Adding USB power supply

JoeySully

Hi

i have an unusual query - just wondering if anyone has fitted a USB power supply to their car.
USB works at somewhere between 4.5 - 5.5 V.
Cars run at 12 volt. So i need something that will bring down the 12V down to 5V. i would like to fit it next to the gearstick where there are little tabs for unused buttons. its right next to the cigarette lighter so that's my power source.
what could i use to change the power down?
Computers supply 12V as far as i know. so i was thinking maybe the front ports of a dell PC would work - the USB ports are attached to a circuit that also controls the powering on of the PC.
i want to keep it small and tidy.

i could get one of these off ebay also and just remove the usb part.


any ideas?

Owen

Why don't you just use one of these?

JoeySully

yeah that could work.

i really dont want anything sticking out of the cigarette lighter but c coud wire that up and get cable extension from it to one of the tabs here where i dont have any buttons

Owen

Leave it with me until tomorrow, I have a magazine somewhere at home which has the same usb charger, but it's in a tiny form factor that shouldn't be any bigger that the cigarette lighter itself. I'll find the Magazine tonight and post the details.

JoeySully

ned78 wrote: »

Leave it with me until tomorrow, I have a magazine somewhere at home which has the same usb charger, but it's in a tiny form factor that shouldn't be any bigger that the cigarette lighter itself. I'll find the Magazine tonight and post the details.

cool thanks NED

rebel.ranter

ned78 wrote: »

Leave it with me until tomorrow, I have a magazine somewhere at home which has the same usb charger, but it's in a tiny form factor that shouldn't be any bigger that the cigarette lighter itself. I'll find the Magazine tonight and post the details.

This month's BMW Car Magazine? I think I saw it too.

Owen

rebel.ranter wrote: »

This month's BMW Car Magazine? I think I saw it too.

lol, same publishers. Modern MINI Magazine ... they obviously subscribe to lazy bastards who share content monthly too.

Owen

Found it, it's called the Motormonkey, and despite the webpage not giving too much information, it's a tiny USB charger about the size of a normal cigarette lighter. It's 20 pounds retail.

https://powertraveller.com/iwantsome/primatepower/000193/

rebel.ranter

Hi, I finally dug out the article. Just thought I would stick it up here.

Owen

Also, Belkin are planning to release an even smaller version in may. Link :

http://i.gizmodo.com/5220668/i-would-not-be-ashamed-to-have-belkins-micro-auto-charger-in-my-car