USB Wiring.

[MONSONwarrior Premium Member]

I wanna wire a female usb into my car's electrical so I can charge my iPod with the cords hidden so could I just hook the ground and power from a cig lighter up to this?

Newegg.com - StarTech USBMBADAPT 6" USB A Female to USB Motherboard 4 Pin Header F/F ADAPTER

Click to read more...

 

[sacsking916 5,000+ posts]

Why not get one of those plugs that go into your cigarette lighter that has USB plugs.

 

[MONSONwarrior Premium Member]

Why not get one of those plugs that go into your cigarette lighter that has USB plugs.

It's gonna be all behind the dash. My iPod will be hooked up through the A/V in the back of the unit so the USB needs to be behind too. Then I only have a two inches of cord sticking out of the dash going to my iPod holder.

 

[sacsking916 5,000+ posts]

I checked out that site. Should work no problem. Are you eliminating the cigarette lighter. Or just tapping into?

 

[tpmeredith 10+ year member]

It's gonna be all behind the dash. My iPod will be hooked up through the A/V in the back of the unit so the USB needs to be behind too. Then I only have a two inches of cord sticking out of the dash going to my iPod holder.

If worried about it being hidden, why not run it to the glovebox? But ya that'll work no problem, as you said simple cut the data +/- connection and use the 12v/ground

 

[MONSONwarrior Premium Member]

If worried about it being hidden, why not run it to the glovebox? But ya that'll work no problem, as you said simple cut the data +/- connection and use the 12v/ground

That's the plan.. I have a male to female usb extender sitting here so I think I may try that before ordering anything.

I checked out that site. Should work no problem. Are you eliminating the cigarette lighter. Or just tapping into?

Just eliminating, I never use it.

 

[we87 10+ year member]

If worried about it being hidden, why not run it to the glovebox? But ya that'll work no problem, as you said simple cut the data +/- connection and use the 12v/ground

Whoa now, be careful! USB is not 12 volts like our cars are, USB is 5 volts....and usually regulated for cellphones and iPods and such.

If your just extending from a radio USB cable, then you'll be fine. But if your trying to get a USB port dedicated to just charge your devices, then your gonna need a 5v regulator of some sort. I'd crack open a car charger and use whats inside that personally.

 

[tpmeredith 10+ year member]

Whoa now, be careful! USB is not 12 volts like our cars are, USB is 5 volts....and usually regulated for cellphones and iPods and such.
If your just extending from a radio USB cable, then you'll be fine. But if your trying to get a USB port dedicated to just charge your devices, then your gonna need a 5v regulator of some sort. I'd crack open a car charger and use whats inside that personally.

Good point, didnt even think of that lol

 

[MONSONwarrior Premium Member]

I bought a 7805 regulator with the usb so that it will bring it down to 5v. Everything should be here by my next day off work (next saturday) so I can get some work done and get it all taken care of. Thanks for the input guys.

 

[CJL 10+ year member]

post pics,would love to see it

 

[MONSONwarrior Premium Member]

post pics,would love to see it

it will more than likely look pretty ghetto, I don't put much effort into making things look nice when it'll be hidden. But yeah, I can do that, I'm putting in my stinger meter at the same time.

 

[CJL 10+ year member]

COol.

I was reading about people using a 100uf cap i beleive in this type of project and that the data inputs needs to hooked up to the 5v line with a resistor for usb 2.0 devices.

I Will do more reading.