Looking for a quality USB charging outlet to add to FWC

[Andy Douglass]

We have 2 6v batteries in series in our FWC. The stock outlet panel is fine, but it is on the cabinet wall on the galley side. We have a side dinette, and I would like to add USB outlets on the dinette side, so we don't have to have usb cords going across the walkway from the galley to the dinette, or have our devices need to be on the galley when they charge. Luckily, the batteries are on the dinette side, and there is a perfect spot to mount a usb outlet under the dinette seat that is over the batter compartment.

I have purchased many usb charging items over the years, and the theme seems to be low-amperage imported junk with the telltale random syllable generator "company" name that is applied to said imported junk. You know the "company" names, you see them on Amazon all the time. Names like Fiztown and Garjunk.

I want something that is quality and a decent amperage so that it doesn't take hours to charge something, and a device can be used while plugged in and still draw enough power to charge at the same time. An underdash mount style outlet would be perfect for the mounting location, as if I am able to screw the outlet at a 90 degree angle to the face of the outlet, it will be a quick install.

I see one undermount outlet on amazon like this:
https://www.amazon.com/Custom-Accessories-18003-Under-Mount/dp/B01ACD3FS8/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=under+dash+12v+usb&qid=1599512907&sr=8-1

If I was confident that it wasn't made in 2002 and charges at .1 amps, I would get it.

 

[JaSAn]

Blue Sea makes quality stuff; I have these in my camper:

https://www.amazon.com/Blue-Sea-Systems-Charge-Charger/dp/B0082CXEI8/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Blue%2BSea%2Busb&qid=1599516762&sr=8-1&th=1

Underdash plates can be obtained anywhere.

 

[Cottonww]

If you can mount a 12V cigarette plug next to your dinette, this works fine for charging computers, Ipads, and cell phones:

https://www.anker.com/products/variant/powerdrive-2/A2310022?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_content=anker_google_pla_us_1_a2310022-20&utm_term=anker_google_pla_us_1_a2310022-20&gclid=CjwKCAjwtNf6BRAwEiwAkt6UQmWtpMakhsTpznbvVoyLuk0CoLoDYF-lVWZcED0NSd64SjEVXLfriBoCPBwQAvD_BwE

 

[Vic Harder]

The blue sea gear is great. Note that they have the standard 2.1A versions and 4amp versions. If you have quickcharging devices you can make good use of the more $$ version with more Amps

 

[Beach]

Ditto on Blue sea. I've installed many in customers boats, never had a complaint. https://www.bluesea.com/products/category/30/USB_Chargers

 

[TrapperMike]

Another vote for Blue Sea

 

[CoreyTrevor]

Me too. I'm putting a few Blue Sea items in my Eagle, including one of these:


http://bluesea.com/products/4365/Water-Resistant_Accessory_Panel_-_15A_Circuit_Breaker_12V_Socket_2x_2.1A_Dual_USB_Chargers


Their stuff is top notch, like everyone says. Expensive, but I trust it and I always assume Chinese electrical products will catch on fire eventually.

 

[veryactivelife]

Another vote fir Blue Sea.

 

[buckland]

i installed this and is good.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0082CXEI8/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[PaulT]

Another quality supplier is Powerwerx. They have some higher capacity units for charging more power hungry devices.
Panel Mounts | Powerwerx

Their USB Buddy is handy. You can plug it into a solar panel or run it off a car battery.
USBbuddy, Portable Powerpole (12V) to USB (5V) Converter and Device Charger

Paul

 

[Stokeme]

You will not do better than Blue Sea componentry. Helpful too, related to install, is having that B S sized faceplate. It offers a bit of extra fascia for margin & error. Plus a more stable, supported mount.

 

[Jack]

About 5 years ago we installed three12V "cigarette" plugs in our front dinette Fleet. One each on the cabinet on the door side of each seat and one on the water cabinet at the front window.

It was clear at the time that charging protocols were changing, and the 12V plugs have allowed us to easily upgrade. You can get decent plug-in units that have 2, 3 or four outlets. We upgraded to Qi units and I recently upgraded to a plug with USB C with enough power to charge my LG Gram laptop. No separate charger, just a USB C (or thunderbolt) power cable.

We have had one unit fail - quickly replaced. The main concern is to find units that stay plugged in on rough roads. Buy on Amazon and try them out. When you climb into the camper at the end of the day, check the plugs. If they have wiggled out and no longer make contact, return them to Amazon. You want units with longer contact bar, but that's no guarantee.

We also ran two 9' USB cables to the front of the camper so we can charge and read at night in bed and then leave the phones on the night table overnight. Didn't know you had a night table? Run two strips of 1/2" x 1/4" insulating foam tape down the edges of the push-up bar and things put up there stay there.