USB port: Burning smell, hot to touch

[interstateflyer]

Originally Posted by billrector

I assume the ones you are replacing worked...at least at some point? The USB ports should be marked with a (+) and (-). Just make sure you keep the polarity the same on your new one.

There are no (+) or (-) markings on the original installed OEM port, thus my uncertainty.

The old original port has hardwired black and red wires.

The black wire is attached to the white supply wire and the red wire attached to the black supply wire.

The new ports have (+) and (-) markings on their connectors.

So....can I trust that the original port's red wire is (+) and thus indicates that the black supply wire is to be attached to the new port's (+) terminal?

[Adventure.AS]

Originally Posted by interstateflyer

There are no (+) or (-) markings on the original installed OEM port, thus my uncertainty.

The old original port has hardwired black and red wires.

The black wire is attached to the white supply wire and the red wire attached to the black supply wire.

The new ports have (+) and (-) markings on their connectors.

So....can I trust that the original port's red wire is (+) and thus indicates that the black supply wire is to be attached to the new port's (+) terminal?

I always use a multimeter to test for polarity when working with the 12 volt wiring. You can pick one up at WM for under $8.

[FishByFly]

Going to order the #1045 Blue sea usb today. Is it a direct replacement as far as the factory hole? Can the cap be removed or just cut off?

[billrector]

Originally Posted by FishByFly

Going to order the #1045 Blue sea usb today. Is it a direct replacement as far as the factory hole? Can the cap be removed or just cut off?

Yes....direct replacement! I have installed them.

[interstateflyer]

I installed Blue Seas 1016s in my 2017 25FB today.

I'm amazed that Airstream installed such wimpy USB ports. The hardwired leads in the original units were very thin 22 gauge as compared with the trailer's 12 gauge supply wires.

No wonder the original ports couldn't handle anything other than a single iPhone. The new Blue Seas ports can handle a dual GoPro Super Charger with ease.

Thanks everyone for you assistance with this issue.

[FishByFly]

Could (should) one just replace the wiring to the factory devices? Mine have not failed yet. I saw some crazy pricing on the Blue Sea USB products.

[billrector]

Originally Posted by FishByFly

Could (should) one just replace the wiring to the factory devices? Mine have not failed yet. I saw some crazy pricing on the Blue Sea USB products.

These devices don't draw many amps so I think the wiring is fine. By crazy pricing...you mean high? The Blue Sea stuff is much better quality!

[FishByFly]

The prices I have seen are high...$30 ea. range. And that was discounted. As for the wiring question, there was a comment the the current wiring is 22 ga. Replacing that would help.

[interstateflyer]

Originally Posted by FishByFly

The prices I have seen are high...$30 ea. range. And that was discounted. As for the wiring question, there was a comment the the current wiring is 22 ga. Replacing that would help.

In my case, the USB ports in my 2017 25FB had their wire leads hard wired to the units, not replaceable.

Here is the Blue Seas USB Ports on Amazon. $18 each. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

The original OEM USB Ports and their wimpy wiring were OK for iPhone charging. Anything else including GoPro battery chargers and USB charged battery packs caused overheating and burning smell. Not happening with the Blue Seas units.