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Will the Console USB terminal Charge a phone?

22K views 37 replies 15 participants last post by  MRT2 
#1 ·
Up until today I had always used my console (hot all the time) 12V Outlet to Charge my phone. I tried using the USB connector (part of the connectivity group) today and it wouldn't charge my phone. The Cable is fine as I tested it on another port. I'm thinking that USB port Is only for connecting to the factory 430/730N and won't actually Charge a phone or is it possible there's an issue with my USB port?
 
#4 ·
The USB in the radio is for media devices or accessing the HDD. I just tried it in mine and my phone said "connected as a media device". No charge to the phone was given. Phone is a S4 Galaxy.

The USB in the armrest will charge a phone.
I tried using the USB charger in the Console and it didn't charge at all. Only the 12V in my console charges. I did recently get rid of my 730N for Kenwood DNX892 but I wouldn't think that would affect the center console USB. My center console USB isn't charging at all.
 
#3 ·
The USB in the console on mine won't charge my iDork 4s (but is good for a flash drive I have some music on), but the lighter style plug with one of those "2 USB port adaptor" things will, plus it has a little led in it so it's like a night light for inside the console. Mines only powered key on though, not constant
 
#6 ·
Interesting. I tried charging an iPhone 6 and like yours it doesn't charge. It's not that big of a thing as I get two fully functional USB plugs with my dnx892. I was just curious as id figure the factory console usb outlet would charge an iphone. Apparently not. The two usb outlets/cables from the Dnx892 charge an iPhone 6 with no problem.
 
#7 ·
Can anyone confirm whether or not you can charge an iPhone or any newer cell phone with the USB in the center console? And if so is it a hot connection with the Jeep off like the 12V?

If others can charge an iPhone or newer cell with the center USB port than it may have something to do with my 730N I removed.
 
#9 ·
If you connect your phone/MP3 player through the console you need to toggle over to the UCI function on your radio and it will recognize your device and will begin to charge it as long as the car is on. You don't need to keep on the UCI function once the device is recognized, it will continue to charge until unplugged or the car is turned off.
 
#10 ·
the cig plug right below the radio does not charge my phone but one in the container that you rest your arm on does. i have aftermarket radio and samsung galaxy s6 i was wondering if this was normal or not

based on posts here i believe it is correct?
 
#13 ·
I'm referring to the USB not the cig/12V plug. To answer your question the 12V cig plug under your radio will only charge with the Jeep ignition in the ON position. The one in the Center console will charge with the Jeep on OR off. So they BOTH should charge.
 
#12 ·
Bubba.... I got rid of the 730N head unit so I wont have any UCI function and never remember seeing that option when I did have the 730N. With my DNX892 I actually have 2 USB connections running through to my glove box both of which will stream music to th head unit and/or Charge any phone or USB device. Interestingly enough, I never tried the center console USB connection when I had the 730N.

I'm just curious as to whether or not we can still use that usb connection within the center console with after market head unit. Others have mentioned it's not a hot all the time connection like the 12V so at least that is cleared up. So I guess the only question now is if anyone with the connectivity GROUP AND an aftermarket head unit is able to charge their cell phone?
 
#19 ·
The issue is my center console USB connector is no longer lit up since I've changed the 730N. I'm guessing there is a connection for that center console USB outlet behind where the head unit is? Can anyone who has swapped their 430/730 head units for any aftermarket head unit... Were you able to retain the center console USB port? It isn't a huge thing I just would prefer not to lose any factory options if possible.
 
#20 ·
Most of this is answered in the various manuals, but they don't have it spelled out as well as they should.

The USB port on the 430N head unit will supply 500mA maximum to a device. That's not a lot, so the charging is very slow.

The USB port inside of the center console is connected to the UConnect unit itself, so it will only supply power when the vehicle is on. It also only supplies 500mA.

The front 12v power plug ("cigarette plug") is a switched power source, so the ignition has to be on, but will supply up to 13 amps.

The center console 12v power plug is powered directly from the battery, and is not switched, and will supply up to 13 amps.

I'm not sure if the third power adapter by the subwoofer is switched or not, but I'm assuming switched.
 
#22 ·
dcgibbons... That Is excellent info, thank you! 500ma is not a lot of juice. To answer your question the Kenwood I have works well with idatalink Maestro so I still have steering wheel controls and Bluetooth but it isn't Uconnect. It's Bluetooth that comes with the Kenwood head unit. I assume from what you've written that the only way to maintain the center console USB is by rewiring it? If so, could it be rewired to produce more then 500ma?
 
#23 ·
dcgibbons... That Is excellent info, thank you! 500ma is not a lot. When you say the center console USB is connected to the uconnect unit itself you're referring to the 430/730 or even the 130 units directly, right? If so is there a connection behind the head unit which can still be used to connect to an aftermarket head unit when any of the factory head units are replaced so to maintain the USB connection in the center console?
Right - that center console USB won't even exist if you don't have the UConnect option on the vehicle (I'm 90% sure).

The head units, amplifier, and UConnect system communicate over the interior CAN bus (basically a computer network) to do all of the interesting work. When you do an aftermarket head unit, it doesn't speak that network protocol at all (except in one or two special cases), so you either lose functionality, or you get a unit like a Lockpick that does it, or - and this is what you are asking, you hack up the wiring yourself.

So here's what to do next: go over to Mopar Connection Repair Kit and pick your year and vehicle platform. You'll get a list of connectors. Radio C1 and Radio C2 will be the interesting ones.

But, here's the deal - there is no "USB" pins in those connectors. The Radio and UConnect are talking over the CAN interior bus, over a two-wire connection, to communicate network data. The UConnect knows if the Radio is installed so that's when it enables the port.

So, your best option, without something like a Lockpick, is to look at the PORT-MEDIA connector on that list - that's the USB port in the center console. Open up the center console and then disconnect the USB port from the vehicle wiring, and then wire it up to your aftermarket radio as needed.... assuming your aftermarktet radio even has USB pins on its connectors. You'll have to hack up your conversion radio harness to do that.

The Lockpick units make all this just work for you - https://www.coastaletech.com/chryslerapplications.htm - give them a call or email and see if they'll fix what you need. I bet so.
 
#29 ·
My console puts out the same 5V as my macbook and direct connection to a 120V outlet and charges my phone just fine.
I didn't check the owners manual but am taking dcgibbons word for it that the center console USB is only 500ma. Other members have mentioned here that there center USB connector charges their phone painfully slow. So it is odd yours would charge so quickly.
 
#32 ·
Thanks for clarifying DC. I guess what some would seem slow for a charge others may consider fast.

@dc.... It seems you are versed in electricity. I understand the differences you've specified and the logic as to why the center console USB port would charge slower. I'm curious to know what a "rapid charger" actually does vs a standard charger? I don't know if there are rapid chargers for USB connections that are slower like the center console USB in our Jeeps but when buying a 12V Charger I bought a rapid charger which works better than the standard vehicle 12V Charger. What does a rapid charger do that a standard charger doesn't and is there a rapid USB charger like there is with a 12V or home charger?
 
#31 ·
For those who weren't aware of the history of the USB specification, in v1.x and v2.x, 500 mA was the max power draw after negotiation - 100 mA was the max before negotiation. I think USB 3.0 is where this was increased, but Apple and others put this in their devices well before the specification change. The UConnect module is dutifully following the older specifications, even though USB 3.0 came out in 2008.
 
#34 ·
And, also, keep in mind it depends upon how often you look/care and what else you are doing. That 500 mA circuit, combined with using the device for active navigation using Waze or something, means the device really won't charge at all. Playing music or doing nothing, and the charge isn't too bad.
 
#37 ·
I bought a non Apple brand charger from a gas station one time and the dude behind the counter had 2 to chose from, he said 1 was better than the other because it was 2amps or something like that. It did charge my 5s faster than my original charger. The charger also got a lot warmer than my original.
 
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