USB Power BEHIND Dash

Can anyone recommend a usb charging port I can wire behind the dash? I am looking to run the cable for my phone charger behind the dash, but I do not want to plug it into the factory one.

 

The factory one is garbage...used it once and it just keep the phone charged but didnt actually charge it. Long term project to swap that port out myself.

 

Two options I have: one is the bluesea charger on the 3tpam and that charges really fast. The other one I got was off of Amazon that charges at a decent rate but not super fast. The Amazon one I like because I have the digital gauge on it.
Both of them I have tapped right off of the cigarette lighter.

 

Not trying to toot my own horn but there's a write-up of how I added a charging solution behind my dash in my build thread.

 

I'm lazy...link?

 

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Hi, lazy. My build thread link is unceremoniously located in my signature. But here's the specific post you're looking for: https://www.tacomaworld.com/posts/20432418

 

CAG Gonzo's Tacoma of Fire Build and generally specific BS

 

Appreciate it. I don't see signatures on my phone

 

Didn't know mobile didn't show them. Makes sense why you seek the link.

 

Turn phone sideways

 

Or go inverted. Do a barrel roll!

 

Ahhh...that works.

 

Someone didn't read their manuals...The factory USB port is a data port for your headunit, not a high amp charging port. Don’t get rid of it, put a mini USB stick in it with all your music tunes and enjoy. You can also use it to load fun startup pictures on your headunit.

 

Which plug is that? I like it

 

Someone is inferring a lot. You do know there is a FACTORY power port right? Some people refer to it as a cigarette lighter...in the old days, it would have been. But thank you so much for your input. It was totally useless.

 

You asked “can anyone recommend a usb charging port”...”I do not want to plug it into the factory one” so yes, I answered accordingly reading that you were trying to plug into the factory usb port.

Even the other poster I quoted thought that, and it’s obvious he didn’t know what it was for and even said it was junk and he wanted to replace it.

I modded several different types of USB charging ports in mine, even one for overhead USB for my dashcam and wrote about how to do it here. You could use something like it behind the dashboard also:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/overhead-cluster-12v-ignition-switched-power-pin-outs.512640/

 

OP: this stuff can be confusing and not all of us went to MIT nor own a multi meter.

I sense you want a more permanent but hidden port that is 1 amp for a phone or perhaps 2 amp for a tablet.
I also sense you don’t want to use either of the power ports.
You are correct the data port is low power and less effective for actual charging.

Several options:
Use a fuse tap to pull power from either of the two fuse blocks...significant threads on this if you search “fuse tap”.

Use a wire tap on the power port in your dash or in the console. Access to dash port is tight but if you pull the head (radio) you can reach it cumbersomely. The console port is easier to access, again search on how to pull console apart with your bare hands.

Draw off both wires to a port you get at a plug at an auto parts store. Be sure to tape it all up well and find a spot to mount the plug to the frame.

 

This what I am looking for, you are correct. Ideally I would like to use a fuse tap. I think this is the best option for me. I guess my biggest question here is do I wire a USB connector to the fuse tap or do I cut the end of a USB cable and wire it directly?

 

I have two plugs but if I'm thinking right I think you're inferring to the one that has the digital gauge on it. If I remember right that was made by mictuning and is only like $15.