Is there a way to keep the USB port powered? - Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community

WNDSRFR · 02-05-2019, 10:20 AM

Is there any way to keep the USB port powered with the ignition off? My phone only charges while I'm driving.

Tcoat · 02-05-2019, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WNDSRFR

Is there any way to keep the USB port powered with the ignition off? My phone only charges while I'm driving.

No setting anyplace. I have looked. No doubt you could wire it into a harness though. Didn't want to go that far though.

Leonardo · 02-05-2019, 11:06 AM

I would just wire in something like this... Inexpensive, simple to hook up, could be ran through the sound generator tube hole. (if you haven't removed it yet, now is a good time!)

https://www.ebay.com/itm/MICTUNING-S....c100005.m1851

EDIT: NEW LINK. (BETTER KIT WITH A FUSE! ONLY $12.21)

Silverz · 02-05-2019, 11:15 AM

Or just put one of those iPhone battery packs in there that charges up while car is on and allows you to charge while car is off. Cheapest and simplest solution. You might be able to hide it so it’s out of the way if you get the right one. There is a plug in the glove box. Stick the battery pack in there and run the usb charging cable out from under the glove box.

Don’t have to worry about getting stranding by running your battery down

WNDSRFR · 02-05-2019, 12:05 PM

Both of these are good ideas, but I was hoping some software genius out there might know a way to modify the software. Maybe with the OFT?

ermax · 02-05-2019, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WNDSRFR

Both of these are good ideas, but I was hoping some software genius out there might know a way to modify the software. Maybe with the OFT?

The ECU has no interaction with the HU so OFT will not help. I had considered modifying my port so it would charge at 2A by clipping the power lines and hardwiring them to a 2A charger but leave the datalines as is, connected to the HU. Never got around to it, like most of my projects. Hahaha

PatSciFRS · 02-05-2019, 12:32 PM

I was under the impression that the USB Port is connected directly to the Radio Head Unit because it is not just a charging port, but also a digital audio interface that allows playing music files on the smartphone.

ermax · 02-05-2019, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PatSciFRS

I was under the impression that the USB Port is connected directly to the Radio Head Unit because it is not just a charging port, but also a digital audio interface that allows playing music files on the smartphone.

You are correct. Which is why if I hacked my port I would leave the data lines in tact. USB ports have 4 lines. The outers are power and the inners are data. I think we could disconnect the +/- outer lines from the HU and connect them to another 5v power source which could be fed with or without the ignition depending on what you are trying to accomplish. My goal wasn't to have always on power but to have more than 1A charging.

Warning: If someone wants to try this, DO NOT connect the power lines directly to 12v. USB runs 5v. If you try to wire it direct to a 12v source you will destroy any USB device you plug into it. You would need a DC-DC power supply to take the 12v down to 5v. I have a 2.4A USB cigarette adapter which I pulled out of its case which has perfect solder lands for this project. I just never got around to pulling the dash apart to install it.

JIM THEO · 02-05-2019, 01:19 PM

May be Techstream has an option for keeping enabled the infotainment while car is off

ermax · 02-05-2019, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JIM THEO

May be Techstream has an option for keeping enabled the infotainment while car is off

nope

Leonardo · 02-05-2019, 01:54 PM

The kit is soooo easy though, it's literally two wires and a fuse.... Then you will have two USB ports. I have one mounted in my glove box. (that way my phone is not visible when left in the car to charge)

Tcoat · 02-05-2019, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leonardo

I would just wire in something like this... Inexpensive, simple to hook up, could be ran through the sound generator tube hole. (if you haven't removed it yet, now is a good time!)

https://www.ebay.com/itm/MICTUNING-S....c100005.m1851

EDIT: NEW LINK. (BETTER KIT WITH A FUSE! ONLY $12.21)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leonardo

The kit is soooo easy though, it's literally two wires and a fuse.... Then you will have two USB ports. I have one mounted in my glove box. (that way my phone is not visible when left in the car to charge)

Ordered 2 just now. One for me and one for the wife's Impresa. Damn new cars that turn all the sockets off.

Dake · 02-05-2019, 02:10 PM

Don't forget there's a second power port in the glove box (it's what my dashcam plugs in to). It's not hot either, but it might be handier for keeping stuff tucked away.

If anything could be modded it'd be the cigarette lighter I'd think. That being said, you'd be surprised how fast a modern cell phone battery can deplete a standard car battery to below the point it can start the car. I did it to myself once and it didn't take long (though to be fair, it was the original battery and it was on its way out anyway).

gravitylover · 02-05-2019, 04:26 PM

My usb plug isn't powered. Is it supposed to be? It doesn't charge my phone but works fine for music if I put a flash drive in.

02-05-2019, 10:20 AM	#1
WNDSRFR Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Drives: FR-S,GTI Location: Cocoa, Florida Posts: 1,155 Thanks: 228 Thanked 823 Times in 419 Posts Mentioned: 13 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Is there a way to keep the USB port powered? Is there any way to keep the USB port powered with the ignition off? My phone only charges while I'm driving.

02-05-2019, 11:06 AM	#3
Leonardo Country Boy 4 Life Join Date: Jul 2012 Drives: 19' & 06' Ridgelines, 13' FR-S Location: EUGENE Posts: 5,228 Thanks: 6,719 Thanked 5,291 Times in 2,720 Posts Mentioned: 47 Post(s) Tagged: 1 Thread(s)	I would just wire in something like this... Inexpensive, simple to hook up, could be ran through the sound generator tube hole. (if you haven't removed it yet, now is a good time!) https://www.ebay.com/itm/MICTUNING-S....c100005.m1851 EDIT: NEW LINK. (BETTER KIT WITH A FUSE! ONLY $12.21) __________________ I LIKE TIRES! Last edited by Leonardo; 02-05-2019 at 11:22 AM.

02-05-2019, 11:15 AM	#4
Silverz Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2018 Drives: Black frs Location: LA Posts: 103 Thanks: 1 Thanked 22 Times in 20 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Or just put one of those iPhone battery packs in there that charges up while car is on and allows you to charge while car is off. Cheapest and simplest solution. You might be able to hide it so it’s out of the way if you get the right one. There is a plug in the glove box. Stick the battery pack in there and run the usb charging cable out from under the glove box. Don’t have to worry about getting stranding by running your battery down Last edited by Silverz; 02-05-2019 at 01:11 PM.

02-05-2019, 01:54 PM	#11
Leonardo Country Boy 4 Life Join Date: Jul 2012 Drives: 19' & 06' Ridgelines, 13' FR-S Location: EUGENE Posts: 5,228 Thanks: 6,719 Thanked 5,291 Times in 2,720 Posts Mentioned: 47 Post(s) Tagged: 1 Thread(s)	The kit is soooo easy though, it's literally two wires and a fuse.... Then you will have two USB ports. I have one mounted in my glove box. (that way my phone is not visible when left in the car to charge) __________________ I LIKE TIRES!

02-05-2019, 02:10 PM	#13
Dake Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Drives: FR-S Location: Houston Posts: 1,056 Thanks: 464 Thanked 819 Times in 414 Posts Mentioned: 5 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Don't forget there's a second power port in the glove box (it's what my dashcam plugs in to). It's not hot either, but it might be handier for keeping stuff tucked away. If anything could be modded it'd be the cigarette lighter I'd think. That being said, you'd be surprised how fast a modern cell phone battery can deplete a standard car battery to below the point it can start the car. I did it to myself once and it didn't take long (though to be fair, it was the original battery and it was on its way out anyway). Last edited by Dake; 02-05-2019 at 10:37 PM.

02-05-2019, 12:05 PM	#5
WNDSRFR Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Drives: FR-S,GTI Location: Cocoa, Florida Posts: 1,155 Thanks: 228 Thanked 823 Times in 419 Posts Mentioned: 13 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Both of these are good ideas, but I was hoping some software genius out there might know a way to modify the software. Maybe with the OFT?

02-05-2019, 12:32 PM	#7
PatSciFRS Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Drives: Scion FRS 10 Series Location: USA Posts: 48 Thanks: 1 Thanked 22 Times in 13 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	I was under the impression that the USB Port is connected directly to the Radio Head Unit because it is not just a charging port, but also a digital audio interface that allows playing music files on the smartphone.

02-05-2019, 01:19 PM	#9
JIM THEO Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2018 Drives: BRZ 2018 Location: Greece Posts: 495 Thanks: 119 Thanked 135 Times in 95 Posts Mentioned: 6 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	May be Techstream has an option for keeping enabled the infotainment while car is off

02-05-2019, 04:26 PM	#14
gravitylover Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Drives: 2013 BRZ Premium 6MT White Location: SE NY Posts: 1,503 Thanks: 1,218 Thanked 669 Times in 474 Posts Mentioned: 7 Post(s) Tagged: 1 Thread(s)	My usb plug isn't powered. Is it supposed to be? It doesn't charge my phone but works fine for music if I put a flash drive in. __________________

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