I have several items that are recharged or powered by a USB plug and the TJ doesn't have a USB plug. I have one of those plugs that have a USB plug that plugs into the 12 volt accessory plug, but I grew tired of fumbling with a plug. My solution was to hard wire a dual USB plug. I knew that I wanted a 3.0 USB because it charges items faster. I did an Amazon search and there are many options available, but I chose this one. The cost was $16.00 but it also has a digital voltmeter.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07FXH5ZZK/?tag=wranglerorg-20
The install was really easy and took about 45 minutes, which included taking pictures and monitoring some cool "beverages." Probably really took only about 20 minutes of actual work.
The box included the plug and connecting wires with a fuse.
I removed the center stack trim, and then the 4 screws that hold the bank of switches, cigar lighter and 12 volt accessory plug.
Unplug all three.
I had no use for the cigar lighter (fuse #18), so I removed the fuse and cut off the plug. I used the positive and ground wire for the cigar as my power source. The cigar lighter is a switched source so the plug is only powered when the ignition switch is on or in accessory mode. I then plugged the OEM plug back into the cigar lighter for safe keeping.
I then drilled a 1 1/4 inch hole into the blank square in order to mount the USB plug.
Then strip the wires from the OEM harness. Because the cigar lighter already has a fuse, I cut off the fuse on the USB harness. I connected the wires and then wrapped them in electrical tape....just in case.
Push the plug into the hole that was drilled and and screw on the round stay. I needed to use a pair of channel locks to get it tight. Here it is mounted to the panel.
The digital voltmeter is in the middle of the two USB plugs and can be seen with the rubber cover closed. It is bright enough to be seen in the daylight, but is low enough on the dash that it won't be distracting at night.
Here is everything completed.
Overall I am very pleased will the easy install and the finished product looks nice. There are cheaper USB plugs and some without the voltmeter that costs less than $10.00, but I am glad I got the plug with the digital voltmeter. Just looks nice to me.
The 3.0 USB plugs charges my Samsung Galaxy 9 from 10% to 100% in 15 minutes.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07FXH5ZZK/?tag=wranglerorg-20
The install was really easy and took about 45 minutes, which included taking pictures and monitoring some cool "beverages." Probably really took only about 20 minutes of actual work.
The box included the plug and connecting wires with a fuse.
I removed the center stack trim, and then the 4 screws that hold the bank of switches, cigar lighter and 12 volt accessory plug.
Unplug all three.
I had no use for the cigar lighter (fuse #18), so I removed the fuse and cut off the plug. I used the positive and ground wire for the cigar as my power source. The cigar lighter is a switched source so the plug is only powered when the ignition switch is on or in accessory mode. I then plugged the OEM plug back into the cigar lighter for safe keeping.
I then drilled a 1 1/4 inch hole into the blank square in order to mount the USB plug.
Then strip the wires from the OEM harness. Because the cigar lighter already has a fuse, I cut off the fuse on the USB harness. I connected the wires and then wrapped them in electrical tape....just in case.
Push the plug into the hole that was drilled and and screw on the round stay. I needed to use a pair of channel locks to get it tight. Here it is mounted to the panel.
The digital voltmeter is in the middle of the two USB plugs and can be seen with the rubber cover closed. It is bright enough to be seen in the daylight, but is low enough on the dash that it won't be distracting at night.
Here is everything completed.
Overall I am very pleased will the easy install and the finished product looks nice. There are cheaper USB plugs and some without the voltmeter that costs less than $10.00, but I am glad I got the plug with the digital voltmeter. Just looks nice to me.
The 3.0 USB plugs charges my Samsung Galaxy 9 from 10% to 100% in 15 minutes.
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