Where are Power/USB locations

[Lize]

I've a 2019 Redeye on the way, hoping for test/registration to be complete by 5th August

The insurance company insists on a tracking device being fitted. They've agree to a stand alone plug in box sort as I wasn't keen on a chimp chopping into the wiring loom.

Problem is now I look at the boxes the battery life is really poor, some claim 90 days on standby but they all seem to get bad reviews. Even though they send a text when power is low I'll no doubt still forget to charge it up. I don't really want to hook it up from the battery with ignition feed.

What I'm wondering and hope you can help with is where are any USB ports, are there any in the back of the centre console or similar location where I am unlikely to want to use it? Thinking I could take the USB socket out (replace with a blank) and use for the box and also hide it in the console perhaps.

Other than that I'm contemplating using a power bank to hopefully reduce number of charges but then I'll have to locate it somewhere accessible and it doesn't seem very secure just to chuck it under a seat or in the boot.

Sorry if in the wrong section, wasn't sure where to post so chose interior.
Thanks

 

[SilverBillet]

What kind of tracking device do you think works off of a USB? I think it has to be hardwired in? I cannot believe the insurance company can require you to have a tracking device? How much discount do you get with a tracking device? I would get a LoJack installed. I assume you can get that or something like it in GB? The installers can hide it.

 

[Lize]

Zero discount, I've tried quite a few insurance companies and specialist brokers, I've been unable to find anyone who will insure it without. In UK vehicle value £100K+ needs a tracker and some even insist on £50K+.

In my mind by saying I could fit a black box type one means they are effectively willing to cover without. On a recorded call the operator even suggested I could get a cheap one of Amazon and pop it under the seat .

Something along these lines:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Locator-Po...8C4E&pd_rd_wg=lniNE&ref_=pd_gw_ci_mcx_mr_hp_d
Not looked into detail but can get data only SIM for £2 a month, need to look into boxes a bit more as some only work on 2G.

 

[Lize]

PS. I don't want a tracker, just something to satisfy requirement but if it were to get stolen it needs to work or insurance will not pay out.

 

[Hunter]

Cars come with uconnect 1st year. That in itself is a tracking device.
Challengers have a USB hub inside armrest.
Be careful.
Some hubs go straight to battery.
@Diboblo might be able to give you more info.

 

[Lize]

Thanks, the uConnect is an interesting idea but might not work in UK, can't create an account as only has European Alfa and Fiat options so no Apple Watch restart etc on my Ram.

Will be cautious about the USB straight to battery part, maybe just pop one on a power bank to start with and see how I get along.

 

[DGatzby]

I think the cig lighter port in the console compartment is 100% power, just get an adapter for a USB and plug it in there. They will find it quick if it is stolen, but that is the easy place to get power when the car is off for the device. The USB ports die when the car is off.

 

[Lize]

Thanks very much, I'm tending to think it would be better to only charge while on the move and avoid any possibilities of it going wrong and causing battery drain. I'm not going to leave it parked for any great length of time so if I get one with more than a few days standby it should be enough topping it up while driving.

I'll go ahead and look at them in a bit more detail and get one on order.

 

[SilverBillet]

What do other people in the UK do to resolve this? Around here, we have shops that specialize in stereo and alarm installations. You must have some shops like that in the UK? A do-it-yourself install may be penny wise but pound foolish?

 

[Stormtrooper1320]

Zero discount, I've tried quite a few insurance companies and specialist brokers, I've been unable to find anyone who will insure it without. In UK vehicle value £100K+ needs a tracker and some even insist on £50K+.

In my mind by saying I could fit a black box type one means they are effectively willing to cover without. On a recorded call the operator even suggested I could get a cheap one of Amazon and pop it under the seat .

Something along these lines:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Locator-Po...8C4E&pd_rd_wg=lniNE&ref_=pd_gw_ci_mcx_mr_hp_d
Not looked into detail but can get data only SIM for £2 a month, need to look into boxes a bit more as some only work on 2G.

How about something like this......
it looks like you could plug it into the usb on your car and leave it hooked up. If you're going tod rive every few days, shouldn't be an issue.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/SpyTrack-N...E8XYMC7CZYP&psc=1&refRID=R2TWZW9H6E8XYMC7CZYP

 

[HWDan]

Sending out the "hellcat" signal to other UK members like @The Englishman, surely he may have experience with these trackers to add here.

 

[The Englishman]

Sending out the "hellcat" signal to other UK members like @The Englishman, surely he may have experience with these trackers to add here.

I had to have a monitored tracker due to vehicle value,but anything will be better than nothing and for £50 the Amazon one could be money well spent.

 

[Diboblo]

Check your rear power distribution block (fuse box).

Fuse 18 is set up for either switched power, or constant on. To set up for ignition switched power, remove the fuse. Looking down at it, you will notice there are 3 sockets, for that fuse. Two of them will keep the fuse in line, with the rest. Two of them will offset the fuse.

With the fuse in the offset position, the circuit is switched. This controls the power port (not the usb), in the center console. You can get a plug in USB adapter, for that port... connect to it and just leave the tracker in the console. It will charge with ignition on and standby, when ignition is off.

If you want to be discreet, you can install an add a circuit to fuse 18 and wire it to a mobile usb port, in the trunk, below the floor.

Here is a photo if my power distribution block, with an add a circuit that turns on my subwoofer amp. It is in the offset position:

Bob

 

[The Englishman]

I've a 2019 Redeye on the way, hoping for test/registration to be complete by 5th August

The insurance company insists on a tracking device being fitted. They've agree to a stand alone plug in box sort as I wasn't keen on a chimp chopping into the wiring loom.

Problem is now I look at the boxes the battery life is really poor, some claim 90 days on standby but they all seem to get bad reviews. Even though they send a text when power is low I'll no doubt still forget to charge it up. I don't really want to hook it up from the battery with ignition feed.

What I'm wondering and hope you can help with is where are any USB ports, are there any in the back of the centre console or similar location where I am unlikely to want to use it? Thinking I could take the USB socket out (replace with a blank) and use for the box and also hide it in the console perhaps.

Other than that I'm contemplating using a power bank to hopefully reduce number of charges but then I'll have to locate it somewhere accessible and it doesn't seem very secure just to chuck it under a seat or in the boot.

Sorry if in the wrong section, wasn't sure where to post so chose interior.
Thanks

Heres the engineer fitting mine.

 

[Lize]

What do other people in the UK do to resolve this? Around here, we have shops that specialize in stereo and alarm installations. You must have some shops like that in the UK? A do-it-yourself install may be penny wise but pound foolish?

Yes we do, its not the cost so much as not wanting someone to needlessly mess about with the wiring.

How about something like this......
it looks like you could plug it into the usb on your car and leave it hooked up. If you're going tod rive every few days, shouldn't be an issue.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/SpyTrack-N...E8XYMC7CZYP&psc=1&refRID=R2TWZW9H6E8XYMC7CZYP

Yes, thats the sort of thing I was looking at, the monthly on that ones quite high so was looking at a few alternatives.

Thanks everyone and @Diboblo, thats really handy info

 

[Lize]

Just thought I'd update, I got a stand alone tracker box with a battery that should last 3 years on stealth mode and pay as you go SIM card.
Got it from an auto parts store rather than from Amazon as couldn't find one with that long a lasting battery.
https://www.halfords.com/motoring/car-security/itrack-long-life-wireless-gps-tracker-407318.html

Have hidden it in the car and can now forget about it, tested a couple of times and seems to work OK.
Made in China of course.

 

[BULL]

Check your rear power distribution block (fuse box).

Fuse 18 is set up for either switched power, or constant on. To set up for ignition switched power, remove the fuse. Looking down at it, you will notice there are 3 sockets, for that fuse. Two of them will keep the fuse in line, with the rest. Two of them will offset the fuse.

With the fuse in the offset position, the circuit is switched. This controls the power port (not the usb), in the center console. You can get a plug in USB adapter, for that port... connect to it and just leave the tracker in the console. It will charge with ignition on and standby, when ignition is off.

If you want to be discreet, you can install an add a circuit to fuse 18 and wire it to a mobile usb port, in the trunk, below the floor.

Here is a photo if my power distribution block, with an add a circuit that turns on my subwoofer amp. It is in the offset position:

Bob

This got a rarely used "Bookmark" on my account.

You should feel honored and privileged both...

 

[Diboblo]

This got a rarely used "Bookmark" on my account.

You should feel honored and privileged both...

I wait, with anticipation, for days like this...

Bob