XC90 USB Ports and 12v Accessory Power Solutions

pauljloz

Covered below are:

- USB socket in Centre Armrest Disk Storage
- Concealed USB socket for GPS/Dashcam
- 12v power to rear mounted UHF ratio (remote Head)
- 30A 12v Accessory Power in rear cargo area

USB socket in Centre Armrest Disk Storage

Source a Dual USB Port Socket Car Cigar Lighter Splitter Charger Power Adapter Outlet (Ebay special is $7 delivered)
Install socket in the location shown.
This spot clears the armrest and ashtray with a few mm to spare. A longer socket assembly would not work.

view from the rear.

To access - the whole assembly is removable (Consult owners manual).

To remove armrest after removing locking screws - slide it forward.

Then remove panel holding cigarette lighter plug. Note tabs on side.

Concealed USB socket for GPS/Dashcam

This can be concealed within the drivers side fuse compartment (as there's a lot of space).

A 12v Cigarette Lighter inline socket is connected to the accessory power fuse (11).
Use a fuse tap (from Jaycar etc) or solder positive tail to the fused side (EXPERIENCED SOLDERERS).
Negative connection to body as shown in the pic below.
Use a dual USB power adaptor and route cables after removing A pillar cover taking care not to foul curtain airbag.

12v power to rear mounted UHF ratio (remote Head)

There is a Fuse block in the Cargo compartment (11E/1-7) with battery feed and vacant high current fuse holders (MIDI/AMI type) on the rear body behind the battery (removal required).
Using a fuse and nut/washer, 12v supply from here can be routed to the rear well on the RHS of the vehicle where radio can be stowed with some foam packing.

Pic below (borrowed from web) shows layout of the Fuse block and 2 spare places.

30A 12v Accessory Power in rear cargo area

Use the same supply as above.
12v supply from here can be routed to the rear well on the LHS of the vehicle (or elsewhere).
Terminate in cabin with 30A Anderson connector (or whatever suits your purpose)
I use this for air compressor supply and a 300W inverter to keep laptop(s) and phones powered for rear seat passengers on longer trips.

(pic to follow)

AshDVS

I think I used the same one. I fitted an LV Focus XR5 console into an LT Focus XR5 which left me with a hole where the push-to-start button should go.
This filled it nicely -

familyman

Nice.

I still have to confirm if the sizes are correct (and find a cheaper seller), but I have this bookmarked - to maybe go in the switch area of a 240 (after cutting off that ugly rubber plug):

http://www.aliexpress.com/item/brand-new-Car-3-1A-Dual-USB-Socket-Charger-Power-Adapter-Blue-LED-For-Phone-PDA/32444040914.html

There's also a wider one...

http://www.aliexpress.com/item-img/100-New-Motorcycle-Car-Charger-12V-3-1A-Dual-USB-Power-Charger-Port-Socket-Plug-Blue/32562674036.html

... which... again, I haven't checked the measurements yet. But one of these two might look good fitted into one of those square pod plates of a 240. (I hate red LEDs, and it goes with my car paint which is blue!)

And... I sometimes use an Android phone in a windscreen holder, as a GPS and speedo. (My speedo is 10km/hr slow.) So am considering wiring something like this up under the dash on the driver's side - instead of running cords from the switch area, up over the dash and under the dash carpet:

http://www.aliexpress.com/item-img/1pc-High-Quality-Car-Charger-DC-Converter-Module-12V-To-5V-3A-15W-with-Micro-USB/32532294182.html

pauljloz

Ash,
great use for unused hole!

I looked at replacing the cigarette lighter outlet with the USB socket. This is possible in the XC90 (xc70/S/V60) but not reversible as the existing socket is custom fit to the heater control panel and receptacle is destroyed when hole enlarged to suit. Cover panel means it would be easy to maintain an neat final finish.

I choose the alternatives above since they keep the interior stock and provide concealed outlets (and allow concealed cable routing). I now have a dash free of all surface cabling and annoying super bright LED's.

PaddlerEd

I've got 2 of those twin USB Carling type sockets in the 4Runner - they're pretty much a standard switch size for 4WD's.

I would keep the dust covers on, as the blue light is quite bright - I got mine from Jaycar for simplicity.

AshDVS

pauljloz;79378 wroteAsh,
great use for unused hole!

I looked at replacing the cigarette lighter outlet with the USB socket. This is possible in the XC90 (xc70/S/V60) but not reversible as the existing socket is custom fit to the heater control panel and receptacle is destroyed when hole enlarged to suit. Cover panel means it would be easy to maintain an neat final finish.

I choose the alternatives above since they keep the interior stock and provide concealed outlets (and allow concealed cable routing). I now have a dash free of all surface cabling and annoying super bright LED's.

I'm not a big fan of cutting things up either. I made an aluminium spacer which fits on from the rear and made extensions of the cigarette lighter wiring from where the lighter was mounted in the lower cubby in the LS/LT focus console. In the LV, its a '12V socket' rather than a 'cigarette lighter' and is in the large console bin. I've got the 12V socket in the bin in my car now.

I drilled two holes in the lower dash to fit the LV console, though these are hidden when the console is fitted.

PaddlerEd;79380 wroteI've got 2 of those twin USB Carling type sockets in the 4Runner - they're pretty much a standard switch size for 4WD's.

I would keep the dust covers on, as the blue light is quite bright - I got mine from Jaycar for simplicity.

Definitely. The blue LEDs are ridiculously bright.