USB Charging Port Install

I've been looking at installing a USB port into one of the knockout plugs below the HVAC control knobs. I know this has been discussed a couple times but I was wondering if anyone had found a decent plug that doesn't have LED lights. I'm going to wire it so it is always on and I'm not liking the idea of there always being LED lights on in the truck. Or maybe I'm just over thinking it and I shouldn't worry about two small LEDs draining the battery. I don't drive the truck much during the week since I have a work vehicle.

This is what I've been looking at getting:

$20 Cllena Dual USB Port Charger Socket Quick Charge 3.0 & 2.4A for Toyota

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07FD2Z6GF?th=1

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1650441314...dm04PYG2GY_T-2NXItK2hoPpyRFVQDLxoCKpsQAvD_BwE

 

They both wire up the same
The one on flea bay is a 3 amp
One on Amazon is only 2.4 amp

 

I saw that, wasn’t sure about the one on fleabay since there aren’t any reviews. The question is more should I be concerned about the LED lights draining the battery if it is wired always on. I usually only use the truck on the weekends. I was recently on a week long hunting trip and it was a pain to have to have the truck on to use the cigarette plug.

 

I have a alarm system in my truck flashes blue light all the time
I have a USB cig lighter plug in and that illuminates red all the time
I have no issues. And you should not have any
Led will not draw hardly nothing

 

Thanks. I figured I was overthinking it but I couldn’t find any plugs that didn’t have LEDs in them. I appreciate it.

 

I have one identical to that. The LEDs annoy the heck out of me because they are bright and poorly aimed, but my port only comes on with everything else that is wired to the accessory circuit.

If you're feeling bold, you could open it up and see about de-soldering the SMD LEDs... Or wire the port in line with a toggle switch, that way you could have power when you want it with the truck off but it wouldn't drain the battery.

 

Now you’re just getting crazy. You’ve go the same one as fleabay? Maybe a strategically placed dot of black paint will solve the issue on that one.

 

I'm an overachiever. Fingernail polish might work better. Good luck to you!

 

I have that Amazon one, and it works fine but the light is annoying at night. You'll want to doctor it up a bit with hot glue or something--the innards came loose and pushed out the rear, and getting it removed to repair was a PITA.

I wasn't brave enough to wire it up always-on.

 

This thread may give you some good ideas, lots of different options as to what others used.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/3rd-gen-ac-outlet-in-cab-and-400w-anytime.505598/

I assume it’d be pretty similar between 2nd and 3rd gen although not in the same location you’re thinking about.

 

I’ve had an always on USB port with leds for 3 years now, never had an issue beyond being slightly annoyed at the light while driving, has started right up after sitting for a week

 

Looking to make the cigarette lighter/12V plug in the center console an always-hot charger so I can plug stuff in and have it charge without the ignition in the accy position.

Is there any tips or threads I missed using the search function?

 

FWIW, I don’t know if this socket will fit where you want it, but Blue Sea has some good stuff: https://powerwerx.com/blue-sea-1039...MIvp-yquiv9AIVxsDICh3QDAItEAQYBiABEgIn_PD_BwE

 

I'm just here because I like OPs username

 

In the numerous searches I did, I don’t think I ever saw anything about making the cigarette outlet always on. Our end goals are the same with having power to a plug without the ignition on, I just went a different route. I’ll try to remember to update with some photos once I get around to the install. But since deer season starts on Saturday so it might be delayed a bit.

Go Wings!

 

Here's a post showing what the guts of those things look like and how to get them apart if you want to pop the LEDs off:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/how-to-lower-dash-console-dual-usb-dual-data.720871/

The LEDs can be snipped off and the rest of the circuit should work fine. If you want to be sure, clip the head only off the LEDs and jump the legs (still attached to the board) together with a little bit of solder.

 

It looks like (from the tabs on the side of the enclosure) that it can be disassembled and power to the LEDs cut out - but of course, it MIGHT cause the whole thing to not function correctly depending on how the circuit is designed.

 

Finished doing this yesterday. I had some venison summer sausage on the smoker and was canning a batch of sauerkraut at the same time so I only took a few pictures after everything was done.
The only always hot fuse slot I found was for the power door locks, everything else in the cab fuse panel was only on with the ignition. I expected there to be more options but I didn't go under the hood, I didn't want to run this through the firewall.
The red wire in the second picture is from the usb plug. I grounded to the dash bolt under the steering wheel that is covered by a small plastic panel.

 

What route did you take to get the power from the fuse panel to the switch panel where the charger is?

 

You could add an on/off switch to the negative wire. Keep usb off when not in use.