USB ports in cars

Yaw · 11-07-2015, 12:21 AM

I've had a thought and want to know if anyone can think of a car that has a USB port on the roof in either a console or near the rear view mirror.

I Googled this:
https://www.google.com.au/search?q=c...w=1440&bih=735

But cannot see any with a port near the roof of the car near the rear View Mirror.

Why do they not do this?

Seriously it would make a lot of sense. Saves wires hanging down for dash cams & sat nav units.

Jehu_McSpooran · 11-07-2015, 12:44 AM

I totally agree. It would be great for power for crash cams.

If you want to fit one yourself, there is a guide in this months Silicon Chip magazine. I didn't bother buying it but it might have some good ideas on wiring and placement.

MITCHAY · 11-07-2015, 01:02 AM

USBs are primarily used as a media device at the moment so most are in the glovebox or centre console where they are out of sight.

I think it is more likely to see an inbuilt crash cam as standard or an option before they start putting USB ports in the roof IMO.

Adamz Ghia · 11-07-2015, 01:44 AM

Fully agree. Or as was already said, a factory installed, fully integrated dash cam system, both front and rear of the car.

SumoDog68 · 11-07-2015, 01:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yaw

I've had a thought and want to know if anyone can think of a car that has a USB port on the roof in either a console or near the rear view mirror.

I Googled this:
https://www.google.com.au/search?q=c...w=1440&bih=735

But cannot see any with a port near the roof of the car near the rear View Mirror.

Why do they not do this?

Seriously it would make a lot of sense. Saves wires hanging down for dash cams & sat nav units.

USB runs 5 V and transfers data - dash cams and sat nav units are powered by 12 V or 24V and don't need data transfer as they are self contained units.(they do use memory cards to store data but no need to transfer that to the car ).

Jehu_McSpooran · 11-07-2015, 02:25 AM

Most aftermarket dash cams and sat navs are powered over USB with a 12v - 5v converter in a cigarette lighter plug.

**aussiblue** · 11-07-2015, 02:29 AM

There a project in this month's edition of Silicon Chip magazine to build one fed by the feed to the interior light.

Binny · 11-07-2015, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yaw

I've had a thought and want to know if anyone can think of a car that has a USB port on the roof in either a console or near the rear view mirror.

I Googled this:
https://www.google.com.au/search?q=c...w=1440&bih=735

But cannot see any with a port near the roof of the car near the rear View Mirror.

Why do they not do this?

Seriously it would make a lot of sense. Saves wires hanging down for dash cams & sat nav units.

Probably because mounting your satnav in the middle of the windscreen is illegal because it obstructs vision. Not that most people seem to care.

zilo · 11-07-2015, 10:35 AM

cheaper to buy a $5 usb converter and hack it open then hard wire it to the dome light power.

Olbucko · 11-07-2015, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zilo

cheaper to buy a $5 usb converter and hack it open then hard wire it to the dome light power.

Or run a wire under the dashboard, up behind the cover on the windscreen pillar, then under the roof lining, and bring it out near the rear vision mirror.

The USB lead supplied with my Navman dashcam was more than long enough to do this.

pcman · 12-07-2015, 07:39 PM

i brought a few of these and have wired them into multiple cars for gps and crash cams, they work awesome

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Mini-USB-...item2ec9562ee1

noddy383 · 13-07-2015, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zilo

cheaper to buy a $5 usb converter and hack it open then hard wire it to the dome light power.

I had a spare cigarette lighter socket USB charger, pulled it open and wired it into the cigarette lighter to make a subtle iPhone charger. It works a treat.

http://www.fordforums.com.au/showthread.php?t=11432883
And despite the nay-sayers, it's still going strong.

All you'd need to do it find a source of power that's on at the right times (i.e. accessory power would probably be fine) in a suitable location. I reckon the A-pillar would be ideal as it's easy to get to and there's probably enough room to tuck the little circuit board away to retain the factory look.

Now I think about it, if you've got the factory map lights, they'd work fine for power and you could hide everything under the headliner.

**aussiblue** · 13-07-2015, 08:40 PM

There is also this http://www.altronics.com.au/p/p0668-...arging-socket/

and this:
http://www.altronics.com.au/p/p0676-...ith-usb-panel/

**aussiblue** · 13-07-2015, 09:22 PM