Electrics what are these wires? any good for usb power?

Brungle · 10th February 2012, 14:24

Hello,

when I bought my civic (some time ago now!) it had a nokia hands free kit fitted (brodit holder/charger). I've always had an iphone since owning the car so never used it (besides in an ex with built in hands free!). It used to beep when starting the engine etc so I unplugged the little nokia/brodit control box that was wedged under the glovebox compartment. I've since lost this little box and was a little bored today and wondered if I could use the remaining wires to power a USB extension lead so I've got a permanent iphone charger?

I just need a bit of help with the wires, I've attached pictures.

I understand I need 5v for the usb extension lead.. I've got a multimeter (although I can't remember how to use it..

)

can someone identify what all these wires are?! one looks like the power lead for the box I removed but I dont know what voltage it is as I could potentially just split that and wire my blue usb extension to it?

thanks

Syx · 10th February 2012, 14:50

Depending on what the box did, it'll either be a 12v or a 5v feed.
I'd get a multimeter on it and check before hooking up your phone though...

Chances are someone on here will have the answer.

Bog · 10th February 2012, 14:56

Do you know where the wires start/terminate? In another box? Back of the HU?

If you can trace them back, the should help identify them..

Brungle · 10th February 2012, 15:06

thanks for quick responses.

I what setting would I need my multimeter on please? I've not use it for ages. would I need to strip the wires back or just probe the end of the black power plug?

I've not traced the wires behind the HU as I was hoping to avoid removing the dash at the moment until I get around to purchasing the xcarlink and the video switcher box. basically the wires that are on the floor in my pictures above lead behind the head unit somewhere.

cheers

Syx · 10th February 2012, 15:09

DCV 20. You're going to have to identify the + and - connections on the power connector and then probe one to VΩmA and the other to COM.

Brungle · 10th February 2012, 15:22

thanks for that.

right I probed the black wire and nothing, it looks like an audio jack though! there must be another little box behind the HU!

the good news is that I probed the square block (red and black wires) and its reading about 11-12v, so I need to get buy a 12v to 5v stepdown gadget in order to have USB power?

Syx · 10th February 2012, 15:25

Have a look for 12v phone chargers (if that's what you want) or 12v USB adaptors. I've got a sneaking suspicion they're mostly going to be cigarette socket type-things but can be easily made to fit your needs.

Bog · 10th February 2012, 15:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Syx

Have a look for 12v phone chargers (if that's what you want) or 12v USB adaptors. I've got a sneaking suspicion they're mostly going to be cigarette socket type-things but can be easily made to fit your needs.

+1 But get a good quality one as the cheaper ones can cause buzz/interference when audio through aux in (I've got a griffin one and that's fine) and 2A rated... this will then be able to charge an iPhone/Smartphone better.

Brungle · 10th February 2012, 15:38

I just had a quick look around the house and found this, could I butcher this to work?

Bog · 10th February 2012, 15:43

yep, that looks good... 2A and seems to be suppressed....

Syx · 10th February 2012, 16:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bog

+1 But get a good quality one as the cheaper ones can cause buzz/interference when audio through aux in (I've got a griffin one and that's fine) and 2A rated... this will then be able to charge an iPhone/Smartphone better.

Excellent point.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brungle

I just had a quick look around the house and found this, could I butcher this to work?

Looks good to me!

Brungle · 10th February 2012, 17:30

thanks guys. I got wired in so I've now got a permanent iphone charger wired into the glove box!

I'll route it to side of gearstick once I've got a decent cradle, any suggestions?

I did notice that the adapter 12v to 5v (has an LED on) its drawing power when the ignition is off though (ie, its always lit up). Although its only a tiny LED it shouldn't drain the battery should it?

Bog · 10th February 2012, 18:37

I have the brodit mount like the one in this pic...

and one of these...

ADJUSTABLE WINDSCREEN MOUNT HOLDER FOR Sony Ericsson Xperia X8 X10 Pro X10 Mini | eBay

I unscrewed the rear suction part and stuck the front part to the brodit mount... So I can swivel the phone 360 degrees

Ill post some pics of mine tomorrow when it's light..

Brungle · 11th February 2012, 18:36

Cool would nice to see your setup!

Brungle · 12th February 2012, 16:37

Hehe I drained my battery. Guess I should install some kind of switch!

egomaniac · 18th April 2012, 20:35

I thought the car switched off the cig lighter after it is turned off?

egomaniac · 18th April 2012, 20:38

sorry, my mistake.

not a cig lighter feed.

10th February 2012, 14:56	#3 (permalink)
Bog Slovakia is my Makkathran Car: 2009 Bronze 1.8 EX-GT Join Date: 5th October 2006 Location: Radlett, Hertfordshire Posts: 3,429 Thanks given: 60 Thanked 261 Times in 234 Posts iTrader: (18)	Do you know where the wires start/terminate? In another box? Back of the HU? If you can trace them back, the should help identify them.. Last edited by Bog; 10th February 2012 at 14:58.

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10th February 2012, 14:50	#2 (permalink)
Syx Supporter Car: 2008 2.2 CTS Join Date: 22nd December 2009 Location: Luton, UK Posts: 2,301 Thanks given: 174 Thanked 285 Times in 271 Posts iTrader: (5)	Depending on what the box did, it'll either be a 12v or a 5v feed. I'd get a multimeter on it and check before hooking up your phone though... Chances are someone on here will have the answer.

10th February 2012, 15:09	#5 (permalink)
Syx Supporter Car: 2008 2.2 CTS Join Date: 22nd December 2009 Location: Luton, UK Posts: 2,301 Thanks given: 174 Thanked 285 Times in 271 Posts iTrader: (5)	DCV 20. You're going to have to identify the + and - connections on the power connector and then probe one to VΩmA and the other to COM.

10th February 2012, 15:25	#7 (permalink)
Syx Supporter Car: 2008 2.2 CTS Join Date: 22nd December 2009 Location: Luton, UK Posts: 2,301 Thanks given: 174 Thanked 285 Times in 271 Posts iTrader: (5)	Have a look for 12v phone chargers (if that's what you want) or 12v USB adaptors. I've got a sneaking suspicion they're mostly going to be cigarette socket type-things but can be easily made to fit your needs.

10th February 2012, 15:43	#10 (permalink)
Bog Slovakia is my Makkathran Car: 2009 Bronze 1.8 EX-GT Join Date: 5th October 2006 Location: Radlett, Hertfordshire Posts: 3,429 Thanks given: 60 Thanked 261 Times in 234 Posts iTrader: (18)	yep, that looks good... 2A and seems to be suppressed....

10th February 2012, 17:30	#12 (permalink)
Brungle living the dream Thread starter Car: 2006 1.8 EX, Milano Join Date: 9th April 2009 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 649 Thanks given: 146 Thanked 37 Times in 28 Posts iTrader: (3)	thanks guys. I got wired in so I've now got a permanent iphone charger wired into the glove box! I'll route it to side of gearstick once I've got a decent cradle, any suggestions? I did notice that the adapter 12v to 5v (has an LED on) its drawing power when the ignition is off though (ie, its always lit up). Although its only a tiny LED it shouldn't drain the battery should it?

10th February 2012, 18:37	#13 (permalink)
Bog Slovakia is my Makkathran Car: 2009 Bronze 1.8 EX-GT Join Date: 5th October 2006 Location: Radlett, Hertfordshire Posts: 3,429 Thanks given: 60 Thanked 261 Times in 234 Posts iTrader: (18)	I have the brodit mount like the one in this pic... and one of these... ADJUSTABLE WINDSCREEN MOUNT HOLDER FOR Sony Ericsson Xperia X8 X10 Pro X10 Mini \| eBay I unscrewed the rear suction part and stuck the front part to the brodit mount... So I can swivel the phone 360 degrees Ill post some pics of mine tomorrow when it's light..

11th February 2012, 18:36	#14 (permalink)
Brungle living the dream Thread starter Car: 2006 1.8 EX, Milano Join Date: 9th April 2009 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 649 Thanks given: 146 Thanked 37 Times in 28 Posts iTrader: (3)	Cool would nice to see your setup!

12th February 2012, 16:37	#15 (permalink)
Brungle living the dream Thread starter Car: 2006 1.8 EX, Milano Join Date: 9th April 2009 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 649 Thanks given: 146 Thanked 37 Times in 28 Posts iTrader: (3)	Hehe I drained my battery. Guess I should install some kind of switch!

18th April 2012, 20:35	#16 (permalink)
egomaniac Supporter Car: 2007 1.8 EX, Blueish Silver Join Date: 12th November 2007 Location: Newcastle, UK Posts: 136 Thanks given: 2 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts iTrader: (2)	I thought the car switched off the cig lighter after it is turned off?

18th April 2012, 20:38	#17 (permalink)
egomaniac Supporter Car: 2007 1.8 EX, Blueish Silver Join Date: 12th November 2007 Location: Newcastle, UK Posts: 136 Thanks given: 2 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts iTrader: (2)	sorry, my mistake. not a cig lighter feed.