USB Ports

[Ronman]

We have a 2007 Safari 27FB. I would like to add USB / 110v combo plugs like you see in residential applications. Is this possible? Has anyone done it? If so, where do you find the plugs? Thank you.
Ron

[ajcannon]

Yes hey will work - just have to watch the depth of them as they are deeper than some of the standard plugs. You can pick them up almost anywhere - Lowes, Home Depot, even a lot of Walmart stores will have them. They normally are about $15-$20 per outlet. Well worth it! (Or you can do what I did and tie them into the 12v system - I have a few USB outlets right beside our bed for mine and my wife's phones. I will be adding two more soon for other USB devices.)

[uncle_bob]

Hi

One very real consideration - do you really want to require 110V simply to get USB power? In some ways, a 12V -> USB might make more sense.

Bob

[switz]

Airstream installed a double SB port in several places in our 2015 23D International Serenity and they got their power from nearby 12Vdc circuitry. In fact I tied into the circuit in the rear roof locker to power the rear view Voyager camera.

[Rich W]

There are a number of plug-in models available on Amazon. Plug it into an outlet and you can charge several phones, etc. at the same time.

https://www.amazon.com/RAVPower-Char...sb+hub+charger

[KJRitchie]

I installed two 110v receptacles with USB in my Classic 25fb, one on the fridge wall and one on the queen bed nightstand (which is now on the nightstand between our twins after our twin bed remodel). These are deep receptacles that won't fit on the walls. I have four 12v sockets, one on the fridge wall one under the dinette one in the audio cabinet above the dinette table and one on the bedroom wall. I replaced the 12v socket plate with one with the socket and two USB ports. I just purchase an 12v "hub" where it plugs into the socket under the dinette and from that on/off switch a cable runs to the main box which I have on the dinette table. It has 3 socket and 4 USB ports. You can always get some 12v socket plugs with USB connectors used for auto purposes too. I could add one of those on the bedroom 12v socket

The bedroom 110v with USB is handy when on shore power to charge phones overnight without having to use an adapter. If you buy one of these receptacles make sure it has at least 2.1 amp output for charing larger devices like tablets.

I also carry a 22000mah portable battery which is able to charge an iPad several times.

Kelvin

[AStreamNerds]

I used the Trond Prime Mini Smart Charging Station for our table and did a permanent install on our night stand. You can find it on Amazon: http://amzn.to/2qwRmPw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5L6RDXSLyL4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNDLGRdxsaE

[dmcgaugh]

I recommend these:
RV WALL MOUNT 12V-VPA SOCKET/5V4A OUPUT DUAL USB PORT CHARGING STATION, WHITE https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00SVVQHKW..._7tIDzbAA8BMB7

They match the white decora outlets through the rest of the trailer, operate on 12V and give you a cigarette lighter outlet as well. I've replaced the USB outlets (which had already failed) that came in my 2017 with these.

[joshjack]

Another option is these faceplates: https://www.amazon.com/SnapPower-USB.../dp/B01BX83E0U

They aren't deep because it's not a replacement outlet.

[Protagonist]

Here's another option, that just plugs into your existing outlets:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

To make sure it stays put, the machine screw in the center of your existing outlet faceplate is removed, and a new longer screw is inserted into this device to screw through your old outlet.

The two smartphone trays on the side are retractable.

I bought two, one for home and one for my Airstream, but then used both at home. Now I need to get another for the Airstream…

[ibosket]

How many watts do the USB A ports on an Airstream have? We're wondering if we can use a USB C female to USB A male adapter to charge Apple watch or I pad. It says ports should have at least 15 watts on the adapter.

[Wazbro]

Originally Posted by ibosket

How many watts do the USB A ports on an Airstream have? We're wondering if we can use a USB C female to USB A male adapter to charge Apple watch or I pad. It says ports should have at least 15 watts on the adapter.

I'm not sure, I doubt they are more then 2 amp or 10 watts.

[Boxite]

If you are boondocking…and do not wish to run a generator/inverter to convert fossil-fuel to AC in order to convert AC to DC-to-USB…. then keep life simple and install something like these to convert your already-available 12vdc direct to usb:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[Mollysdad]

The popular USB port is for charging, but not data.
So, you can install a USB outlet anywhere you have 12 v.power.
If you have a cigarette lighter outlet, you can swap the module with with a USB.
(yes USB IS 5 v. but the conversion happens in the module, so it’s 12 v. going in.)

[4RXLA]

My ‘77 has 3 12v outlets, one of which is a cigarette lighter above the toilet. I converted them to usb ports with adapters from Amazon.

[foobar]

I replaced all of the nearly useless Airstream Factory USB charging ports with these:

https://powerwerx.com/panel-usb-qc30-typec-qc40

The powerwerx ports support every existing quick charge standard.

The unit takes 9v to 32v input.

The output charging capability is a function of the voltage received on the power input.

You can get up to 27watts of quick charge power on the output with 9-11.9v power input. You get 36 watts using 12v-14.9v input.

I use a 12v-24v DC-DC converter to supply 24v to the charger. With that input level, I get up to 60watts of fast charging for laptops, etc.

This is the 12v-24v DC-DC converter that I use:
Cllena Waterproof DC/DC 12V to 24V Boost Converter 40A 960W Step Up Voltage Regulator Module Car Power Supply Voltage Transformer (Input 10V-16V) https://a.co/d/5Hb14Lp

Yes, it is beefy, but I use it to supply power to 6 powerwerx USB chargers with the expectation that I can be charging multiple pieces of equipment simultaneously: 2 laptops at 60w each, plus quick charging 2 android phones, running 2 cpap machines and a couple of portable USB battery banks. And yes, I really do hook up that much stuff at the same time at bedtime.

[switz]

The issue with drawing more that the USB-A rating watts is that the wiring used might not be rated for the higher power draw mentioned above. If the power supply wires get too hot from too much current, there is always the possibility of fire.

Airstream has not. been known to be generous with over sizing wiring.

[foobar]

Originally Posted by switz

The issue with drawing more that the USB-A rating watts is that the wiring used might not be rated for the higher power draw mentioned above. If the power supply wires get too hot from too much current, there is always the possibility of fire.

Airstream has not. been known to be generous with over sizing wiring.

The good news is that the powerwerx USB charger does not require significantly higher amperage in order to deliver higher wattage charging.

This is why the powerwerx adapter requires higher input voltage to deliver higher wattage charging on the output.

Watts = voltage * amps

If you double the wattage, but also double the input voltage, the amperage stays the same.

And.... amps dictate the wire gauge require to safely deliver the desired power level.

60watts/24v = 2.5amps.

The existing Airstream wiring can easily handle 2.5amps.

[DKB_SATX]

Originally Posted by ibosket

How many watts do the USB A ports on an Airstream have? We're wondering if we can use a USB C female to USB A male adapter to charge Apple watch or I pad. It says ports should have at least 15 watts on the adapter.

I'd swag MAYBE 1.5A for the whole adapter (split between the 2 USB-A ports.) I slagged one in my '17 Flying Cloud by having the temerity to plug in 2 phones at once (just phones, not iPads or anything.) I replaced that one (and its very skinny wires) with a Blue Sea that's been rock-solid for 4+ years now.