Hi guys. I plan on putting two USB charging outlets, like this one: Do you guys think it would be easy to replace the 12v outlet that's inside the center console compartment? Has any of you done it? Also, I want to put a voltmeter in my prius, like this one: What's the best way to wire it? Does it need to be wired directly to the battery? I just want it to come on when the car is on. Thanks.
It should be pretty simple to install the USB charger. Just take center console apart and replace 12V outlet with that one. You can just connect it to the wires that 12V outlet was connected. To get the correct reading on voltage gauge it needs to be connected directly to the battery. If your voltage meter is the most basic type it only has power and ground. Then power needs to be connected directly to battery though relay that’s controlled by ignition. If your voltage meter has “relay” build in then it then it has to one wire that you connect directly to battery and one that you connect to ignition. Bough types also have ground wire but you just connect it to ground. Ignition wire (or the control wire of the relay) can be connected to 12V outlets for example as they are only one when power is on.
How about this? Just plug it in. Sorry about the picture. Check EBay: 2 Ports 12V 24V Mini Bullet Dual USB Car Cigarette Lighter Charger LED Voltmeter | eBay
I don't think it should be hard to do. Just expect to cut plastic when you install both of them (will likely need to widen hole from cigarette lighter, and obviously cut a hole for the voltmeter). What drysider has proposed is obviously waaaaaaay too easy. As far as places to tap for the voltmeter, if it's a 2 wire voltmeter, there's not much you can do, and you'll have to tap off of some fuse that's only hot with ignition on, unless you're okay with it being on when your car is off (and drain the battery). If it's a 3 wire, with a separate lead to turn it on, I'd say the best in order are: 1. Battery terminal + 2. Jump point in fuse block in hood 3. One of the main + wires that comes into the fuse block under the steering wheel 4. Tapped into a + wire than only comes on with ignition on (e.g. cigarette lighter lead) The above will provide varying degrees of monitoring the battery voltage. You'll see some voltage drop as you tap farther away from the battery (nothing crazy, on the order of a 0.1V or two continuous, but it can make a difference when 12.1 volts is a "good" voltage and 11.8 is a "not good" voltage).
I doubt that voltmeter has a 3rd wire for a switch. its got 2 wires, and if you hook it in parallel with your 12 socket, it will read battery voltage close enough. the 12v sockets aren't powered if the ign is off. if it was me I'd probably replace the 12v socket by the front passengers leg with that usb port, wire the meter in parallel with it and mount it somewhere cool on the driver's side dash.
That was my plan, but the 12v wire is so thin I'm afraid to damage it trying to splice it. How would you go about it? Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
Does anyone know if this will fit into one of the blank switch on the driver's left (the upper set of three with the instrument panel dimmer and not the lower set were the reset / key momentary buttons are located)? Dual Port 12V USB Charger Socket Voltage Voltmeter Rocker Switch Panel Boat Car (sorry can't post link) search for the above at eBay or item number 291777275730 Thanks, -d
I'd probably first try to find a connector or terminals with the same pins as the 12v socket, and wire my gauge and usb ports to the connector. if the 12v socket has such an oddball connector that I couldn't do that, I'd cut the wires off the 12v socket connector and strip the wires back about 5/8", solder and shrinkwrap an adapter harness which goes to the port and gauge.
