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Gen 3 v 3 USB charging ports

Discussion in 'Prius v Audio and Electronics' started by JOHN M TRINDLE, Nov 9, 2019.

  1. JOHN M TRINDLE

    JOHN M TRINDLE Junior Member

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    2015 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    Hi Folks! Frist psot and all that. I have a new-to-me 2015 v with 24K miles.

    I'm trying to install a 2 USB charging port to the left of the USB/Aux and front power plug. There is a blank switch where it would fit.

    1) How do I get the fascia off? I can get the USB/Aux plug and the blank plug out, but can't seem to figure out how to get the plate off so I can access wires I haven't been able to get the power plug out.

    2) There is a wired plug going to the blank switch. What might that do in a different trim level? Is it really wired to anything but the harness?

    Thanks! I've enjoyed reading the forums over the last few weeks, but can't seem to figure this one out.

    ...John Trindle
     
  2. JOHN M TRINDLE

    JOHN M TRINDLE Junior Member

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    Three
    To follow up on myself:

    1) It looks as if this will be the approach (remove the center console first). Unfortunately, I have no time to work on it today so may not get to it until next Sunday:



    2) It looks like that is the heated seat controller... so if someone had a seat heat switch and some salvaged OEM seats, they might be in luck as the wiring is in the harness.

    ...John
     
  3. Centerpunch

    Centerpunch Active Member

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    Four
    That's where the heated seats switch goes.
    .
    IMG-8727.jpg
     
  4. Centerpunch

    Centerpunch Active Member

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  5. JOHN M TRINDLE

    JOHN M TRINDLE Junior Member

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    Thanks for the responses, Centerpunch!
     
  6. Offline

    Offline Active Member

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    Five
    You don't need salvage OEM seats if you want heated seats. There have been past threads on this forum about Toyota dealers installing the seat heaters on Prius v that didn't come with them. Apparently all the wiring is there.

    Why don't you instead buy a twin USB adapter that plugs into the existing 12V port? The one we use in our Prius v is lighted and looks nice. I doubt that I paid more than $10 for it and it's worked fine with daily use since we bought our 2012 new.
     
  7. JOHN M TRINDLE

    JOHN M TRINDLE Junior Member

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    Three
    I have one of those, actually. I just wanted to clean things up a bit. I charge cameras (video and still) and other devices. My Nissan Sentra was a rats nest of wires.

    To update, I finally noticed the twin USB charger switch replacement would look better in a vertical format, so I'm installing next to the Traction Control switch and running the wires to the fuse box. I'm going to get a horizontal format one for the center.
     
  8. JOHN M TRINDLE

    JOHN M TRINDLE Junior Member

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    2015 Prius v wagon
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    Three
    Update: I've installed a Mictuning Qualcomm 3.0 fast charge USB port to the left of the cigarette lighter (seat heater switch location) temporarily*. I did indeed have to follow most of the directions in the video I link to above to get behind the cigarette lighter. The wiring has plugs to fit in-line with the cigarette lighter, which is nice (no splice/taps or running back to the fuse box).

    *temporarily because it's the wrong size... it's 1.6" long instead of of 1.3". I've ordered the proper replacement. With luck I can swap just the ports and keep the wiring, and I won't have to remove the center console again. I'll link to the right product when I succeed fully.
     
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  9. JOHN M TRINDLE

    JOHN M TRINDLE Junior Member

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    2015 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    Done! It was a learning experience.

    1) The second time around, I found I only needed to unbolt the center console, and leave the upper dash alone. So, from the video I posted higher in the thread, just remove the panels down by the driver's right foot, and the passenger's left foot. Then unpin and unbolt the center console. You can then pop the panel containing the cigarette lighter switch forward enough to get at the wiring.

    2) Those with eagle eyes will see the scarring I caused in the plastic by using metal tools initially. Is there a way to dress these scars/burrs to minimize their visibility? They aren't really noticeable from normal eye height.

    3) The wiring on the quick-charge unit is nifty, plug and play in-line with the cigarette lighter connectors. The 2.1A one with the voltmeter came with scotchlok splice connectors, but I used a micro fuse tap instead, in tandem with the rear cigarette lighter fuse. Unfortunately, this is bulky and prevents closing the fuse box cover.



    20191122_121233.jpg 20191122_121318.jpg

    20191122_121157.jpg 20191122_121220.jpg
     
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  10. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    looks sharp, well done!(y)