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mielock's avatar
mielock
Explorer
Sep 16, 2014

Charging Station mod

I took advantage of some unused, empty space in my entertainment center to address a growing problem within our RV, which was a place to charge our many devices such as phones, iPad, iPods and GPS watches. I installed a 4 gang cut in box which has (2) four port HDMI chargers, an electrical outlet, an HDMI port which is a pass through to my TV, and a switch that controls some strip LED lighting to illuminate all these areas. I relocated my TV up/down switch outside the entertainment center. All necessary AC and DC power supplies were conveniently located in this spacing ready to be tapped. Sorry about the lame "before" picture. I always forget to take them in advance and am lucky to even have this one.









  • louiskathy's avatar
    louiskathy
    Explorer
    Sep 16, 2014
    Great job but it's the pile of gadgets on the shelf getting charged that get all tangled up. and if they are not charging... the cords get all tangled up. I found a multi-pocket cloth basket in the cosmetic aisle at Wal-Mart... smaller than a "hobby" basket. Keeps me sane and I can quickly see what's charging and what's missing.

    and if you add a power strip you can unplug the power strip and pick the power strip up in one hand, grab the cloth basket with the other and take it back into the house without losing anything.
  • DutchmenSport's avatar
    DutchmenSport
    Explorer
    Sep 16, 2014
    jfkmk wrote:
    Beautiful! Just one question, though, and I'm guilty of it too....when did camping start including bringing so much electronic stuff??


    It's called camping in "luxury!" Actually, our "toys" is what makes camping fun. Some just like 18th century toys and others like 21st century toys.
  • jfkmk's avatar
    jfkmk
    Explorer
    Sep 16, 2014
    Beautiful! Just one question, though, and I'm guilty of it too....when did camping start including bringing so much electronic stuff??
  • hedge's avatar
    hedge
    Explorer
    Sep 16, 2014
    I did something similar in my Truck camper, but I used blue sea 12v plugs. To me it's more useful as I rarely have power and I can charge my devices if I'm plugged in or not.
  • DutchmenSport's avatar
    DutchmenSport
    Explorer
    Sep 16, 2014
    I was watching HGTV yesterday and they were talking about installing USB plugs in your home wall outlet. The plugs come with the standard 120 volt plug and also USB ports. They said these have been out on the market for about a year now. I think that's a GREAT idea! Your's is the first I've seen installed in an RV. But there again, I didn't know these even existed until yesterday.

    Nice job there. I have additional space in my TT where I could easily install something like that ... actually, several of them. Thanks for sharing!
  • gwalter's avatar
    gwalter
    Explorer III
    Sep 16, 2014
    I did a similar mod in the back of the bedroom bookcase by the bed. There were no outlets near the bed so I added a single box with 2 USB ports and a 120 outlet. I was able to connect thru the washer/ dryer outlet in the front closet.
  • RoyB's avatar
    RoyB
    Explorer II
    Sep 16, 2014
    Nice Job. Like the added cabinet to house the devices being charged.

    I did the same idea in my OFF-ROAD POPUP trailer setup but only provided a 120VAC multi-outlet receptacle mounted to the back of a cabinet close to the home entertainment items. This 120VAC outlet is fed by my 600WATT PSW INVERTER installed close to the battery bank. Another similar drop also goes to the tent bed area where we normally sleep. My 600WATT PSW INVERTER is always ON even when we are at regular electric sites.



    Roy Ken
  • tenbear's avatar
    tenbear
    Explorer
    Sep 16, 2014
    Great job. I'll have to look for a place to do a similar mod.

    Thanks for posting.

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