USB and inverter outlet upgrades

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Dipodomys

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Mar 7, 2016
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As part of my lithium battery upgrade, I’d like to upgrade the electrical outlets in my 2017 Fleet. Specifically, I’d like yo change one of the original USB-A outlets for USB-C, and I’d like to install an inverter that will allow use of the 110v AC outlet with battery power.

Can you recommend high-quality parts that would make these modifications relatively easy? For the USB-C outlet I’d like something that works with the existing panel for a simple part swap, and preferably with 2 plugs and about 75W of power. For the inverter, I’d like a pure sine wave that can be wired to the existing 110v outlet in the panel.

Thanks in advance!
 
Many options out there, 1 option are the blue sea marine grade components which used by many on this site. If it were me I would stay away from the ultra cheap no name imports.
 
As Beach indicated, the Blue Sea products are the gold standard and is what FWC uses for the standard panel. However, the last time I looked, Blue Sea didn’t have a USB C option. Powerwerx is also generally regarded highly for their components, so I was considering one of their replacement plugs like this:

Powerwerx Panel Mount Combination USB QC3.0 and USB Type-C QC4.0 Fast Device Charger

However, I haven’t had a chance to try it yet to see if it fits as a direct replacement for the existing USB A plug.

Regarding the inverter, the most important thing is to make sure you size it correctly for your anticipated loads and then make sure your batteries and charging system are also sized to support it. I use a Victron Phoenix 1200 VA inverter, which has been reliable so far. However there are a lot of options, and you really need to determine the power requirements first.

-Scott
 
USB charging has undergone at least 5 upgrades, and more will come. For this reason, I have stayed with the "cigarette lighter" outlet and upgraded the USB adapter. My latest iteration lets me run/charge our laptops as well a fast charge our phones.. The highest current socket I have found is an all metal socket - much like the original designed for an actual lighter. There are also sockets that have a twist to lock for the insert. Rough roads do not jiggle the insert out. (Electronics are a significant draw on our battery - about 15 Ah.)

USB cables are not all the same. Some handle high wattage but data at slow speed, Some are low wattage and slow speed. Some are high speed and high wattage. "Thunderbolt" USB-C cables handle high wattage and very high speed. Price is one clue, but read the specs before you buy. The higher end cables are USB-C to USB-C cables but not all USB-C cables handle high wattage and high data rate. The USB-C cable shipping with the iPhone 15, for example, is a slow data rate cable. Note also that the higher end cables are not just wires - there is circuitry behind the connector.
 
I have been using Coolgear USB-C power supplies for a few years now and they can’t be beat. I chose those units because they could power/charge my MacBook Pro in addition to fast charge iPads, etc. And deliver 140w +

The only downside side is that they don’t come in a form factor where you can simply swap out your old outlets as they need more electronics and heat management. If that’s a show stopper, they also sell “extension” ports/outlets that you could use to place the actual unit in a hidden location and extend the ports to the original location in the typical round port style.

I have not used those extensions, so I don’t know if there are any considerations.

Google is your friend and their support is great to deal with.
 
WanderingBison said:
I have been using Coolgear USB-C power supplies for a few years now and they can’t be beat. I chose those units because they could power/charge my MacBook Pro in addition to fast charge iPads, etc. And deliver 140w +

The only downside side is that they don’t come in a form factor where you can simply swap out your old outlets as they need more electronics and heat management. If that’s a show stopper, they also sell “extension” ports/outlets that you could use to place the actual unit in a hidden location and extend the ports to the original location in the typical round port style.

I have not used those extensions, so I don’t know if there are any considerations.

Google is your friend and their support is great to deal with.
Click to expand...
I looked at their www site. Nice stuff. I could NOT find the round port style units, or the extensions. Can you link to those please?
 
Thanks everyone for all the good advice! For the moment I'm using a cigarette-lighter adapter for USB-C charging, and I've decided to punt down the calendar a bit. It'll definitely happen, but work and other responsibilities have slowed down my camper projects a bit. With the exception of a solar upgrade, but that's a topic for another thread.
 
Can you just use an inverter through the cig lighter on the standard blue sea component?
 
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