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Old 02-01-2016, 08:59 PM   #1
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Adding USB and cig lighter port

I'm looking at installing a couple of these in the bedroom, one on each side of the bed:


Dual USB Car Cigarette Lighter Socket Splitter 12V Charger Power Adapter Outlet | eBay

I know absolutely nothing about anything electrical, but it looks like I should be able to tap into the wiring for the 12v lights in the cargo area and then it is only a couple feet to where the plugs will be mounted. For those of you who know about electrical stuff:

1. What size wire do I need for this 2 or 3 foot distance?

2. I'm pretty sure the USB ports are fine but am wondering if the cig lighter port may draw too much current? We will mostly be using the USB ports and would rarely, if ever, use the cig port. And certainly not both cig ports at the same time. Just wondering if I'm getting myself into any trouble here. I do plan to install inline fuses.

Thanks.
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Old 02-01-2016, 09:08 PM   #2
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I'm going to be doing the same thing, so watching this thread. Need to add a couple off 120V plugs too.
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Old 02-01-2016, 09:19 PM   #3
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If you may use the "Lighter" outlet, wire for 15 amps. 14 ga. wire will be OK for the short run you mention. The circuit that you are attaching to must also have at least 14 ga. wiring and be on a 20 amp fused circuit.

For only the USB, 16 ga. wire and a 10 amp. fused circuit should be fine.

FWIW, I would not trust a no-name USB outlet to power anything of any value. Cheap electronics can fail and put out the full 12 volts to your device.
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Old 02-01-2016, 09:33 PM   #4
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I put two of these in ...

one next to the drivers area for cell phone charging and gps plug in, etc..

and one in the bedroom...

just don't expect them to take full force of pushing a tight 12v plug in... need to hold the back as you plug in (or just get n extender that's always plugged in)
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Old 02-01-2016, 09:45 PM   #5
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The cig lighter port will only draw the amount of current of the device plugged into it. If you use something that uses two amps, that's the current that will be supplied. If you limit yourself to USB devices, 5 colts and 2.1 amps, you need 24 AWG wire at a minimum, heavier is always better:

Wire Guage / Diameter / Amps
24 0.020 2.1
22 0.025 5.0
20 0.032 7.5
18 0.040 10
16 0.051 13
14 0.064 17
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Old 02-02-2016, 04:37 AM   #6
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Following up on "blupill's" comment, here are some links to "name brand" USB and cigar lighter products.

https://www.bluesea.com/products/cat...0/USB_Chargers
https://www.bluesea.com/products/cat...es/Plug_Socket
Powerwerx Panel Mount Dual USB Socket 3A Device Charger for 12V Systems [PanelUSB] - $18.99
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Old 02-02-2016, 08:54 AM   #7
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DH put one in our Timber Ridge a few months back. There recommendations in the package, but he went on the heavier gauge side - either 14 or 16 (can't remember for sure but it is what he had around). Ours is on the wall right next to the converter (covered when the slide is in), and it was an easy job. There were instructions in the package.

Since the installation is relatively low and covered up some by the cat tower when we are set up, we just attach an extension adapter as we set up. When we close the slide, the extension is removed and the caps shut.
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Old 02-02-2016, 09:03 AM   #8
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Mr D, you might be interested in this if you want both 120v and USB ports.
Or you can find regular household sized outlets at Home Depot or Lowes that also include USB ports.

Robot Check
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Old 02-02-2016, 11:22 AM   #9
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Thanks for the excellent feedback. I'm not sure what size breaker or fuse the cargo area lights are on, so that will be my first thing to check. Probably a 10a or 15a though. And if I am understanding the comments correctly I should have a 20a breaker/fuse for the cig lighter plug? I'm probably not going to go to the effort of running new wiring all the way back to the breaker/fuse panel for that, so if that's the case, I'll just connect the USB outlets and not the cig lighter outlet.
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Old 02-02-2016, 12:25 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Podivin View Post
Mr D, you might be interested in this if you want both 120v and USB ports.
Or you can find regular household sized outlets at Home Depot or Lowes that also include USB ports.

Robot Check
Thanks!! That would work well for the desktop we have.

Yep, need to check the household setups too as I have a phone plug I want to convert too. Just no need for a landline phone setup in the MH anymore.
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Old 02-02-2016, 01:17 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by fisher99 View Post
I'm looking at installing a couple of these in the bedroom, one on each side of the bed:


Dual USB Car Cigarette Lighter Socket Splitter 12V Charger Power Adapter Outlet | eBay

I know absolutely nothing about anything electrical, but it looks like I should be able to tap into the wiring for the 12v lights in the cargo area and then it is only a couple feet to where the plugs will be mounted. For those of you who know about electrical stuff:n

1. What size wire do I need for this 2 or 3 foot distance?

2. I'm pretty sure the USB ports are fine but am wondering if the cig lighter port may draw too much current? We will mostly be using the USB ports and would rarely, if ever, use the cig port. And certainly not both cig ports at the same time. Just wondering if I'm getting myself into any trouble here. I do plan to install inline fuses.

Thanks.
http://www.irv2.com/forums/f282/12v-...hs-247825.html

Check this link out on the forum...I installed 2 ...12 power outlets..as I said in my post if I can do it anyone can.

Coops
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Old 02-02-2016, 06:49 PM   #12
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Old 02-03-2016, 07:01 PM   #13
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Unlike AC there is no rule of thumb for DC electricity. This is due to the fact that the combined length (Circuit Length) of wire both positive and negative has to be considered.

If you are using 2' of neg and 2' of positive wire to connect a device thee Circuit Length is 4'.

We use the chart below and this app

https://www.bluesea.com/resources/1437

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Old 02-04-2016, 05:50 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jtbuilds View Post
Unlike AC there is no rule of thumb for DC electricity. This is due to the fact that the combined length (Circuit Length) of wire both positive and negative has to be considered.

If you are using 2' of neg and 2' of positive wire to connect a device thee Circuit Length is 4'.

We use the chart below and this app

https://www.bluesea.com/resources/1437

X2
Blue Sea also has a chart for fuse sizes.
Very useful site.
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