Date:         Mon, 20 Jul 2015 21:22:14 -0700
Reply-To:     Don Hanson <dhanson928@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Don Hanson <dhanson928@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Blog Post: Rear USB Charger Install
In-Reply-To:  <55AD7493.4000404@gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8

  I took my usual direct approach, being a firm believer in  the KISS
principle...Keep it simple, stupid.   I got a dual under the dash mount
cigarette lighter-style outlet from one of the chain autoparts stores.  I
put it in the rear vent panel above the fridge.   I use a quality dual usb
adapter  that plugs in there, or at the front ...Don't bother with the
cheap ones from Wal Mart, etc...they won't function very long, if they
function ever...so I have dual cigar lighter plugs in the center of the van
where I can work with my laptop and it's 12v power source and I can also
charge anything that uses the USB power...two of those at a time....I get
the power for the extra sockets from my own auxiliary fuse panel, mounted
 just inside the cabinet behind the drivers seat...It comes off the coach
battery and is isolated by a relay from the starter battery... .I also have
an LED style cigar lighter plug in voltage indicator...Harbor Freight, but
it works...that tells me the state of my house battery and also how the
alternator is working, when plugged into that dual outlet...or my starter
battery, which is still connected to the OEM cigar/power outlet on the
dash...
   I don't often have shore power to my van but sometimes when I am working
on it inside the van I do use the interior plug to keep the cord mess
minimized..

On Mon, Jul 20, 2015 at 3:22 PM, Rocket J Squirrel <
camping.elliott@gmail.com> wrote:

> Sigh. And of course that's what I want, too: a 12VDC-powered USB port
> drop-in that fits the existing AC receptacle box. I don't use shore
> power and don't feel like running an inverter all the time.
>
> --
> Jack "Rocket j Squirrel" Elliott
> 1984 Westfalia, auto trans,
> Bend, Ore.
>
> On 07/20/2015 08:51 AM, Roy Nicholl wrote:
>
>> Abel:
>>
>> That's what I do at the moment.  I have not found a DC input USB port
>> that would be a drop-in fit ... they would all require fabricating my own
>> mount and face plates.
>>
>> On 20-Jul-2015, at 12:47, Abel Longoria wrote:
>>
>>  Guess it could work if that AC wall plug with usb ports is wired to an
>>> onboard DC/AC inverter... that would work.
>>>
>>> Abel.
>>>
>>>
>>> On Mon, Jul 20, 2015 at 10:45 AM, Abel Longoria <houstonphotog@gmail.com
>>> >
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>>  I'd probably use a black blank plate then drill out two holes for some
>>>> blue sea products that way they're wired up to 12v all of the time.
>>>>
>>>> Having the USB sockets integrated in a 110v wall plug/plate means the
>>>> usb
>>>> ports need 110v in order to operate (even though he voltage is being
>>>> stepped way down) so if your're off the grid and no shore power is
>>>> available those wall plug usb ports won't work. not sure you can route a
>>>> separate 12v power source to just those usb ports on the wall outlet or
>>>> not. highly doubtful since they're made for home applications.
>>>>
>>>> Just thinking out loud here...
>>>> Abel.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> On Mon, Jul 20, 2015 at 10:41 AM, Roy Nicholl <RNicholl@nbnet.nb.ca>
>>>> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>  That's the third variation they make ... one receptacle and two USB
>>>>> ports.  I've not use that one.
>>>>>
>>>>> On 20-Jul-2015, at 12:31, T Collins wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>  I actually have one of these in my kitchen not the same model numbers,
>>>>>>
>>>>> but
>>>>>
>>>>>> you get the idea:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>> http://www.homedepot.com/p/Leviton-Decora-15-Amp-Tamper-Resistant-Combination-Receptacle-and-USB-Charger-White-R02-T5631-00W/205730876
>>>>>
>>>>>> .
>>>>>>
>>>>>> HTH,
>>>>>> Tony
>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>