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Add usb charging ports

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Accessories and Modifications' started by Huan, Jul 6, 2013.

  1. Huan

    Huan New Member

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    I have recently added two usb ports on my new Prius 2013. Here are some pictures.

    first, take out the plate. the trick is to insert a plastic card into the bottom seam and pry.

    then I found a old USB bracket for computer. there were two mounting screws. drill holes using the metal USB bracket as template.

    I got a DC-DC LM2596 converter from eBay, ~$2. solder the usb wire (red to positive, black to negative/ground) to the output pads of the converter. then solder two wires to connect to the 12V adapter. I use solder the negative/ground to the outside shell of the adapter. Then adjust the voltage to 5.1V.

    It works fine. the things need improving are my Dremel skills, it should look better. The wire on USB bracket has very small gauge, maybe less than #22. If you can find one with larger gauge, it will supply better current for charging. LM-2596 supports up to 2A without heat sink.
     

    Attached Files:

    #1 Huan, Jul 6, 2013
    szgabor, genetiix and WE0H like this.
  2. came_to_party

    came_to_party Junior Member

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    Nice job!
     
    #2 came_to_party, Jul 6, 2013
  3. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    Why not just get an adapter that plugs into the power port? Some even have a usb port on them.
     
    #3 xliderider, Jul 6, 2013
  4. attyjeff

    attyjeff Member

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    Good job. You have me thinking now
     
    #4 attyjeff, Jul 6, 2013
  5. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    #5 xliderider, Jul 6, 2013
  6. U2NVME64

    U2NVME64 Junior Member

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    Impressive work! Change to black screws and you can do mine ;)
     
    #6 U2NVME64, Jul 6, 2013
  7. RRxing

    RRxing Senior Member

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    I just plugged one of these in...

    belkin.PNG
     
    #7 RRxing, Jul 6, 2013
  8. frodoz737

    frodoz737 Top Wrench

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    Same idea, just different location and purpose. For charging I use a lighter plug adapter like above.
     

    Attached Files:

    #8 frodoz737, Jul 6, 2013
  9. WE0H

    WE0H Senior Member

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    I like the option of having a high current USB port to charge a smart phone and leave the accessory jack for the GPS or fridge or inverter for the wife's laptop :)

    Mike
     
    #9 WE0H, Jul 6, 2013
    Huan likes this.
  10. ucsmfu

    ucsmfu Senior Member

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    #10 ucsmfu, Jul 7, 2013
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  11. Huan

    Huan New Member

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    Why not just use a 12V adapter?
    The reason is just to save the 12V port to GPS or another phone...
    Most cheap adapter cannot support the current they claim they can do, like 1A. They generate a lot of heat under load as their efficiency is low. LM-2596 is a switch-type DC-DC converter, >85% efficiency, with over-current, over-heat, short-circuit protection.
    Another reason is my HP touchpad need 5.1V to be charged.
     
    #11 Huan, Jul 7, 2013
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  12. gliderman

    gliderman Active Member

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    I installed a USB port in the same place and using the same Buck Converter as Huan. But I had to built it to Apple specs.

    I hate Apple, but I love my son, and he likes Apple.

    So I got tired of all the power requirements for phones, gps, etc. So I gave my son his own 2A USB port built to Apple specifications. It was actually fairly easy.

    Since Apple has to be different it has a power checking circuit built in to its devices. The circuit uses the D+ and D- pins in the USB connector. It detects 2.8v on D- and 2v on D+ to get 1A charge. Or 2.8v on D+ and 2v on D- to get 2A charge. Anything different will only give the device 500mA charge. So I wired it with a voltage divider to get 2A charge.

    I hate Apple. The whole thing, DC-DC Buck Converter and resistors cost less than $6, usb female panel connector $6, and three Apple 5 clone USB power cables cost $9, totaling $21 worth of parts off ebay, delivered.

    Apple sucks!

    DC-DC Buck Converter is the circuit board in the center with the blue voltage trimmer. The voltage divider made of four resistors is on the far right at the end of the black cable. USB port on left, 12v power supply next to it, and the black rectangular connector on the right are my seat warmer switches.

    IMAG0506.jpg
     
    #12 gliderman, Oct 10, 2013
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  13. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    Nice work Gliderman. (y)

    Yes, Apple sucks. I hate them too. :D

    How about posting a schematic of the circuit and a parts list? ;)

    SCH-I535
     
    #13 xliderider, Oct 10, 2013
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  14. mrbigh

    mrbigh Prius Absolutum Dominium

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    can you post the divider network diagram and values, please?
     
    #14 mrbigh, Oct 10, 2013
  15. gliderman

    gliderman Active Member

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    Here is a diagram of the USB charger and parts list:

    Female USB Panel connector
    51k Resistor x2
    75k Resistor
    43k Resistor
    DC-DC Buck Converter trimmed to 5.2V

    Standard USB Charger is on left. APPLE spec USB Charger is on right.

    usb pinout for iphone.jpg
     
    #15 gliderman, Oct 10, 2013
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  16. mrbigh

    mrbigh Prius Absolutum Dominium

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    Thank U!!!
     
    #16 mrbigh, Oct 10, 2013
  17. BreitrthnU

    BreitrthnU Can you smell the premix?

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    Heres two more cleaner options.


    Not necessarily the cheapest options though.
     
    #17 BreitrthnU, Oct 10, 2013
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  18. gliderman

    gliderman Active Member

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    Thanks for the link.

    Those are audio ports. I just wanted a charging port.

    They must be coming from Japan with those shipping prices. Otherwise shipping is a big ripoff.
     
    #18 gliderman, Oct 10, 2013
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