JT's Carchet USB power

[OverHillAndDale]

I'm installing JT's USB ports. I have easy access to an unswitched 12V wire, but don't know where to go for switched power. So...

If I just connect to the unswitched wire, will these ports draw power even if nothing is plugged into them? Where have others gone to find a switched wire?

 

[hschuchman]

I connected the wiring from my USB to the same wiring that uses the gauge on the right side of the dashboard, which is a switched wire. I believe if you connect to an unswitched wire power will still be drawn because the USB port has a blue light that turns on when active.

 

[billybovine]

Each switch position plug has orange with red stripe wire going to it. That is switched. It is intended for lighting each switch. The usb charger port uses so little power, it will power it with no trouble.

 

[OverHillAndDale]

Great answers - I'll use the orange/red wire as BillyBovine suggested.

In the meantime - John from JT's sent me an email stating that even if you use unswitched power, the draw on this device is so low that it would take a year or so for it to take down the battery power.

hschuchman - your answer was applicable for the dash-mounted USB ports, but I'm using the switch-panel USB ports. However I'm also installing a Kuryakyn voltage gauge on the dash, and I will use the switched power available in on the gauge on the right as you suggested.

Thanks all.

 

[finless]

FYI and just a warning. I have warned about this before.

2010-2014 there was a switched power wire for the light bulb in the gauges. This wire did not go through the cluster.
There is another power wire that goes through the cluster.
Sometime in 2015 and up, BRP changed the gauges to use a LED in the gauge and removed the other power wire.
The gauges only have 3 wires now not 4 and the only power wire now goes through the cluster.

On facebook about a month ago a guy hooked up the dual USB port to the power wire that goes through the cluster (he had a 2016 RT).
He plugged in 2 things to the USB port. Remember a iPhone 6+ can draw 2.1 AMPs to charge.
When he plugged in a GPS as well, he blew his cluster!

So please be aware there is a limit when using the power wire that goes through the cluster!

Bob

 

[OverHillAndDale]

Thanks - very useful.

Fortunately I have a 2014, so it sounds like I should be OK. I will likely never have more than my one phone, which draw as much as 2 amps.