TPAM Mount USB Power Upgrade - More Power and Proper Charging!

Time for a TPAM mount power upgrade.

I absolutely love my TPAM mount but it came with a cheap low power USB charger that won't charge my Garmin Montana and charges my phone very slowly. This is really my only complaint with the TPAM...time to fix it. I'll swap the original unit out with a Blue Sea 4.8A unit (2.4A per channel) that will be better suited to charge the Montana, Tablets etc. NOTE: Jeff from ExpeditionEssentials saw my post and may start offering the Blue Sea chargers with the TPAM when you order....Nice!

First removed the TPAM from the truck. Here you can see the low power charger I'll be replacing. It's quickly removed from the mount.






Now a little back story on my install: I originally planned on using a Blue Sea 4.8A round charger that I already had on hand, Just like the ones I installed in the camper. I figured I would file some notches in the TPAM mount to allow use of the round charger in the factory square cutout, I would then fabricate a cover plate to cover any gaps on the sides of the charger. Filing the notches and installing the round charger went to plan but I failed to notice the charger was to long and would hit the dash when trying to install the unit back onto the truck......Time for Plan B. I ordered a square Blue Sea 1039 charger which is a direct replacement (should have just started with this unit) and fabricated a small aluminum cover plate to cover up the half round notches I had previously filed into the TPAM, if I hadn't done that it would have been a 5 minute plug and play job! Oh Well...what I get for not thinking things all the way through

The notches I cut in for the round charger.




Here's the square Blue Sea charger next to the original unit.






Time to fabricate a cover plate to hide the half round notches I filed into the TPAM mount. A small chunk of aluminum will do nicely.






And painted a matching textured black.




New charger installed in the TPAM mount. I need to trim the rubber gasket on the back of the charger a bit so it doesn't stick out past my cover plate.









This charger is also slightly longer than the original unit, to give a little extra clearance between the electrical connections and the dash I bent the tabs upward on the back of the charger.




And all mounted back up. My Montana is now happily charging . Overall a quick and easy upgrade (If you don't try and make it fit a round charger lol).



Hodakaguy

 

Hey, I was wondering how to do you wire the usb port? Where does the wires connect to and from?

 

Just got my TPAM from brown santa today, I ordered mine with the upgraded blue seas 4.8amp charger from ExE. Not sure if they offered that when you bought it or if they are now offering it because of your upgrade but I look forward to using your write ups to install mine.

 

I too am curious about this.

 

Check my build thread (in signature), we used the supplied taps and connected it to the wires of the 12V socket in the dash. It is easier if you also remove the lower (heating controls) dash as well, makes it easier to reach. It is a tight fit. There are pictures in my build thread where I wrote up the install.

 

This thing was a bitch to install. Hope I everything is secure down there!

 

Yeah i was elbow deep in my center console for awhile last night. So glad you had a different guide! I ended up pulling the AC controls like you did, made the job WAY easier!
The instructions that they shipped with the TPAM aren't the clearest on a couple parts. Thought i lost a couple washers, still don't remember exactly how many there were but it's all installed and looks awesome!

 

Awesome! Glad I could help

 

Only thing missing is a direct link to the part!!

 

I have the TPAM, I meant the Blue Sea USB ports.

I found it on Amazing Blue Sea 1035!

 

Oh my bad, i thought you meant the whole kit and caboodle

 

Where'd did y'all get your screws for the mounts?

 

I used 10-32 i believe, ace hardware

 

Are the threads universal on those sizes?

 

Just kidding I was just educated

 

Same for me. Ace Hardware. Lowe's was a bust.
Although, i was initially thrown off as the threads on the TPAM seemed smaller than 10/32. They aren't, you just have to screw in a little harder is all.

 

I have 4 spare 10/32 socket screws I'd give you if you're nearby

 

I'm in Houston???

 

Yeah, was trying to be polite
Local hardware shop and you're all set though! Don't forget you'll need 4 screws total for one mount setup, based on 2 Ram ball mounts. I made a couple trips...

 

I got the Hondo perfect squeeze so it came with screws for the ball on it