SO42DS USB power outlet in aft cabin

[Trevor]

As we are now living on the boat for a while, charging the phone at the nav table is a little inconvenient. I prefer to have a charging port next to the aft cabin bed. It is convenient to have the USB outlets mounted near the bedhead but running cable from the cigarette lighter socket power outlet circuit is not particularly easy.  It is much more convenient to simply take the 12 volt source from the bedhead light.

I recently did that simple addition on our boat and it is much more convenient to have the phone charging in the aft cabin. I will do the same on both sides but have only done the starboard side at this stage.

Here is the USB port installed under the side pocket overhang.   The flush mounted USB dual outlet was purchased from a local electronics store.





This is the installation from behind the bulkhead with the USB port wired into the bedhead light circuit.



This is a simple but effective way to have a low current charging facility on the side table in the aft cabin.

Regards,

Trevor

[Tafika II]

Looks good Trevor. We went a different route and changed out the AC receptacles with Leviton T5832-T Combination Duplex Receptacle/Outlet and USB Charger 20 Amp, 125 Volt, Decora Tamper-Resistant Receptacle/Outlet, NEMA 5-20 that has two powered UPS ports. They have a small cover that slides in place when not in use to prevent dust from entering.
We also removed the small single receptacle in the forward & aft cabins & replied them with standard double receptacles. UBS charger everywhere!!!

[hoppy]

I did the same a couple of years ago. 1 double USB in the 3 cabins and 2 doubles at my nav table

[vasko]

about 2 years ago I installed  in every cabin and at chart table 4xUSB (  4a)  - actually at the chart table I have 3 more USB's also from before...


www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Car-Charger-Step-Down-DC-12V-24V-40V-to-5V-4-USB-Power-Module-for-MP3-Phone-GPS-/321801614169?hash=item4aecdef359:g:nz8AAOSwARZXkIL4

really happy thinking of installing one more at the cabins....  - connected it to the lights cable as I have separate 10a fuse for each cabin lights

[Don Reaves]

I put a 12V USB charging port in the aft cabin. The only problem is that I mounted it so its very bright blue LED shines directly on my wife's pillow, keeping her awake. I had no idea this would be an issue when I picked the location.

My solution was a little cardboard shield. But I would advise anyone wanting to put such an outlet in their boat to account for this annoying "feature". You can see in Trevor's pictures how bright it is.

[vasko]

know the feeling open it and cut the diode or just paint or put a small tape on top   that is the reason why I choose just a controller and custom box  or behind the wall with just the usb's visible  also most of this usb's are not powerful enough for hi current drain devices... 

[Trevor]

I looked at opening it up to cut the diode but alas it seems to be sealed. i actually got some black sikaflex and covered the led so it cannot be seen. A slight disappointment is that some light can still be seen coming from the actual USB port. It is pretty low level so at most angles it is ok.

Trevor

[vasko]

That is why I get directly the pcb and put it in a anclosure box

[zofiasailing]

We have also added various double USB sockets around the boat. The one alongside our bunk was bought at a Chandlery and has a flap on it so when not in use we are spared the annoying green glow. If we do have a device connected (e.g. when iPad is running an anchorwatch App on stormy nights) strategic placement of decorative bed cushions suffices.