...and it turned out OK. It's 100% functional, but it doesn't meet my wife's strict "beauty" standards. I was initially planning to make this a hidden charging compartment, but due to time I changed direction and have a feeling "plan B" is in my near future.What I did was cut down a Ikea spice rack to hold phones & tablets and installed 2 12v dual USB power sockets in the side of the cabinet.Checkout the install video below (which I think is better than the actual project):https://youtu.be/SOtJ3a2DK24And here's our related blog post:http://www.rvcircus.com/how-to-make-a-usb-charging-station-for-your-rv/

Very nice...good idea and first rate job....but, no way is my wife going to let me do chisel work at the dining room table...:M

downtheroad wrote:Very nice...good idea and first rate job....but, no way is my wife going to let me do chisel work at the dining room table...:MHa! She yelled at me once when I put a big white paint streak across the table. I compromised by getting a cutting mat.Thanks for checking it out!

Nice work there. I did similar with a small rack like that in my previous camper. Except, I hung it with Velcro strips. Worked perfect for holding car keys, billfold and glasses. We're slowly picking up multiple plugs that plug into an existing outlet that has the built in USB plug and still has the normal 120v plug. Almost everything is going with USB power cords! It's almost a "have-to" now! Nice job, well done!

DutchmenSport wrote:Nice work there. I did similar with a small rack like that in my previous camper. Except, I hung it with Velcro strips. Worked perfect for holding car keys, billfold and glasses. We're slowly picking up multiple plugs that plug into an existing outlet that has the built in USB plug and still has the normal 120v plug. Almost everything is going with USB power cords! It's almost a "have-to" now! Nice job, well done!Thanks! It seems like everything we buy now comes with a USB charger. We have phones, tablets, camera, battery chargers for cameras, portable batteries, etc. that all plug into the same USB ports. I was going to add a few 120v/USB outlets and still might, but wanted to have the option to charge when running off the battery if needed so I went with 12v.

I went with the USB 12volt plugs also. Figured I always have 12 volt if I'm running on battery or 110v, then I don't have to think about which USB port to use.

Made a USB charging station this weekend | Good Sam Community

18 Replies

westend
Explorer
Mar 14, 2016
Thanks for the information!! We have the space, it's more about making the project easy.

Nightlight and two USB tap, plugs into existing 120V outlet.
2001400ex
Explorer
Mar 13, 2016
DrewE wrote:
2001400ex wrote:
I have a question. If I take a regular plug in socket (that requires the camper to be plugged in) and replace it with a cigarette lighter 12v, will it just be plug and play where I don't need the camper to be plugged in? Or do I need to change a bunch of wiring to accomplish that?

You definitely will need to do some wiring as well. The normal 120V socket is connected to the 120V electrical system in the RV, while the 12V lighter sockets need to be connected to the 12V electrical system. Connecting the 12V sockets to the 120V system directly would be a very bad idea, to say the least...a significant shock and fire hazard, and practically certain instant death for any 12V items that are plugged in when connected to shore power.

Unless you're lacking the physical space, it would be easier to add 12V sockets without removing the 120V outlet.

Thanks for the information!! We have the space, it's more about making the project easy.
DrewE
Explorer II
Mar 11, 2016
2001400ex wrote:
I have a question. If I take a regular plug in socket (that requires the camper to be plugged in) and replace it with a cigarette lighter 12v, will it just be plug and play where I don't need the camper to be plugged in? Or do I need to change a bunch of wiring to accomplish that?

You definitely will need to do some wiring as well. The normal 120V socket is connected to the 120V electrical system in the RV, while the 12V lighter sockets need to be connected to the 12V electrical system. Connecting the 12V sockets to the 120V system directly would be a very bad idea, to say the least...a significant shock and fire hazard, and practically certain instant death for any 12V items that are plugged in when connected to shore power.

Unless you're lacking the physical space, it would be easier to add 12V sockets without removing the 120V outlet.
SparkDr
Explorer
Mar 11, 2016
Don't forget these little guys. They plug right into the 12v power port on the coax plate on many units. They're not a cure-all for every application, but it is certainly one of the cheapest and easiest solutions ($8 on Amazon and 2 seconds to plug it in).

USB Charger
2001400ex
Explorer
Mar 11, 2016
I have a question. If I take a regular plug in socket (that requires the camper to be plugged in) and replace it with a cigarette lighter 12v, will it just be plug and play where I don't need the camper to be plugged in? Or do I need to change a bunch of wiring to accomplish that?
RVcircus
Explorer II
Feb 11, 2016
rrev wrote:
I like it. I plan on putting those in the bunks. Kids always listening to music so I figured that's the easiest place for them. I just want to find some cloth pockets I can hang in there to put the devices in.

That's what my wife wants to do for the kids. I think she's going to sew up some pockets and I'll put grommets in them. The sockets were only $10, so it's not too bad.
rrev
Explorer
Feb 11, 2016
I like it. I plan on putting those in the bunks. Kids always listening to music so I figured that's the easiest place for them. I just want to find some cloth pockets I can hang in there to put the devices in.
Naio
Explorer II
Feb 11, 2016
Cool, and thanks!
RVcircus
Explorer II
Feb 11, 2016
Naio wrote:
Will you post a still photo, for those of us who are camping and don't have the bandwidth for video?

Here's a photo
Naio
Explorer II
Feb 11, 2016
Will you post a still photo, for those of us who are camping and don't have the bandwidth for video?