Adding USB charger outlet

[njmr2fan]

Id like to add a USB charging port through the bottom of the dash. Does anyone know of one that would mount and look OEM. Appreciate any help.

 

[justason]

I was eying this at one point: http://www.amazon.com/2-1A-Charger-...d=1436185982&sr=8-3&keywords=usb+outlet,+dash

in the end I went with a standard outlet, and plugged in the typical USB plugs you can find anywhere, allowing me dual use.......makes cause for a 2nd part however.....

http://www.amazon.com/niceeshop-Wat...TF8&qid=1436186137&sr=8-6&keywords=12v+outlet

 

[tdonoughue]

I replaced the stock one with the Blue Sea one, because the USB is all that I use there and I wanted the 2 outlets: http://www.amazon.com/Blue-Sea-Syst...pebp=1436493642364&perid=0375ACK6B0Z85XF3HEQ4

The black piece around the unit is removable, so optional. With that gone, it was a direct swap for the existing. Then I am going to put the existing somewhere else... Just haven't decided where yet. Probably on the starboard side.

 

[Glassman]

I added this one on the driver's side:



Astra Depot Boat Marine Carvans 12V Waterproof Power Outlet Cigarette Lighter Socket 2.1A Dual USB Charger Panel Flush Mount For Benelli Aprilia KTM BMW
Astra Depot
$11.59

the USB charger is removable so you can use other types of chargers

 

[Bruce]

I also replaced the dash 12 volt outlet with the Blue Seas dual USB version. I tried USB adapters but was going through one per year. Salt water seems to be harsh on them.

 

[njmr2fan]

@Bruce can you install it without the plate? I'd rather just have the circle. Wanted to put it under the wake mode toggle.

 

[Bruce]

@Bruce can you install it without the plate? I'd rather just have the circle. Wanted to put it under the wake mode toggle.

The plate scared me off the first few times I looked at it. The plate is optional and it is a well made power supply. The plate is a separate piece. It took perhaps 5 minutes to swap with the factory 12 volt outlet. I have another 12 volt outlet in a switch panel.

 

[mgabsa]

All of the above are great. Just make sure you put an inline fuse on it.

I put one of these USB chargers in the glove box on the port side. Out of site and serves its purpose.

 

[njmr2fan]

I think Id like to add the USB outlet to the underside of the dash between the steering wheel and the throttle (I tend to keep my phone on a sticky pad up in front of the throttle) Can I just look for a 12V wire to tap into or should this be a dedicated wire?

 

[DBamaC]

I think Id like to add the USB outlet to the underside of the dash between the steering wheel and the throttle (I tend to keep my phone on a sticky pad up in front of the throttle) Can I just look for a 12V wire to tap into or should this be a dedicated wire?

I have the same question. I'm guessing we'll need to take wiring back to the battery, but why guess when I'm certain someone genre has already done this.

 

[Ronnie]

I added an additional 12v port to the rear cockpit for the pump used to inflate tubes and put a dual USB port near the combing box next to the co-pilots seat. Both have dedicated power from the house switch through leads I ran into distribution blocks under the lounger and helm. So I also run a blue tooth adapter on the copilots side and hard wired the power for the garmin depth / fish finder to the helm side. It was Extra work to lead dedicated power to distribution blocks but made adding extra devices like the amps much easier. From everything I have read it is the right way to do it and makes trouble shooting electrical issues easier.

 

[njmr2fan]

Do you have a photo of said distribution box?

 

[tdonoughue]

The true answer requires some computation.

A table of the wire's capacity for a 12v system is here: http://www.offroaders.com/tech/12-volt-wire-gauge-amps.htm (lots of similar ones on the web). Then you need to take all of the draws for all of the items on the circuit and add them up. A USB charger is pretty small on the amps. You need to check the specs, but if it is more than an amp or 3 I would be surprised. The normal cigarette lighter is generally rated for 10 amps. Anyway, add those all up and compare it to the wire size, estimating the distance. Then you will know how much more room you have on the circuit for additions before you need to run a new wire.

 

[jetboater4life]

From the members tips section, here is a good read on wire sizing.
https://jetboaters.net/threads/calculating-the-correct-wire-awg-for-any-given-device.1881/

 

[Ronnie]

Do you have a photo of said distribution box?

No pics readily available but here is a link to pics of a few. Correction, it's a bus bar NOT distribution block.

 

[Glassman]

I get some cool info from Professional Boatbuilder, thought I'd pass it along:


V-Charger
Dual USB 2.0 Control


Carling Technologies Dual Port USB V-Charger is designed to charge tablets, e-readers, mobile and gaming devices, digital cameras, as well as other compatible electronic devices.


Product Highlights

• 3.15 Amps for Faster Charging
• 10,000 Operating Cycles per Port
• 12-24V Operating Voltage
• Protection for Internal Components

Learn More

 

[betterwhenitswetter]

Thanks for sharing, that is a new twist on USB options and Carling switches is what Yamaha used on my AR.

 

[jetboater4life]

Where would you buy one of these carling usb adapters?