USB power

[Gary Bainbridge]

Does anyone happen to know the power capabilities of the USB ports on the MG4? I need to run a small cooler (for insulin), which takes about 24 watts, and it would be useful to plug it into the rear USB port if it has sufficient power. The 12-volt socket at the front is a long way away, plus it is already occupied.

 

[Grriff]

The USB port will supply at 5V, so 24W implies a 5A supply which the USB socket will certainly not provide.
What voltage does the cooler require?

 

[MG Clive]

Won't it need to be more than 5 volts anyway ?

 

[tsedge]

The 12V socket can supply up to 120W, I believe, so if you had a suitable 12v-to-USB converter that can handle the current, it should work.

Best to use the V2L adapter for any large loads.

 

[Gary Bainbridge]

The cooler requires 12 volts (actually anything over 8 volts) and there are suitable up-converters, but it would need at least 5 amps of current at 5 volts to be available.

 

[Gary Bainbridge]

Best to use the V2L adapter for any large loads.

It is to keep the drug cold while driving.

 

[MG Clive]

How big is your cooler Gary, would it fit in the centre console under the armrest?

 

[tsedge]

It is to keep the drug cold while driving.

Then the 12V socket is your best option even if already occupied and a long way away.

 

[Gary Bainbridge]

How big is your cooler Gary, would it fit in the centre console under the armrest?

It might fit in the section with the sliding top, but it would be a tight fit. I've just ordered a 12-volt splitter/extension lead which may make it possible but it's going to be a job hiding all the extra cable.

 

[DixieTGS]

If it is not just for occasional use, I would look at fitting a permanently wired 12V socket in the back of the arm rest or other place of your choosing. 12V splitters are easy to dislodge accidentally.

I would hope this would be a simple and relatively cheap job to get done professionally if you don't want to do it.

Hmm just thought, does the fridge have a warning alarm when disconnected? If so ignore the above.

 

[Gary Bainbridge]

If it is not just for occasional use, I would look at fitting a permanently wired 12V socket in the back of the arm rest or other place of your choosing.

I would certainly do that, but it is a lease car and not my own, so anything like that is not allowed.

 

[Gary Bainbridge]

Hmm just thought, does the fridge have a warning alarm when disconnected? If so ignore the above.

Luckily, it has an internal Li battery, so it would not be an immediate problem, only once the battery is exhausted.

 

[Ian Key]

I guess the fridge runs off the battery and that is charged through the USB port so it should be OK.
The other thing to consider is that the USB port won't be powered when the car is locked.

 

[siteguru]

Neither will the 12V socket.