Looking to install a DC Digital Voltmeter/Dual USB 2 Port/DC12V Power Socket Three Hole Panel.Can anyone answer if these should be wired in series or parallel?Moderator edit to re-size pictures to forum recommended limit of 640px maximum width.

Parallel of course. You want 12v going to each device.

Bucky Badger wrote:12thgenusa wrote:Parallel of course. You want 12v going to each device.^^this. That looks like a nice unit Gaffer222 ...Source link?http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MODXVO8/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1#Ask

Decided not to install in the same location and also not to install the USB. Don't want the parasitic draw when dry camping. Here are some pics. Apparently Keystone decided we don't need a 12 volt charging outlet anymore?

I'd install it. Just use a switch and two wires for the USB portion. Or double that to include the meter but I bet the meter doesn't use 200 ma.

I bought the single, USB unit and installed it in my RV. The "parasitic" draw is negligible if you are not charging anything; just a single small LED, and likely much less than the 12VDC meter's multiple LED segments. Actually, the only downside to the USB section is that the LED is bright and on all the time. I mounted it inside a cabinet, so it's not an issue, but it would be annoying at night otherwise. Personally, I love having the double USB port; no more bulky cell chargers plugged in every available outlet!

DC Wiring question | Good Sam Community

12thgenusa
Explorer
Apr 18, 2015
Parallel of course. You want 12v going to each device.
Gaffer222
Explorer
Apr 18, 2015
Bucky Badger wrote:
12thgenusa wrote:
Parallel of course. You want 12v going to each device.

^^this.

That looks like a nice unit Gaffer222 ...Source link?

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MODXVO8/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1#Ask
Gaffer222
Explorer
Apr 18, 2015
Decided not to install in the same location and also not to install the USB. Don't want the parasitic draw when dry camping. Here are some pics. Apparently Keystone decided we don't need a 12 volt charging outlet anymore?
westend
Explorer
Apr 18, 2015
I'd install it. Just use a switch and two wires for the USB portion. Or double that to include the meter but I bet the meter doesn't use 200 ma.
4x4van
Explorer III
Apr 19, 2015
I bought the single, USB unit and installed it in my RV. The "parasitic" draw is negligible if you are not charging anything; just a single small LED, and likely much less than the 12VDC meter's multiple LED segments. Actually, the only downside to the USB section is that the LED is bright and on all the time. I mounted it inside a cabinet, so it's not an issue, but it would be annoying at night otherwise. Personally, I love having the double USB port; no more bulky cell chargers plugged in every available outlet!
Gaffer222
Explorer
Apr 19, 2015
westend wrote:
I'd install it. Just use a switch and two wires for the USB portion. Or double that to include the meter but I bet the meter doesn't use 200 ma.

Specs say the meter draws 10ma
12thgenusa
Explorer
Apr 19, 2015
Gaffer222 wrote:
westend wrote:
I'd install it. Just use a switch and two wires for the USB portion. Or double that to include the meter but I bet the meter doesn't use 200 ma.

Specs say the meter draws 10ma

That's only .24 Ah per day or 1.7 Ah per week. Negligible.
gcvt
Explorer
Apr 19, 2015
4x4van wrote:
I bought the single, USB unit and installed it in my RV. The "parasitic" draw is negligible if you are not charging anything; just a single small LED, and likely much less than the 12VDC meter's multiple LED segments. Actually, the only downside to the USB section is that the LED is bright and on all the time. I mounted it inside a cabinet, so it's not an issue, but it would be annoying at night otherwise. Personally, I love having the double USB port; no more bulky cell chargers plugged in every available outlet!

I recently installed three dual-USB outlets in our Class B - two on the dash and one in the back. The one in the back is the same unit pictured above but without the battery monitor. I installed a separate dual battery monitor in the rear of the van. All three USB outlets had blue LEDs which are a nightmare, so I just drilled them out and killed them.

All three USBs and the cigarette lighter should have no draw. Then I put the backlit dual battery monitor on a toggle switch - don't really need it on unless I'm there looking at it anyway. However, even with the dual battery monitor's back light on, the manufacturer claims it only draws 12ma. Figured 0 was better than 12. At first I was just going toggle switch the backlight.

Either way, we use the dual USBs a lot! So handy. iPhones, iPads, rechargeable bluetooth speakers, 12v white noise machine, etc.
RTBabich
Explorer
Apr 20, 2015
4x4van wrote:
... Actually, the only downside to the USB section is that the LED is bright and on all the time. I mounted it inside a cabinet, so it's not an issue, but it would be annoying at night otherwise. ...

A little dot of black electrical tape over the LED might work.
Did same thing on an old movie camera over the red RECORD light so
people wouldn't know when the camera was on.
TT_Tim
Explorer
Apr 20, 2015
I built this panel to go in my end table:

Forum Discussion

DC Wiring question

About DIY Maintenance

Related Content

Reese DC question

Battery (DC) to Shore Power Wiring

Hard wired EMS questions

wiring question

Truck to camper wiring questions