Dual 2.1 amp usb and voltmeter combo (in one cigar lighter sized housing)

[Mainah]

I found this when shopping for an outlet. BlueFire® 4.2A Dual USB Charger Socket Power Outlet 2.1A & 2.1A with Voltmeter www.amazon.com/dp/B01F3I117E/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_c_api_XlgSxbC55P6FY

I had never seen the volmeter built into the same single round housing as two 2.1 amp usb plugs so I got it. Being a connext boat owner with the battery readout issue I connected it to the start battery switch. Very slick unit. The readout is not very bright in the sunlight but still readable and not overpowering at night.

I would post photos but it is raining out right now.

 

[2nazt]

That thing is slick! Thanks for sharing!

Did you verify with a meter for accuracy by chance?

 

[Mainah]

Have not verified with a meter yet. I can say that it had a surface charge reading that dropped down after starting the engines. I will check with a meter the next time I take the cover off (hopefully tomorrow before wakeboarding).

 

[Derek Fosbury]

I have the same one, can verify that it reads accurately and that the ports work well. I drilled a hole in the vertical surface perpendicular to the joystick and mounted it there. Works great for charging my phone

 

[Mainah]

I can confirm what @Derek Fosbury said. Tested 3 different times today at voltages ranging from 12.4 to 14.1 and within 3/100 each time. Given that resoltuion is only in tenths on the gauge and hundreths on my dmm I would say accurate and mathmatically accurate rounding. My hood ornament could care less though.

 

[2nazt]

I showed my wife this and she sounded as concerned as your dog looks. I just tell her we need this or the boat won't run to get what I want....it works thus far.

 

[Bill D]

I just add whatever I want. Eventually the wife finds it and asks if that "was always there?". I of course tell her yes.

Love the hood ornament @Mainah.

 

[Britboater]

Another good find @Mainah and yet another mod to add to my list .

 

[veedubtek]

Pretty sure it's getting to the point where if I want to mod something on my boat, I'm first gonna see if @Mainah has done it yet, and if not, I'm gonna ask him what he'd do. And I have no doubt I'd be happy with whatever he said.

 

[rsg1963]

I ran two of these as well. Work perfectly. I have both mine at the helm though. Did not want to have to look around and waste precious calories. Plus in the light of day they are not the brightest things with the covers on, so I wanted them a bit closer for my old eyes.

 

[VONCE]

Those are cool. They also make a similar one that mounts in a standard rocker switch rectangle hole. I have one on my dash.

 

[Julian]

Wish I'd found these before I bought just plain old dual usb ports! Also love the location where you installed that @Mainah !

 

[rsg1963]

I just add whatever I want. Eventually the wife finds it and asks if that "was always there?". I of course tell her yes.

Love the hood ornament @Mainah.

Holy crap I do the same thing! But she has become wiser and I only get away with it about 50% of the time.

 

[Mainah]

I have started selling my wife by telling her I got HER a gift for the boat. So the usb outlet was for her to charge her phone, the cobra fins and fangs are so she can dock the boat easier, ride steady will be so she can maintain speed when driving during water sports and because she wants to surf, the ballast system is because she wants to surf. She is happy with the stereo upgrades as is so the additional upgrades will have to be so she does not even have to pretend to listen to me

Of course she is not stupid and knows that I want these things too but as long as she can see the benefit to her we are all set.

 

[2nazt]

It would be neat to run one from each battery to have an accurate display of voltage. Maybe power from the battery switch so you can still completely deenrgize the boat.

 

[rsg1963]

It would be neat to run one from each battery to have an accurate display of voltage. Maybe power from the battery switch so you can still completely deenrgize the boat.

I ran my positives from the battery selector, and the grounds directly to the batteries (obviously), that way no parasitic drain and very accurate readings. I also used: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003KPYRJM/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
wire, that allowed me a large enough gauge to limit attenuation, but also a super simple cabling run since it's only one item to fish through the boat instead of 4 loose ones. Put these babies in place of the USB units on the dash (the ones to the left of the joystick). Fit perfectly, no additional cutting.

 

[2nazt]

@rsg1963 I assume each is fused also, I only mention because some people will read it later and may not know to run a fuse on them being directly wired to the battery.

 

[maboat]

Those are cool. They also make a similar one that mounts in a standard rocker switch rectangle hole. I have one on my dash.

https://www.amazon.com/MICTUNING-Universal-Charger-Digital-Voltmeter/dp/B01CU2VSAQ/ref=pd_sbs_263_4?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B01CU2VSAQ&pd_rd_r=P5PQAHWNA4TQWVGE654Q&pd_rd_w=de3au&pd_rd_wg=g1aEu&refRID=P5PQAHWNA4TQWVGE654Q&th=1

 

[rsg1963]

@rsg1963 I assume each is fused also, I only mention because some people will read it later and may not know to run a fuse on them being directly wired to the battery.

Very good point, I forgot how detailed you have to be sometimes. Yes, I have a mini inline 2 amp blade fuse on both + lines. Also ran/gently zip tied the wires along with all the factory looms across the engine compartment to the Starboard side storage area then zip tied neatly behind the dash where moving objects could not affect them.

 

[Chip F.]

Thanks for sharing this. I found a couple other configurations that allow customization.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Auto-Dual-USB-Port-Car-Cigarette-Lighter-Charger-LED-Voltmeter-12V-Power-Socket-/282331859013?hash=item41bc4a4845:g:WZ8AAOSw44BYgV1Y