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Zeon

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#136760 8-Dec-2013 00:46
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Hey guys,
So I currently have a phone, GPS and front facing recording camera in my car so 3x USB. Cables go everywhere!

I would like to install a female USB mount that plugs directly into the battery (or at least goes to a single place should I ever want to install a computer in the car). I have never seen anything like this. Ideally I want to install one on the front right pillar for the phone and two on the roof next to the mirror for the GPS and camera. Possibly one in the back window should I get a rear facing camera too.

Anyone have suggestions on where I should begin looking and will I have to pull the dash off to run cables?

Car is a Mazda Axela 2005




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Fred99
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  #947425 8-Dec-2013 12:53
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This kind of thing?
http://www.amazon.com/Poly-Planar-USB-PM-Panel-Mount-Charge/dp/B00EDJAMKW
I haven't seen them for sale in NZ - had a quick look at Jaycar, but nothing. Perhaps someone's selling something similar on TradeMe.
If you wanted to DIY, then I'm sure Jaycar and others will sell USB surface-mount sockets and components needed for 5V regulated supply per USB, but it would be a lot of mucking around and not easy to get a result that looks good. Otherwise "butcher" several 12V -> USB plug-in adapters to get them surface mounted on a panel, remove what you can of the cigarette lighter plugs at the back, solder wires to them, and don't forget to put them on a fused circuit and/or throw a fuse in-line.



richms
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  #947576 8-Dec-2013 18:00
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there are in line 12 volt to 5 volt adaptors available on ebay for cheap.

So you don't have excess cable I would just conceal a usb cable around the trim of the car.




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Zeon

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  #952251 14-Dec-2013 18:22
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Yea I guess but maybe more like this:

That way I can mount the base to the roof to run cables into GPS and video camera. I'll probably run the cable around the trim as suggested. Should I get a transformer for 12v to 5v and put that somewhere behind the dash then run the aforementioned cables? What should I plug into as the power source?




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richms
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  #952259 14-Dec-2013 18:52
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I grabbed the accessory line off the back of the car stereo for the one that runs to the phone holder by the wing mirror, and for the one running to the center console I got it off the permanantly on 12v for the stereo since I want to be able to leave stuff in there charging while I am in shopping etc.

This looks to be the same as the ones I got - http://search.ebay.com/290952192494

Minimal standby load (my meter doesnt do low current very well, was flicking between 0 and .02 amps with no load) so I am not worried about leaving it on all the time. If I go away for a while I might disconnect it.




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