Just curious if anyone has added a place to charge their phones (off the battery) in their trailers. We have several USB ports but unfortunately they only run off of AC, it would be awesome if these were 12v instead...
Very easy to do. Best to wire directly to an unused fuse slot on the converter panel with #12AWG wire. Many combination panels are available allowing USB ports and/or auto cigarette lighter sockets. Place them wherever you find convenient. Some folks opt for a combination including a digital voltmeter for battery monitoring. If you go with a cigarette lighter socket there are many plugin USB adapters available. Search the archive section of this forum for ideas.
By the bed in our 21BHS:
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/6/5213/30162377806_a3be7c0040_z.jpg)
Power runs from a splitter at the 12v socket by the TV.
When we're outside:
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/6/5785/30182659554_1a55247134_z.jpg)
Power runs from a connector at my rear batteries.
yep...added a shelf to hold the devices and a dual usb charging station. the power is fed by the main dc light switch by the door, so i dont have to worry about it (or anything plugged into it) draining the batteries when not in use
(http://i.imgur.com/dibK3G6.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/jlaLMMB.jpg)
That is really cool! I have to investigate the usb charging station that was installed by the factory doesn't work anymore on mine there is one day I had two device plugged and it became really hot and stopped working. Could it be a fuse or something?
Thanks everyone for the replies! And Eddie, I completely forgot about the 12v socket for the TV. That's an easy thing to hook into until I install something myself...
And Paul, it could be just a fuse but I would guess there is something else on that circuit that you would have noticed not working if so.
Quote from: Paul on May 01, 2017, 10:42:01 PM
That is really cool! I have to investigate the usb charging station that was installed by the factory doesn't work anymore on mine there is one day I had two device plugged and it became really hot and stopped working. Could it be a fuse or something?
Blown fuses don't cause things to overheat but overheating things cause blown fuses. The USB port probably failed, maybe due to overload. The fuse may also have blown. If you find a blown fuse try replacing it, but the USB port is probably defective.
Quote from: charliem on May 02, 2017, 12:13:04 AM
Quote from: Paul on May 01, 2017, 10:42:01 PM
That is really cool! I have to investigate the usb charging station that was installed by the factory doesn't work anymore on mine there is one day I had two device plugged and it became really hot and stopped working. Could it be a fuse or something?
Blown fuses don't cause things to overheat but overheating things cause blown fuses. The USB port probably failed, maybe due to overload. The fuse may also have blown. If you find a blown fuse try replacing it, but the USB port is probably defective.
Thanks Charlie for your input. It was probably overloaded it happened right when my wife plugged a second device
Quote from: Paul on May 02, 2017, 07:10:23 AM
Thanks Charlie for your input. It was probably overloaded it happened right when my wife plugged a second device
Replace fuse or USB charger. Easier than replacing wife ;D
Here's where I installed my phone chargers.
We travel with a pair of Ryobi One+ LED Lanterns, which the new ones have USB charging port. Also have a travel charger to recharge those batteries when we do have shore power.
We also always have at least 2 USB power sticks that start the trip fully charged.
All our USB charger cables have dual connectors that drive micro-USB and Apple Lightening connectors, which minimizes the number of cords we carry to clutter things up.
Bought the usb you mentioned but it doesn't work either. I double checked the 30 amp fuse and it is good. I should be able to just hook up the red and black to the new usb but no dice. The cig lighter next to it works fine. Any suggestions?
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20181020/decb308a3bebdb3706322309ce8deee7.jpg)
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Is the problem with:
a) no voltage in the wires or
b) no output from the USB even if hooked up to working wiring?
Not sure if voltage in wires. What volt tester would I use for that?
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Quote from: dlb53151 on November 02, 2018, 10:44:08 PM
Not sure if voltage in wires. What volt tester would I use for that?
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Any simple digital voltmeter from your local hardware or big box store will work. Get one with auto-range. Hook up the meter leads to the wires and see if there's voltage present when the circuit is supposed to be on. Don't worry about getting the + and - correct for the test; if you get it wrong the meter will just read a negative number. If you need specific help, post a photo and someone will respond with a "how-to".
You could use a digital multimeter or even a test light.
https://www.amazon.ca/Tivolii-Digital-Multimeter-Voltmeter-Ohmmeter/dp/B07K2N4CZ5/ref=sr_1_15?ie=UTF8&qid=1541354062&sr=8-15&keywords=digital+multimeter
https://www.amazon.ca/DealMux-Motorcycle-Continuity-Voltage-Circuit/dp/B072K7WRBC/ref=sr_1_18?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1541354217&sr=1-18&keywords=automotive+test+light
Both can be either expensive or cheap depending on the quality. If you are not gonna use very often I will get the cheapest. Your local Walmart or automotive store would carry both. If you're running on battery power, you would expect 12.6 V or so, and if you were plugged into shore power, you would expect around 14.4 V or so.
Both the cig lighter and USB are connected to the same main wires.
I got the tester and the end wires that went to the usb are not powered. However the main wires have power.
My assessment is the end wires are too thin. I am gong to get some heavier gauge (same gauge as main wires) and patch to usb with wire connector caps - I expect it will work. Camper is in storage now for winter so will finish in spring.
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Thin gauge wires might result in low voltage to your usb outlet but not no voltage. If you have zero voltage that is more than likely a wiring or a connection problem.
David
It has to be the thin wires - the USB works when connected to main wires. Not sure why LL would use 18 gauge wires to tap into the main 12 gauge wires for the USB....
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That "thin" 18 gauge wire isn't your problem. 18 gauge wire has an ampacity, ie capability of carrying current, of 20 amps DC. That USB connector typically uses only about 2 amps. The voltage drop at 2 amps even if 10' long is only 1/4 volt.
Go back to where the 18 gauge splices to the 12 gauge wire. Open the connection and measure the voltage. I suspect you have a bad connection there or at your USB connector or there is no voltage at the 12 volt splice.
David