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12v usb in wall charging socket installation?

brianosaur
Explorer
Explorer
My 32ft TT has only one double 12v usb charging socket in the front bedroom.

While there are numerous 120v outlets that we plug regular phone chargers into when we have shore power at campsites, the one 12v socket is a bit annoying when we dry camp.

My previous TT had 12v usb sockets in each kids bunk and at the center tv console area.

I see they have sockets on AMAZON that I am hoping to install.

Apart from physically running 12v wire from the battery or kill switch in the front pass through, would there be any problems with cable length or circuit overload?
Or is the wattage so low it shouldnt matter?

What guage wire cable should I run if I need say 20ft to the tv area?
9 REPLIES 9

Lynnmor
Explorer
Explorer
The output of the radio is not what you want, it is the maximum input. Better yet, get a good idea of the power required to operate your added loads, it might be very little.

Your added fuse idea is the best route with no guessing or calculating required.

corvettekent
Explorer
Explorer
I have installed three USB ports in our 5th wheel. I tapped into any close by 12 volt curcit I could find. They are powered 24/7 as if nothing is plugged into them they are not using more then a mA.
I like the built in volt meter in the one that you bought.
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brianosaur
Explorer
Explorer
bigorange wrote:
brianosaur wrote:
Lynnmor wrote:
Can you tap into wiring to a lighting circuit? Most are protected by a 15 amp fuse, so use #14 wire.


Okay now that I am digging around, ^this^ got me thinking with an 'ahh ha'!

The Furion radio/dvd player is in the wall console under the TV and right where I want the socket.

Can I just tap into that 12v line with a wire run of less than two feet? Its a 15a fuse.

I guess I should check the radio manual to see how many amps it draws first?

It doesnโ€™t necessarily mean itโ€™s the proper way to do it or rated properly, but this is exactly what I did in our old trailer...tapped into the radio power wire to install USB jack nearby. New trailer has a ton of USB jacks...I guess thatโ€™s a premium addition to trailers now.


Okay great & thanks!

Just bought THIS little socket with a built in power switch.

Going to take the radio out tomorrow and see whats what.
The manual isnt really specific on how much 12v power draw.
I lists "4x24 W RMS" which is 24w for each of the 4 speakers max, I assume.

If that's right then 24x4= 96w max
96 watts / 12 volts = 8 amps (there is a 10a blade fuse on the radio itself)

8a radio + 6a (2x 3a USB jacks) is 11 amps.
15 amp fuse at the power panel and hopefully this set up should be good to go.

bigorange
Explorer
Explorer
brianosaur wrote:
Lynnmor wrote:
Can you tap into wiring to a lighting circuit? Most are protected by a 15 amp fuse, so use #14 wire.


Okay now that I am digging around, ^this^ got me thinking with an 'ahh ha'!

The Furion radio/dvd player is in the wall console under the TV and right where I want the socket.

Can I just tap into that 12v line with a wire run of less than two feet? Its a 15a fuse.

I guess I should check the radio manual to see how many amps it draws first?

It doesnโ€™t necessarily mean itโ€™s the proper way to do it or rated properly, but this is exactly what I did in our old trailer...tapped into the radio power wire to install USB jack nearby. New trailer has a ton of USB jacks...I guess thatโ€™s a premium addition to trailers now.
Not all those who wander are lost. - Tolkien

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2003 Sierra T22 TT - Sold

brianosaur
Explorer
Explorer
Lynnmor wrote:
Can you tap into wiring to a lighting circuit? Most are protected by a 15 amp fuse, so use #14 wire.


Okay now that I am digging around, ^this^ got me thinking with an 'ahh ha'!

The Furion radio/dvd player is in the wall console under the TV and right where I want the socket.

Can I just tap into that 12v line with a wire run of less than two feet? Its a 15a fuse.

I guess I should check the radio manual to see how many amps it draws first?

Fisherman
Explorer
Explorer
Yes, pos to the empty fuse, neg most likely behind the circuit board.

brianosaur
Explorer
Explorer
I do have a open fuse terminal in the power center, which is close to where I want the socket.
I should be able to just run a 12v auto wire from this lug to the socket and install the correct size fuse, right?

Is the negative wire terminal behind the 12v board?
https://ibb.co/pxmjTdZ/im



Lynnmor
Explorer
Explorer
Can you tap into wiring to a lighting circuit? Most are protected by a 15 amp fuse, so use #14 wire.

RoyB
Explorer II
Explorer II
I have a couple of these installed near table top cabinets... Got them from AMAZON and they connect directly to the batteries...


Google image

These come in a lot of different layouts and are very inexpensive...

Since these modules rotate you can mount in either horizontal or vertical directions... Also be sure to get one that has an ON-OFF switch on them. The VOLTMETERS are rather bright to have on 24/7...

We do most of our camping OFF-GRID and having the charging stations are great to have going...

Roy Ken
My Posts are IMHO based on my experiences - Words in CAPS does not mean I am shouting
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