Outlets of the Future aka in-wall USB Charger

Step 2 Create a templete

1. Plug the Mini USB chargers into the outlets. Because the USB ports are off center I decided to put them both toward the center.  I think it looked better than having them the same direction or both on the outside.

2. Create a Template by placing tape over both chargers as shown in the photo, then cut the tae around the outer edge and don't forget to cut out the USB ports.

3. Mark the outline of the USB chargers on the front (outside) of the Face plate, so you know where the template should go.

4. Pull the Template off of the Chargers and apply it on to the Face plate.  using the outline on step 3 to proper place the template.

5.  Mark the Face to show where the USB ports need to be cut.

6.  Cut the Metal Tabs off of the outlet  so it will fit into the electrical box.  The Face plate will hold every thing into place.  Sorry for got to take a picture.
 

Comments

[theo67]

Why not just plug them into an outlet directly when needed and forget all the mods.  Why create work when you do not need to, as well as endangering yourself fiddling around with high voltage and bare wires.!!!!

[hammerhead1]

Occam's razor applys even to "those who must tinker." The simple solution is always the good/best solution. Plug 'em into the wall when you need power for your I phone.

[Project D]

Because we here at Instructables.com are tinkerers, and tinkerers tinker. Do we really *need* any other reason to create more work for ourselves? Why cook food when organically-grown raw food is more nutritious? Because fire makes it better! And tinkering makes *ANY* device better!

[jo'connell]

Well said!

[theo67]

Point taken. Do you cook your roots and berries? Strange????

[Project D]

Some, yes. Because fire makes it better.

[mrxavia]

Fire also makes it easier to digest, reducing the time & volume of food required to eat and allowing more time for tinkering ;-)

Cooked food, (especially meat) is why we are tinkerers not tree dwellers :-)

[uberdum05]

It looks neater...

[ItsTheHobbs]

A) It's USB. You cant plug USB cables directly into a wall without this.
2) If you could, it would kill whatever device you are using because the standard wall socket has WAY to much electricity to charge anything with.

[facts717]

I would not recommend cutting anything off of an outlet. I dont mean to bash you project, man, but this is not safe. The outlet in the wall can short out and possibly start a fire if you do this.

[Wence]

If you read the instructable carefully, the parts that are being cut off have no electrical connections whatsoever, for grounding or anything else. Also, the glue is not anywhere it could even come across an electrical current. Essentially all you are doing is taking an unmodified (except for the case) power outlet, plugging in unmodified USB chargers, and mounting the whole assembly inside a wall.

[ivaneduardo747]

Yes, especially if you are using strong glues because most of them are flamable.

[BiggBob2]

  Should be advised to check the depth of the outlet box and if there is enough room to fit the outlet and any existing wires. The metal tabs at the top and bottom of the outlet must be cut off cleanly and not leave sharp edges.