4 USB Charger Stations Installed in AF 990 (Pics)

[NVR2L82AV8]

Well I got really tired of not having USB chargers in the camper. So, I did a few mods. I installed four white Blue Sea Systems 12V DC Dual USB Charger Sockets: two above the cabover bed, one near the step to the cabover bed and one underneath the dinette bench.

Driver side USB. Behind this USB I cut a small square to fit in the space below the lamp then drilled a hole into it as well so it had more material to mount to for strength--same was done for the other side):


Back side of Reading Light and USB port. Since I'd recently put in LED lighting my amp pull was miniscule for the two reading lights, flourescent bed light and fan circuit. So, I tapped in both USB ports in parallel. The 15amp circuit was plenty. Used 10 guage wiring for my USB taps. Ops checked good. What I like about these two is I have a master switch for those lights above the sink panel.

Passenger side


I made an entire new circuit utilizing one of fuse blanks available in the fuse panel. I wired these two USBs in parallel as well. Ops Checked good.
Below the Bench:


Inside the bench (used crimped on wiring (10AWG) with heat shrink then wrapped in a 3/8 black plastic split loom protection sheathing):


This shows the routing and neatness:


This shows the sheathing and wiring going from inside the bench seat and down under the slide out floor (bad pic). From there I was able to pair it (tie wrapped) along another wiring bundle going toward the refrigerator and the access door above the water tank then into the fuse block.


Here is a shot of the USB just above the step to the bunk. The drilled out hole:


Finished install:


The dinette and step installs don't have a switch but that would be easy to put in if I want to later. Each of these USB sockets have a mini LED that draws very little power--at least an amount I'm not too worried about.

Bottom line they turned out great! The hardest part was routing the wire bundle under the slideout (I barely fit reaching under there). Now, I can we can charge our phones/iPads/whatever just about anywhere!!

[jimh406]

SCVJeff wrote:
It makes no sense at all that your USB outputs can't make power.

It all depends on how they are providing the power. Apparently, they must be using an AC to DC converter similar to what you plug in. BTW, you can find similar plugs to put in your home. Again, I don't prefer them with the advent of smart/adapative chargers, but they exist.

[SCVJeff]

towpro wrote:
Do they still work when running on Battery Voltage (charger off). That is the problem I have with my Wolf Creek. only works when AC charger is on, or Solar system has battery voltage up higher than night time voltage.

that makes no sense. A USB output is 5V. That means that your six volts above the regulated output. It makes no sense at all that your USB outputs can't make power.

[RedRocket204]

hedge wrote:
I installed those too, if the LED starts to bug you they're reasonably easy to take apart and take out the LED. There's instructions in the Amazon reviews.

I had some pics of my install from a couple years ago but can't find the post.

I know this thread is about 4 months old... but was just referenced in a different thread...

Instead of removing the LED, just add a DC toggle switch. That way you can turn off the USB port when not in use but when in use, you can still tell if there is a parasitic draw on the USB port because the LED will be lit. Super easy to do and only requires one more small hole to be drilled for the round toggle switch.

I have the black version of the Blue Sea Systems USB port installed on my ATV with a DC toggle switch. Blue Sea makes some good quality products.

[Moose10]

RickW wrote:
"used crimped on wiring (10AWG)"

Is that big enough for the expected USB loads?

10 AWG wire is good for up to 30 amps on a 0-30 foot non-critical circuit according to my wire gauge chart...I don't know for sure but I'm guessing that USB loads won't be approaching 30 amps.

[BigBlockFord]

great install; you're about two weeks ahead of me! (Dang work travel).

Was planning on the same location above the bed, but have been waffling on the lower location(s). Was considering one of the new combo USB-conventional 3-prong outlets by the cabover step to save a hole, then a USB only near the dinette. Any problems running into the dinette plugs while using the table?

BBF

[RickW]

"used crimped on wiring (10AWG)"

Is that big enough for the expected USB loads?

[GeoBoy]

Nice job. My 2016 came with 2 USB ports next to a 12 volt outlet in the bedroom, but it would be nice if there were a couple in the dinette area.

[brholt]

Great job.

I did pretty much the same thing in the bed area. Only problem was my wife objected to the glowing green led's so I ended up filling the holes the led's are in with some black electrical spread on liquid insulation. (Put some tape over the light on the CO monitor in the bedroom area for the same reason. Now you can barely see it in the dark but can tell it is still working)..

[hedge]

towpro wrote:
Do they still work when running on Battery Voltage (charger off). That is the problem I have with my Wolf Creek. only works when AC charger is on, or Solar system has battery voltage up higher than night time voltage.

Maybe I misunderstand but are you saying yours don't work unless you have AC plugged in? These wire directly to the 12v system so they always work... unless the batteries are flat.

It sounds like your plugs are part of your AC system, transformed down to USB 5V.

[hedge]

Gsturner wrote:
Oooh! Inspiration! I was thinking of installing 12v (cigarette lighter) outlets near the two over-bed-lamps. Ultimately, it would only be used for USB charging, so your plan makes way more sense. Thanks for sharing!

You could also consider installing the '360 panel', it has both and the plugs are interchangeable. It seems to really have went up since I got mine.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00GO7AASU?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00

[Gsturner]

Oooh! Inspiration! I was thinking of installing 12v (cigarette lighter) outlets near the two over-bed-lamps. Ultimately, it would only be used for USB charging, so your plan makes way more sense. Thanks for sharing!

[towpro]

Do they still work when running on Battery Voltage (charger off). That is the problem I have with my Wolf Creek. only works when AC charger is on, or Solar system has battery voltage up higher than night time voltage.

[hedge]

I installed those too, if the LED starts to bug you they're reasonably easy to take apart and take out the LED. There's instructions in the Amazon reviews.

I had some pics of my install from a couple years ago but can't find the post.

[sabconsulting]

A good idea and very neat.

Steve.