Has anyone hardwired a USB charger?

 

I'm gonna be using my android phone with my new head unit, but the bluetooth drains the battery of the phone like a darts player drains Johns Smiths.

 

I was thinking of just butchering a 12v belkin adapter (the kind that plugs into the cig lighter) and taking a live feed from behind the cig lighter.

If I have it right, a 12v to 5v/1amp will do the job.

 

What have other done? Or see anything massively wrong with my idea?

cant see any problems mate..i hard wired a snooper 3 zeds ago with no problems and its the same idea.

Did you put in an inline fuse?

get yourself one of these :

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DC-12V-to-5V-3A-Step-down-Converter-Buck-Regulator-to-2-Female-USB-Output-Car-UK-/221354239646?pt=UK_BOI_Electrical_Test_Measurement_Equipment_ET&hash=item3389bda69e

 

Got something similar to power my tom tom which I hard wired out the vent at the top of the dash.

I was looking at that.

What size fuse did you wire in?

Did you put in an inline fuse?

 

no mate i used the interior lights fuse with no issues BUT iff i did a hardwire again i would use a rated inline fuse iff only to save the device from harm

Been thinking of doing that. But liking the usb more!!

cant see any problems mate..i hard wired a snooper 3 zeds ago with no problems and its the same idea.

 

Me neither; the circuit for the cig lighter will easily take it......

 

get yourself one of these :

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DC-12V-to-5V-3A-Step-down-Converter-Buck-Regulator-to-2-Female-USB-Output-Car-UK-/221354239646?pt=UK_BOI_Electrical_Test_Measurement_Equipment_ET&hash=item3389bda69e

 

Got something similar to power my tom tom which I hard wired out the vent at the top of the dash.

 

.....Great idea Lee - even better than butchering a charger!

Ordered the gear Lee linked to above, and an inline fuse holder just to be on the safe side.

 

I'll do a "how to" on installing it if I ever get the chance over the next few weeks.