Date: Fri, 1 Aug 2014 08:49:25 -0500
Reply-To: Abel Longoria <houstonphotog@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Abel Longoria <houstonphotog@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: shore power vs batteries
In-Reply-To: <16694.1406873467@sandelman.ca>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
I know you mentioned usb plugs that are not in a cigarette socket
configuration but these Blue Sea ones tend to be the best ones out there.
Marine grade sockets. Very easy to install since you just need to drill the
hole and drop in.
for the front dash ashtray. you could cut out a small flat plate to act as
a panel inside your ashtray. then drill the hole and mount and socket.
These sockets may be too deep for the rear ashtrays.
For the rear, I installed some on my bench seat kick plate so I can charge
and whatnot while im sitting in my chair outside the van and still reach my
phone. For the front I mounted them on my center console.
Blue Sea 12v USB plugs
http://dasmotoclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/vanagon_kick_plate-13.jpg
I put this one in the far rear so that I can charge my phone while i sleep
and till have access to my phone easily.
http://photos-d.ak.instagram.com/hphotos-ak-xpa1/10546676_708120309255571_1118173921_n.jpg
As far as shore power... give the video on this page a looksee:
http://www.gowesty.com/ec_view_details.php?id=4339&category_id=&category_parent_id=
I have a prosport8 charger plugged into the AC plug inside the cabinet
where the fridge used to plug up to, i dont have the stock fridge anymore.
now when I plug up shore power to the outside stock hookup of the van the
Prosport8 battery charger is now powered as well and begins to charge my
House Batteries.
Prosport8 charger
http://photos-b.ak.instagram.com/hphotos-ak-xaf1/10175208_838986886116593_64066282_n.jpg
Abel Longoria
http://www.DasMotoClub.com
On Fri, Aug 1, 2014 at 1:11 AM, Michael Richardson <mcr@sandelman.ca> wrote:
> I am the new owner of a '91 Westfalia (three weeks today). The second
> battery
> discussion thread made me decide to post. I already have two batteries,
> and
> spent a good two hours once my Bentley arrived figuring out how they were
> wired. There are a few devices which I'd like to power from 12V,
> including
> a mesh wifi access point, and as many USB power sources as I can wire in.
> I'm thinking... who needs ashtrays... USB power... Looking for sources of
> 12V->USB converters that aren't in the lighter plug format that I can shape
> into ashtray replacements...
>
> So camp sites seem to have grown lots of 120AC hookups, and I'd rather run
> my
> toys on AC than battery if I can, but I want them hooked up to 12V so I
> have
> an option. I initially thought of some kind of battery charger, but
> really I
> think that I would want more amps, and not to mess with the batteries if I
> can avoid it. So I'm thinking of a switching PSU from the computer
> industry,
> and build a new 12V bus--- I might be able to find a sub-ms 12V transfer
> switch so stuff won't reboot. I'm wondering if anything has attempted
> such a
> thing? Or am I too cautious, and I should just use some kind battery
> charger.
>
> I'm also looking for a mosquito-proof way to get the shore power in; I'm
> thinking I should drill hole the floor behind the driver's seat and seal a
> short (4") extension cord in.
>
> --
> Michael Richardson
> -on the road-
>