Panel USB

[Andy Walker]

Hey all...

There's a lot of devices (phones/iPads/cameras/etc) now that charge via 5V USB connections. I'm thinking I'll put a 12V power socket and a couple of 5V USB sockets in my panel for powering stuff. Has anybody done this, or have any idea how hard it would be to wire? I can't imagine it's very hard, just getting the 12V system power down to the correct 5V spec would be the only trick.

Of course there are plenty of 12V to USB power adapters out there and I could just use one of those, but I think it would look cool and be more elegant to have the USB right in the panel.

[chris]

This is something like you are looking for but it doesn't look all that elegant. Looks like a standard 12V plug that somebody stuffed with a transformer and a usb outlet.

Another similar:

[Andy Walker]

Yeah, that type of thing might be easier than wiring one myself. I like this one a little better:

http://www.cyclenutz.com/All-Weather-USB-Hardwire-Kit_p_475.html

[chris]

That does look better. It probably wouldn't be too hard to get one of the 4 usb ports on a computer card and modify it to mount behind panel just cutting out slots for the usb ports. Mybe one rectaangle and then hardwiring a 12V to 5V transformer behind the panel.

[uteboy]

I was thinking about a regulator blah de blah and getting very complicated, but they look pretty good.

[chris]

Good Idea with the regulator. Heres a video about how to build a simple 5v usb power circuit with a voltage regulator.

[uteboy]

you could use one of these http://www.usglobalsat.com/store/download/243/hwpc_ug_080410.pdf in conjunction with a simple panel mount like this: http://www.itm-components.co.uk/product1436.html

[Andy Walker]

Looks like all your really need is this switching voltage regulator:

http://www.dimensionengineering.com/DE-SW050.htm

It will take in up to 30V input and convert to 5.0V +/- 0.25V and 1A continuous, which is exactly the USB spec. Put a 2A fuse or breaker on it and wire to a USB port and done.

[Sonex1517]

Goodness! I am away for a few hours and a conversation breaks out! Cool! ;-)

I have been thinking about this and an Apple bus for the iPad and iPhone.....but first I have to think about replacing the parts I ruined yesterday.

[Gripdana]

I found a 2 USB aux power plug at Cabelas in the marine section. It gets straight 12v from my power distro and the output is for USB powered devices. I just finished wiring everything under the panel and will test run everything this weekend.