DIY USB and 110V - Smart Car of America Forums : Smart Car Forum

cubefx · 07-18-2008, 08:03 PM

Hey,

Here is DIY for USB ports and 110V outlet.

I have bunch of gadgets with USB chargers and also sometimes I have my notebook with me. I know that I could use plain inverter, but I wanted something permanent.

I bought two 1ft USB panel mounted cables from DATAPRO website:

USB Panel-Mount Type A Cable -- DataPro

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Here is my original USB panel with two USB ports, AUX IN and status LED.

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After it was done I decided that I did not like it.

Here is USB panel 2.0

I made it myself. I did have Project Enclosure (which comes with aluminum plate) laying around in the garage. You can buy it from your local Radio Shack for around $4,

http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...ductId=2062281

or you can use any aluminum plate.
I used measurements from DataPro Website and used dremel and small files to cut holes out.

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To be continued

Kermit · 07-18-2008, 08:15 PM

Can't wait for the 110V outlet. I have a 110V inverter somewhere - need to find it. Misplaced it when I had my Matrix - FACTORY 110V outlet!! Used to run a laptop a lot before these micro GPS's became all the rage.

cubefx · 07-18-2008, 08:17 PM

110V outlet I used is from 2006 Toyota Matrix. You can get it from your local Toyota dealer or if you lucky you can find it at your local junk yard.

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Outlet was disassembled and 1ft cable with plug from my old soldering iron was soldered to the contacts.

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I fabricated back plate so outlet will not wobble, it is just snapped from the back of the glove box ( I know it is not pretty, but outlet is sitting rock solid ).

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To be continued...

**jwight** · 07-18-2008, 08:27 PM

Cube, great stuff - thanks! Now we need the "back" story, as in what are those short usb cables connected to and what's powering the 110v outlet?

cubefx · 07-18-2008, 08:42 PM

I bought 150W inverter with USB port from Discount Auto Parts for about $20. What I liked about it is that it have fan and it will automatically shut off if battery voltage drops to 10.5V.

It was disassembled and wired for external switch and status light. It is sounds more complicated then it is. All you need is disconnect wires from internal switch and status light and extend them outside.

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I used 10 gage wires to connect it directly to the battery.
Depending on how big is your inverter and how far you will run the wires, you might need to use different cable size.

Here is link for the reference:

Recommended Power and Ground Cable Sizes

15A fuse installed. (ALWAYS USE FUSE!). Install fuse as close as possible to the battery.

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Here is positive wire connection point:

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Here is ground connection point:

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Secure Inverter with zip ties under the glove box.

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And the last step connect USB and AC cable to the inverter tuck all the wires ( I used black duct tape to secure wires to the firewall ) and you done.

P.S. In my case, one of the USB ports connected directly to the back of my Pioneer headunit (which have USB port in the back for IPod controls).

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If anyone have any questions, please feel free to ask.

CUBE

letsgoskatepool · 07-18-2008, 08:59 PM

I have a question... how much to get this treatment done to my smart

I am electrically challenged

cubefx · 07-19-2008, 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by letsgoskatepool

I have a question... how much to get this treatment done to my smart

I am electrically challenged

Hey,
Personally I will not have the guts to drill somebody else car. My car, I don`t care. If I mess it up, it is my problem.
You will definitely will need somebody with good soldering skills. You don`t want your inverter to short and catch on fire (actually if everything wired corrected this should not happen, because your fuse will blow). Anyone with basic understanding how electricity works will be able to wire the inverter.

Most challenging task was to figure out how to mount 110V outlet without using glue or epoxy. You can always use socket FROM INVERTER (some inverters have AC outlets that you can just pop out), but I decided to use one from Toyota.

If you have any questions just PM me or post it here.

CUBE