Caravan USB socket upgrade

[@StephenGallagher67]

Thanks for the video Dan. You gave me confidence to convert a 12v socket, which was never used, to a twin USB socket, which is really useful.

[@CharlieHawkes1]

Hi Guys you take so much time to share your experiences I thought I would just send this message to you and thank you for been instrumental in me buying my first caravan, I lost my wife very suddenly after 44 happy years just over 2 years ago and just had no interest in anything or anyone, I knew I had to do something so decided to look at buying a caravan 1st to get me out of my house and 2nd to meet other people with the same interest, after watching so many of your videos i have copied so many tips and tricks you have shared to make my caravan days a pleasure for this coming season which will be my first as a lone caravan er. please keep up the good work and thank you once again

[@georgemitchelmore1239]

How much does it cost/ where can I purchase it ?

[@617539]

Dan, once again a very useful tip for charging all the electronic stuff we now take away with us.

[@qedelec]

Ah the advantage of a more modern caravan. There is a shortage of sockets in out van, originally one in the kitchen and one above the fridge. This spring will see a few more added, but as we always go fully serviced the HooToo gives us five outlets. Now I need to get to grips with DNLA and decide if to take Alexa with us. Great vid.

[@DesmondsDonders]

Well worth fitting USB sockets. One of the first things we did on Desmond is add two of these. We placed one by the bed and one in the living area. I put switches in the power feed as the leds were annoying ;-)

[@lostweekendscaravan]

Great and useful video Dan. Will this product fit in the blanking plates at the front of the caravan above the chest. Mine has a blanked off plate in this location. Thanks Phil

[@TheTrudgians]

Hi Phil, yes - if it looks similar to mine, and if I recall correctly it is a CBE plate you have - then yes, perfect. Hope that helps. Dan

[@lostweekendscaravan]

Thanks Dan its now on my ever growing list of things to do,

[@TranceElbow]

Happy New Year Dan. Thanks for another very useful video. 👍🏻 We have the same issue in our Bailey Ranger, which has no 12v sockets at all. I want to do the same but with one difference. I’m going to add a switch because the USB module will use power all the time the master switch is on. If you’re not using the sockets while the master switch is on, your battery will be wasting power.

[@DesmondsDonders]

Yep we put switches in as well.

[@daveevans4391]

Excuse me im new to caravanning, what and where is the master switch? I presume your referring to the 12volt supply?, thanks Dave

[@michaelmiller5387]

we had the Bailey Senator which was the same, nowhere to charge 12v stuff.

[@scammo37]

Thanks Dan. I will definitely be doing this job on your caravan . Great simple vid. 👍

[@Justin52wales]

I’ve fitted them on our caravan beginning of last year I’ve installed the double version of the one you have

[@garysouthwood85]

Great video Dan going to do the same with our caravan.

[@MakeWayWithTheMorleys]

Easy as that! I think I may put some of those into our ‘van over the coming season. Great vid.

[@magicash4716]

Great video 👍🏻

[@ianvarley1651]

Does the socket change the ampage? Is it 12v you connected to the back of the usb?? Great vid. Thanks.

[@rebeccajaneacquah]

That was really good and such a brilliant idea well done Dan 😉

[@lorez8388]

Great idea. Wondering if we have an audio socket panel near our TV now! Found you guys through Andrew Ditton. New subscriber 😃

[@HowardB54]

Exc Vid Dan as usual - My idea for USB upgrade was to replace the chrome reading lights for ones with built in USB as fitted to newer vans - not sure if these are available but presume they would be a like for like swap

[@TheDaztheraz]

How reliable has this been, these Chinese import ones appear much cheaper than the cbe stuff

[@cdmtravels5723]

Great vid dan very usefull good use of an unsed power source

[@grimreaperbadboy]

Hi Dan thanks for this was hoping you was doing this sometime

[@caileanmoore2835]

Good useful info. Thanks for sharing.

[@claytonchris1984]

I'm thinking of replacing our 12v socket for a double USB port as we will never use it and seems such a waste of a socket. Watching your video makes it look a straight forward swap as our van is a 2008 avondale so nothing too fancy to deal with

[@darrenmc168]

Another great video buddy. Keep it up i'm learning loads from you. :)

[@tobybarker6808]

I can never understand wanting to watch tv when on holiday...mind-numbing. good video though, thanks

[@cmgill2gill135]

Nice neat job! will a 12v usb charge a phone or laptop or would you have to have a step-up converter in to it first?

[@Venomator.]

Hi Gill, a 12V USB socket will service an iPhone/mobile phone and, at the higher 2.1A output, even an iPad/tablet. But you will not be able to charge a laptop from a 12V USB socket. V... 👍🏻 🐍

[@cmgill2gill135]

@@Venomator. Thanks for your reply, your the first person to offer a plain and simple answer to my question, all the very best :)

[@Venomator.]

cmgill2 Gill Very welcome Gill, any time! ... 👍🏻 🐍

[@catlikelemur2760]

Great video dan would be nice to see a light conversion

[@TheTrudgians]

Hi, would this be a fluorescent tube to LED conversion ? or something else ? Dan

[@catlikelemur2760]

The Trudgians sorry a USB light conversion like the new vans

[@davereynolds3682]

Another useful and informative how to Danno! Hey, how's Chloe getting on without the cast now?

[@mayfairquest]

Ive bought a length of l e d lights with the intention of cutting them to length and sticking them to the underneath the shelf in the wardrobe where it quite dark , was wondering is it o.k to hook into the ceiling light switch ? Had this roll of l e ds for ages and I am unsure how to go about it as I havent seen any videos on utube or written bloggs . Seemed like a good idea at the time could you assit in any way ? . The usb is a great video .

[@existesters4002]

Great video, thanks for sharing. I have just ordered one off the internet so hopefully it will be with me soon. I do have one question what is the wiring gauge you used for the two extra cables. There are so many different rampages for 12v wiring. Many thanks Paul.

[@JimWorldLeader]

Great video! Mr T, do you recommend tinning the stripped ends of the cable, before crimping the connectors on?

[@TheTrudgians]

Hi Jim, i've not been a fan of crimp connections traditionally - but one tip i was told years ago was to not tin a crimp connection (unless you are planning on soldering it) the tinning process makes it harder to crush around, and can leave a loose connection. By leaving the wires bare - it makes a better mechanical connection (i.e - being crushed) But to be honest, its dealers choice really. Wherever possible - I always solder for an excellent electrical connection and bind the cable to make a sturdy mechanical connection. This video demonstrates that you don't need to solder etc. Hope that helps. Dan

[@qedelec]

FYI in the electrical contracting trade it is acceptable to join cables using crimped joints (using a calibrated crimper), and this is regarded as good as the original cable. We never tin the conductor.

[@scott8579]

hi dan, what size are the spade connectors please

[@colinkuga8314]

Hi Dan as a new cravanner I have found your posts very helpful, I pick my van (sprite alpine) up next week Have you any views on covers for winter storage I have heard so many conflicting stories

[@TheTrudgians]

Hi Colin, We don't cover our van during winter as we try to use it in the colder months (we love winter caravanning) but many folks do. As far as im aware, just ensure the cover is clean and well fitted to the 'van - this will minimise any damage. Also if you have a solar panel - make sure the cover has a clear panel so sunlight can still penetrate through. Hope that helps Dan

[@hayard61]

Hi Dan, could you tell me what size wire you use please. Also, I'm thinking of just putting crocodile clips on the other end of the connected wires and take them directly to the battery terminals. Would that be advisable? Tia. Yvonne

[@TheTrudgians]

Hi Yvonne, I use cable from Maplins rated at 25amps. (i have this knocking around at home from other projects) - i'll be honest i wouldn't recommend taking a feed directly to the battery via croc clips, and also place a fuse in line with the cable, incase of issues. Although you didn't see a fuse on my installation, the socket is already fused on the existing cable i piggy backed. I hope that helps Dan

[@hayard61]

The Trudgians Ok thanks for that Dan. 👍

[@kernowcapers6199]

My son wired a 12v socket into my 1991 van so we could charge our phones. I will show him this though because he did it a couple of years ago when he was 14 and could maybe do an upgrade. 😀

[@GINGERDAVID90]

nicely done i done similar to mine

[@GaryThomo]

looks great

[@billgordon7240]

A very informative and interesting video Dan thank you! I'm a Chippy myself but am no good with electrics so can I just ask a novice question? It says on the front of the USB socket that you fitted 5 Volts, yet you wired it into a 12 Volt circuit so the question is, why doesn't it blow the 5 volt socket and or your phone, when it's a greater voltage??

[@TheTrudgians]

Hi Bill, Thanks for the email. Ok, so the USB sockets i installed require 12v to work. They regulate the voltage so they only output 5v to the devices. SO any device that uses these USB plus will have the correct voltage and current. Let me know if that helps - if not I will try and explain in a different way. Take care

[@billgordon7240]

Yes that makes sense many thanks!!

[@wevegonetouring]

sat watch BBC News 24 today and coverage of the sad passing of Jimmy Armfield, they showed footage of him commentating from a stadium someplace and there alongside him was a man looking all technical :-) was it you ?

[@TheTrudgians]

no, sadly not

[@jimarnott9593]

surprised you haven't fitted a fuse in the supply to the usb unit as the main feed is probably fused at 10 Amps , could be decidedly incenduary with a usb socket it it goes wrong.

[@scousepagan680]

Top video again dan

[@melonieward7483]

Can you come to Shetland and help me do mine lol

[@ianr5978]

£16.99.... you were robbed.. they are on E Bay for £3 or £4 .

[@TheTrudgians]

Hi Ian, Can you send me the link for the CBE module that is £3 or £4 please. - the module I used was purchased from eBay, (look in the video description for the link) Thanks