2008 Focus Console Mod

numloxx · 28-03-2013, 03:52 PM

Hi all,

I want to add a USB for charging to my centre console under the heater controls.

I've bought some blank replacements from Ford today (Was expecting them to cost $30 each, but only $5 each), and want to cut a hole in one, and glue a usb port into them. But I'm unsure about how to wire them, and how to go about the whole thing.

Hoping someone here has done something similar.

Another mod I'm planning on doing is hard wiring my dashcam's power to one of them blanks, but using a toggle switch similar to the rear window heater to switch it on and off etc., but having it powered only when the engine is running.

Any help would be greatly appreciated

Thanks

Franco Cozzo · 28-03-2013, 04:55 PM

I've got my driving light switch in one of those blanks. We drilled a hole in it, mounted the switch and hot glued the blank plate back in.

With USB it has to be 5V and 500ma to meet standards.

It might be worth buying a cigarette socket to usb adaptor, pulling it apart and using the insides behind the blanking plate.

If you wired up a USB port by itself you'd feed it 14V when the car is running.

numloxx · 28-03-2013, 05:22 PM

Cool, thanks for the reply and warning regarding voltage :-)

casabonka · 28-03-2013, 08:11 PM

Jaycar might be good for those sorts of plugs - I did that when I added a 3.5mm plug in a blanking plate. Although I cheated and just went from the glove box plug rather than the back of the head unit.

leakey · 30-03-2013, 03:31 PM

Or go with one of either of these -

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Ford-FOCU...item3380dffd2c

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/USB-Klink...item3a7e8201c6

numloxx · 30-03-2013, 04:56 PM

First one is for stereos with usb ports, second might be an option.thanks.

lestone91 · 30-04-2013, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Damo

I've got my driving light switch in one of those blanks. We drilled a hole in it, mounted the switch and hot glued the blank plate back in.

With USB it has to be 5V and 500ma to meet standards.

It might be worth buying a cigarette socket to usb adaptor, pulling it apart and using the insides behind the blanking plate.

If you wired up a USB port by itself you'd feed it 14V when the car is running.

you will probably need more amps than 500mA alot of phones need 1A or fats charge and tablets require 2.1 A

numloxx · 01-05-2013, 01:37 PM

Yeah thanks. I have found some Cigarette chargers that put out 1-2 Amps.