12v Power Port

[alexsbuddy]

I am thinking about installing a 12v power port on my XG3037 and wondered if anyone else had done the same and where. I am thinking about installing it on the lower half of the console cover on the left side and would wire it directly to the battery with inline 15amp fuse protection. This would allow the port to be hot at all times. Would mainly use this to charge my cell phone when out in the field all day, but I also like having power ports on all of my tractors (lawn, garden, and farm) to provide emergency power supply if we lose normal electrical service. Can use these to charge cell phones, notebooks, rechargeable batteries for lights, power tools, etc... I have a generator, but learned several years back in a really bad ice storm that you can never have too many emergency power supplies.

 

[Doofy]

Can't be over prepared for power outages. We have a couple of propane wall heaters and a wood stove for back-up heat. We have a 3000 watt pure sine wave inverter in the plow truck and a 2000 watt Honda inverter generator that is kept warm in the garage.

We keep about a years supply of food on hand and can always access the well for water. There are even a couple of kerosene lamps for a homey feel. Ya just never know when Mother Nature will throw you a curve ball.

 

[Paystar]

I installed one on my B2620 same as how you are doing it. Direct battery power, made sure wires were routed so as to never rub through, fused and just bought a factory power port from a tractor model that came from factory with one.

Like you say, not keyed power, so you have to be sure you don't leave something plugged in over night. But I wanted it for the heated shield on my snowmobile helmet I use when snow blowing. Works great.

 

[Doofy]

Duh! Why didn't I think of that? I have heated snowmobile face shields and this would work great! Thanks

 

[lennyzx11]

I have 2 laying on my "projects" shelf to be done on my Kubota. I got them from Amazon and they are marine grade for boats.

 

[Paystar]

Doofy.....I bought a new G-Max Trekka GM11 Dual Sport helmet with the heated shield. I still continued to freeze my face all last winter because I am too stubborn to try something different and thought it would impede my visibility.
Then one day I finally gave in because it was very cold and high winds. It was awesome!! The shield didn't even get wet. It stayed warm enough to keep it dry.

I don't want a cabbed tractor so that worked out perfect.

 

[Paystar]

Just in case it helps anyone also......I used one of those hole saws on the drill bit for wood (I forget what size I used though) and it works perfect for cutting the hole in a plastic panel and it was the exact size for the power port.

 

[alexsbuddy]

Great idea! The one I am looking at is marine grade and requires a 1.25" hole. As luck has it...I just happen to have that size hole bit for my drill.

 

[alexsbuddy]

Finished the install of the 12v power port on my XG3037 today. Installed it on the lower left console cover. Here are the parts I used:
*Inline 15 amp fuse holder (included the 15 amp fuse)...Amazon $4.99.
*12v marine grade power port with dust cover (included two female terminals)...Amazon $7.99.
*2 ring terminals (to connect wires to battery terminals).
*1 butt terminal (to add an additional length of wire to the inline fuse holder).
*5.5' of red 16 gauge wire
*6.5"of black 16 gauge wire
*5' black flex tubing for conduit.
Total cost was approx $20....give or take a $1 or $2.

Made up the wiring harness first. Removed the lower left console cover and then carefully drilled a 1" hole for the power port. Had to slightly enlarge the hole using a Dremel w/ a grinder bit. Installed the power port, connected the wiring harness to the port, and reinstalled the console cover. Ran the wiring harness along the same path as the other wiring harnesses and connected the wires to the battery. Zip-tied the wiring harness as needed.

Glad to have this done....will use this 12v power port for many tasks and always good to have alternate power sources in case we lose power at the house.

 

[sixdogs]

This is a good idea. Any pic of the end result?

 

[alexsbuddy]

sixdogs, I have been trying to post pictures but for some reason keep getting an error message. Not sure why.....have posted pictures in the past. I think there may be an issue with this feature on the forum. Will keep trying.

 

[alexsbuddy]

Gonna try posting links to the pictures and see if that works. Here are the links:

Dropbox - Power Port A.jpg

Dropbox - Power Port B.jpg

Dropbox - Power Port C.jpg

 

[sixdogs]

Gonna try posting links to the pictures and see if that works. Here are the links:

Dropbox - Power Port A.jpg

Dropbox - Power Port B.jpg

Dropbox - Power Port C.jpg

Very clever. It looks like it belongs.




Here are your pics below

 

[alexsbuddy]

Now that I have the 12v power port installed, I am wondering if I can use this to plug a battery float charger into to maintain the battery during the cold season. Since it is a direct connect to the battery, I would think this would work. I know there are battery tenders available with a 12v power port adapter. What do you think?

 

[alexpops]

Should work, but if it was me, I'd worry about voltage drop & extended undercharging (especially if you're not paying attention for long periods). 16 is pretty wimpy & has a lot of resistance (relatively speaking). I'd feel better if the wire was at least 14 gauge & would say no problem @ 12 gauge. Part of it depends on the float charger your using. Some of the cheaper foreign ones are really crap in terms of regulators & consistent output & can result in premature battery failure due to sulfating. (I've got an old charger/inverter in a sailboat that regularly kills batteries in 3 years this way) Just my opinion.

 

[alexsbuddy]

alexpops, I am going to use a 3 amp four-stage Battery Tender with float/maintenance. I have used the same one on my motorcycle for several years on a battery that is 7 years old and has worked well. Thanks for the input on the wire gauge....I probably should re-examine my choice.

 

[dragoneggs]

This is what I did... for my battery tender but it could easily feed a USB port or other...

 

[Doofy]

This is what I did... for my battery tender but it could easily feed a USB port or other...

View attachment 535974 View attachment 535975 View attachment 535976

Looks good!

 

[alexsbuddy]

That is very cool! Did you build that port or can it be purchased?

 

[dragoneggs]

That is very cool! Did you build that port or can it be purchased?

Thank you.

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