responsible.
How I added Two 3A USB Charging Ports in dash, to my fleetwood bounder.
3A is alot of power. Enough for just about any power hungry portable device out there. It is strong enough to provide power to ANY of the following devices:
- Tablet (Android or apple irrelevant)
- Cell Phone, make irrelevant
- GPS
- Satellite Radio
- 5v battery storage units
- ANY Device which needs 3a of 5v power or less, with a USB interface
These USB ports will ONLY power devices, they will not transmit data, or interface with anything. This is not a 'hub'. It is power only. Do not expect to interface two devices together, or get vehicle information, or anything other than clean 5v power lol.
I like them, because they do not occupy my 12v socket should I ever need it for something or another. And it eliminates clutter.
Materials list:
- In-Line Fuse Holder, and fuse
- PC USB Port(s)
- 12v to 5v stepdown transformers. I used one per port for max charge, but you could splice two ports to one at reduced charge speed.
- Wiring - Small stuff will do. I think I used 18 or 20 guage.
- Connectors - For your splices.
- Optional - Heatshrink tubing.
For those of you who are wondering. I got the 12v to 5v transformers from ebay.
1pcs DC DC Converter Regulator 12V TO 5V 3A 15W CAR LED Display Power HG | eBay
These are the same thing. I used both ports over 4 days of driving 1300 miles and worked great.
Ok so right to it then!
Most PC USB connectors will have a connector that looks like this:
It is a 10 connector header, 5 connectors for each usb port. See the connector details below:
So, as you can see, we need the red and black wires. The white and green can be cut and isolated.
Next, make your harness. Attach your terminal connectors to your fuse holder, connect the wire that will run from the fuse holder to your transformers.
Add in your transformers, 1 or 2 however many you like. Make sure to wire the fused side to the 12v side of the transformer. Connect the 5v output directly to the usb header you made.
For the negative terminals, I attached the two together as with the positive, and found a good ground location.
Now, you should have something that looks similar to this.
Before you connect up the positive wire, remove the fuse. This will help prevent fire if you did something wrong.
First, find your power source. It can be any 12v source that has space available on the line (circuit fuse size). I tapped mine into the Main battery disconnect in my Fleetwood Bounder's BCC. In the image below, if you attach your terminal to the terminal in the bcc, you will have power when the coach main battery is ENABLED. When power is cut, you will lose power to these ports. I chose to wire it that way, as the only time I would use those ports is when I am travelling, and need quick access at console. I dont need it when parked, as ill be using my 110v ports.
Wire up your contraption, and install it in the dash. For my ground I was in luck as I had a ground-bar already in my dash. I added my ground terminal to it.
Insert fuse. If fuse doesnt blow within 10 seconds, chances are you didnt short anything, and thats good. Be sure to use a fuse of appropriate size. I used a 10 amp.
CLEANUP:
Tie off your wires, and secure them so they dont move. Watch out for points where they may rub and give the wires a layer or two of electrical tape to keep them safe.
And then, you are done!
Plug something in, and enjoy power!