USB Charging Port for Boondocking

Easy project to add USB charging port connected to house battery.
We wanted to be able to charge phones and use USB power while boondocking using house battery.
I found these online:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09P2T8PV7

Keep reading for installation instructions.

We have a 2015 Phoenix Cruiser 2552. This should work for most any RV.
I decided to tap in to the LED light circuit for power.
Here are the steps for the project.
1.   Assemble the tools needed. (Notice the coffee cup!)

2.   Choose the fixture to use for power to the USB port. Remove the covers to get access to the mounting screws to remove the fixture.

3.   When you drop the fixture you can see the wiring. The white wire is supposed to be the ground wire, and usually is, but sometimes it’s not. The USB port will only work with the correct polarity. Reversing the polarity doesn’t seem to hurt these ports, they just wont work. There is a blue LED that lights when connected correctly. You will see it shortly.

4.   This is the port. I removed the doors and springs because I got tired of having to use two hands to plug in the USB cord.

5.   Often you will find the lights are connected using twist-on connectors. Unscrew the connectors one at a time because the circuit is live and connect the black wire to the ground (white) wire and the red wire to the +12v (red) wire. If the polarity is correct the blue LED will light and you are good to go.

6.   Poke all the wires and connectors back into the access hole.  Route the wires for the USB port to one side of the light fixture and replace the screws to mount the light fixture.

7.   The wires will hold the USB port in place.

8.   Screw the port into place with the self-starting screws. Don’t over-tighten and strip out the hole. Pop the cover on the port.

9.   Sit back and enjoy the rest of your coffee!
Thanks for viewing!
Safe travels.

Interesting!  Thanks for sharing that.

Back in 2007 when our PC was new, I dedicated the cabinet to the right of the main TV, for "everything electronic".  I made a shape-fitting shelf for my laptop, then mounted a power strip with the outlets in various orientations.  We store and charge everything utilizing that cabinet.  Of coarse it requires a 110V source from the inverter, the generator, or shore power.


I never expanded direct 12V sourced USB charging inside that cabinet.  Like everyone here with a PC, it has a standard round 12V receptacle that we continue to utilize via a dual plug-in charger.  This of coarse places our phone charging far from our sleeping quarters which works for us.

I did add direct 12V sourced USB up front in our pre-2009 dash board design, primarily to get the adapters with cords away from the driver's gear shift lever and off the center console.  During the planning stages, I had wondered if the idea was going to present other issues, but it has worked out extremely well.  One is a conventional round receptacle, the other has two USB recptacles.  It is powered all the time (ignition on or off) off the high amperage dash board cigarette lighter.  I did include a connector for quick-disconnect when removing the engine cowl.  The power cord is seen in the middle as a 2" long, gray band.  It is shrink tubing over the two wires used to dress it up a bit.

Ron, I considered something like what you did but we decided we wanted the charging ports closer to where we are when inside.
Also, the little USB fan you see in the last picture has a short cord and it is helpful to be able to move a little air more directly than the Fantastic fan does when boondocking.

Safe travels.
Stan

Ron, I considered something like what you did but we decided we wanted the charging ports closer to where we are when inside.
Also, the little USB fan you see in the last picture has a short cord and it is helpful to be able to move a little air more directly than the Fantastic fan does when boondocking.

Safe travels.
Stan