Added USB charger for backseat passengers

I decided to add a simple USB charge port to the rear of the center console for use from the backseat. It got annoying having to had a cord back anytime someone needs it and using the front power when I may have needed it.

The charger came from Amazon, it's nothing fancy. Just two ports with a voltmeter. If it were going up front I would have tried to find a true Toyota style, possibly with quickcharge. The backseat is out of sight, out of mind... This is good enough for me

$13 MICTUNING Dual USB Charger Socket 2.1A & 2.1A Power Outlet with Digital Voltmeter Blue LED Light 12-24V for Car Boat Marine Mobile

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B01M4OKBSB/ref=oh_aui_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Install went better than I expected. The center console comes apart pretty quick/easy. The front part pops off and the rear section with the cubby has two 10mm bolts in the bottom. Once apart, I laid out the hole just under the cup holders and popped the charger in.

While I initially planned to run wires up to the fuse panel, I discovered the factory power outlet in the cubby has some slack in its wires. I chose to splice into power there to save some effort and don't anticipate overloading that circuit/fuse.

 

Pretty smart. Congrats. What happens if you use the front and rear at the same time? Are they connected?

 

makes sense if your are not using the factory one that you wont overload it with a couple USB chargers. i'll follow this, post up if you have any issues with blowing fuses please!

 

I use the wireless pad up front 90% of the time but in the rare event that I need that power from the console, I did try it in the name of science. Using both at the same time worked just fine, charging two phones.

Each phone draws roughly 2.1 amps at 5v, which translates to about 5 amps at 12v. I believe that circuit has a 15 amp fuse on it so technically three phones at the same time would be cutting it close. I don't plan to ever have 3 on that circuit since the front power is on a separate 15 amp fuse and it's more convenient for people riding up front.

 

Why not just run an extension from the stock port in the cubby, 12" to the rear of the console?

 

That would be a viable alternative. This way, the stock power is still available if needed simultaneously. For my particular use, I wouldn't be a fan of extra cable running through the compartment under/over the divider. Although one could probably cut a notch in the bottom of it to go that route.

Here's the divider I use:

$14 Vehicle OCD - Center Console Organizer for Toyota Tacoma (2016-2023) - Made in USA

https://www.amazon.com/d/Center-Consoles/Vehicle-OCD-Console-Organizer-2016-2019/B016ZB4VZC

 

"Each phone draws roughly 2.1 amps at 5v, which translates to about 5 amps at 12v"

actually, not to be the annoying know it all but amperage and voltage are inverse of eachother so if you double the voltage the amps are cut in half...at least in AC, DC theory may be different but doubt it.

very cool mod btw. should have came like that.

 

Should be 0.875a at 12v. W = V*A and its gonna pull the same wattage regardless, so 5v * 2.1a = 12v * X. X = .875a

 

This was probably the best quality of life mod I did to my truck. I added a double USB and single 12v socket for my backseat passengers, ran power directly from the battery and through a switch on the dash so I could leave it on to charge a phone or something with the keys out of the truck.

 

I love that you could see who the electricians are that darn ohms law!!

Either way love the idea I’m gonna be doing it ASAP

 

Do you happen to have a link to that plug? I would like to do something similar for my flashlight. Did you just use a plain rocker switch with a fused hot wire?

 

I am about to install this one.... Mainly wanted the Volt meter..! But it will replace the "blank" switch in the lower dash....

$14 MICTUNING 2.1A Dual USB Charger Power Socket with Digital Voltmeter Blue LED Light for Smartphone iPhone iPad PDA Laptop GPS Replacement for Toyota

https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B077P7GYG6/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

Nice. I did the 400W anytime mod with usb and AC in case I need to use the electric chop saw in the back.

 

Here you go:

Ginsco Cigarette Lighter Socket Splitter 12V Dual USB 2.1A/1A Charger Power Adapter Outlet for Car Boat Marine Motorcycle Scooter RV DIY Kit (Black)

https://www.amazon.com/Ginsco-Cigar...=usb+and+12v&qid=1553139234&s=gateway&sr=8-21

OEM style switch:



Powered from aux fuse panel under the hood:

 

My dealer or distributor installed something similar and added like $100 to the vehicle price. When I performed the mod to make the console 12v socket "always on" it updated all my 12v outlets including the passenger. I suppose they are all tapped from main source.

 

This is a great idea. Nice write up.