USB outlets in dash

[Turk.380]

So the wife and I are currently outfitting our new-to-us 2002 Winnebago Vista, and I'm sittin there looking at all the blanked-out ports in the dash where the heated seats, defrost, etc switches would go. I'm thinking.. gee, it would be swell if someone made a USB power outlet that would pop in place of one of these blanks..
I check the forums here.. nothing found
check the usual vendors.. nothing found..
Checked eBay.. hmm.. this says it fits a T4.. but looks iffy..
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Car-Suv-12-24V-3-1A-Dual-U...mp;vxp=mtr

anyone tried one? I suppose for the $$ I could just risk it..

Thx
Brian
_________________
Brian W
St. Louis, MO
'64 SO-33 Hatch Top Westy | '87 Syncro Westy: Subaru EZ30D powered | 2002 VW Winnebago Vista

[jjvincent]

Here's another one but it has dimensions that you could measure out to see if it would click in. It has a blue voltage readout and two male spades on the back. Plus it's 4.2A:

https://www.amazon.com/Socket-voltmeter-Carling-sw...ize+cutout

[Turk.380]

[jjvincent]

Since I have one of those rectangle blocks left in my dash, I can fill it with one but will wait for you to do it first to see if it works. Buy one and let us know how it works out. It could be an easy upgrade or maybe not.

By last count, I have 7 USB ports in the EV, so two more would just add to what I can plug in.

[wildenbeast]

Here's an interesting one from the UK:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vw-Transporter-T5-Campervan-4x-Switches-Voltmeter-2-1A-USB/221921437721
_________________
- Bill, '93 Eurovan Syncro Weekender (2.5 manual ACU)

[IdeaNerd]

I've been thinking about this too, for both the cab area and also by the Weekender rear seat where there's already a 12V cigarette lighter plug.

@stl_stadtroller, if you end up installing one of these, please update us w/how it worked out + pics.

[formerknuckledragger]

We've got this little guy in the cigarette lighter: http://a.co/as9BBR4

It's flush with the dash, can be swapped to the rear outlet easily, and is pretty cheap.

One downside - it makes an audible high-pitch whining noise that can be heard when the engine is off (or, for OCD folks like myself, even when driving).

[jjvincent]

I have a dual USB plugged in my cigarette lighter. My radio has a USB port in the front and I have an iPhone cable coming out of the rear. Then two dual USB's in the rear 12v ports. That's a total of 7 USB ports plus the iPhone cable. We have lots of USB powered stuff but I've never filled all 7 of them. I could put another one in that last 12V port and have 9 USB ports. I have the inverter and a 6 gang USB in my house. So, I could have up to 15. Is that enough?

[eurovank]

[Abscate]

[Turk.380]

I'm familiar with the round USB plug-ins, and have a few myself. I'm hoping to find something a little more elegant than that.. and also something that provides more Amperage..

Also Winnebago has the dashboard 12v socket wired to the coach battery, so it's hot all the time.

A separate, fitted, in-dash USB outlet that's keyed-hot would be useful.. most of these devices have built-in LED illumination which would be annoying at night, and also drain the battery over storage intervals.
_________________
Brian W
St. Louis, MO
'64 SO-33 Hatch Top Westy | '87 Syncro Westy: Subaru EZ30D powered | 2002 VW Winnebago Vista

[Abscate]

[Joshwa]

[Abscate]

[Itsamoto]

Unless you like to chain smoke while you're driving, that flush mount 12v/USB can't be beat. Simple, clean, reversible, transferable.

You can use blanked buttons for things like adding heated seats (if you don't have them) or doing the B5 passat hazard switch for trans temp gauge mod.

[jjvincent]

The lighter might not be usable because when I bought my Alltrack, they were giving away these 12V VW rechargeable mini flashlights (it actually works pretty well):

[Turk.380]

[Itsamoto]

[jjvincent]

[Joshwa]