How to access all the energy I’m creating via solar and storing…

[Where to next?]

Hi all you knowledgeable folk…

I bought a new Dethleffs Trend MH 18 months ago and to ensure I ‘never ran out of power’ I had a solar panel and second leisure battery fitted to give me the confidence that I’d have loads of power when off grid. For the first time since buying the MH we’ve been off grid in France for the last 2 weeks. My panel is showing I have continued 13.2V in my leisure batteries but I have no means of utilising it. Sure, I can leave the 12V lights on all day but I can’t charge my devices - iPhone, iPad etc. so to charge my phone I need to either run the engine or start the generator I carry with me. Seems crazy to me that I was able to buy a solar panel and extra leisure battery without being asked how I intend to use the extra energy generated and source but that’s Travelworld for you! I.e. I only have 3 pin, 240 volt sockets in the MH section which can’t use the electricity I’m storing. Any ideas on what I can do to enable me to charge phones etc. using the solar generated power? Thanks in advance…

 

[Bolti]

You have an 18 month old motorhome and it has no usb or 12v sockets? Unbelivable.

 

[pappajohn]

Have USB sockets installed.

 

[VXman]

Same response from me - no USB sockets in the habitation area? we have 5 usb and one hella 12v socket (generally used for TV)

Another thing you could do to use your electric is buy inverter (connect direct to your battery) to run some 240 volt stuff.

 

[Figaro]

It's hard to understand how you can be supplied a new motorhome in 2022 with no USB sockets, is there not even a 12 volt socket you could put a USB adapter in ? If there is you could buy the adapter at any garage, then when you get home I'd recommend getting a bank of USB's fitted

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Spanner]

Our Peugeot boxer van originally had two 12v sockets on the dash but both were only live with the ignition on. I replaced one and rewired it via a fused supply direct to the vehicle battery.
Also fitted a small inverter fed from the leisure batteries for charging electric razor etc.

 

[the1andonly]

I am not surprised there are minimum usb 12v sockets the price of decent ones. My Rapido (2017)came with the 1usb 12v in cab and 1 usb in kitchen and 1 12v socket for telly and one 230v socket. Soon becomes obvious this is insuficient. Thanks for improvement threads by Techno , Lenny HB and Richard n Ann and advise from Raul . I now have 5 double USB sockets 5 12V and 230v sockets fixed ehu , invertor and a manualy switched one all fed from Cab or Hab lithium. Lithium controlled by BMV712 SOC and SSRs, power coming in via a votronics b2b 2 votronics mppt's and 550W solar. The cost of this is not insignificant but creates a useful van the way i want to use it. The minimal instalation of 100w solar switched mode and one or two sockets is to ilustrate what is possible not what you need. I remember looking at new vans with 2 gas rings an one electric ring and microwave thinking whats that for, i had never even concidered electric hook up.
Am i right in thinking the how to threads have/are dieing out. Do Techno and Lenny HB need to get new vans?

 

[ManTheVan]

I am not surprised there are minimum usb 12v sockets the price of decent ones. My Rapido (2017)came with the 1usb 12v in cab and 1 usb in kitchen and 1 12v socket for telly and one 230v socket. Soon becomes obvious this is insuficient. Thanks for improvement threads by Techno , Lenny HB and Richard n Ann and advise from Raul . I now have 5 double USB sockets 5 12V and 230v sockets fixed ehu , invertor and a manualy switched one all fed from Cab or Hab lithium. Lithium controlled by BMV712 SOC and SSRs, power coming in via a votronics b2b 2 votronics mppt's and 550W solar. The cost of this is not insignificant but creates a useful van the way i want to use it. The minimal instalation of 100w solar switched mode and one or two sockets is to ilustrate what is possible not what you need. I remember looking at new vans with 2 gas rings an one electric ring and microwave thinking whats that for, i had never even concidered electric hook up.
Am i right in thinking the how to threads have/are dieing out. Do Techno and Lenny HB need to get new vans?

I’ve also got to put a vote of public thanks to Pausim, whose thread on installing a B2B with a relay to avoid a feedback loop was instrumental to me doing this successfully in our MH.

Staggered that you don’t have USBs, but as others have said, they’re easily installed.

 

[Where to next?]

Thanks all. I’m glad it’s not just me who found it strange. I do have a usb socket and cigarette lighter in the cab so can charge if I turn the ignition on but then I’m draining the cab battery not the leisure batteries. I’ll follow the threads that have been recommended and have a go at fitting a couple of usb sockets myself. Will also ask the dealer why in this day and age the van has 7 240v plug sockets yet no 12v?

 

[Jim]

Many modern makers don't fit USB sockets, it would tip them over-weight

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Riverbankannie]

Thanks all. I’m glad it’s not just me who found it strange. I do have a usb socket and cigarette lighter in the cab so can charge if I turn the ignition on but then I’m draining the cab battery not the leisure batteries. I’ll follow the threads that have been recommended and have a go at fitting a couple of usb sockets myself. Will also ask the dealer why in this day and age the van has 7 240v plug sockets yet no 12v?

In this older thread, it was suggested that you probably have a 12v socket for the TV. If so, you can purchase simple adapters wherever you are, to give a couple of USB outlets.

USB Sockets advice

Hi Folks Our Dethleffs Trend is proving to be a lovely MH but (there's always a "but") two things stand out at the moment which I really need to get sorted. The first issue is that on the Fiat cab, the cigarette lighter socket and the USB socket next to it on the dashboard both require the...

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

 

[Arnside037]

Is there a 12v cigarette lighter type outlet in the hab section? Usually used for TVs. You could get a twin usb adapter for that while you wait to fit some usb lights.
Like one of these
Amazon product ASIN B09J1ZZ737

 

[tonka]

As above I cant believe it comes with no USB or 12v sockets in the rear..
Are you certain there is not at least a Hella 12v socket in the back ?? , Look like a cigarette socket but smaller..

 

[Where to next?]

Yep. There’s a 12v tv power socket but I’m not sure at this stage if it’s just the plastic socket or if it actually has any wires connected to it. (Having it wired was probably another extra ). Once I’ve checked for power, the idea of a Hella adapter would be the easiest solution. Thanks Tonka. And thanks RBAnnie for the link. Once again, you’ve all been very helpful!

 

[scotzsue]

We have 2 12V ciggie lighter type sockets, one used for the tv and the other really accessible in the roof over the foot of the over garage bed we tried a double extension in this, we use it for John's CPAP but thought it would be handy for charging the phones, bitof advice don't use a cheap one unless you like searching for blown fuses.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[NigelNovice]

I discovered one of these in the electrics overhead cupboard in our MH, it had been adapted to be hard wired in and the socket removed, we use it to charge phones up overnight, monitors the battery/power supply not that its needed with the EC 325 set up

 

[xsparks]

Check your solar control panel, mine has got 2 usb points.

 

[the1andonly]

I’ve also got to put a vote of public thanks to Pausim, whose thread on installing a B2B with a relay to avoid a feedback loop was instrumental to me doing this successfully in our MH.

The cbe modification threads were vital to my b2b instalation. How could i have forgotten Pausim

 

[VXman]

Thanks all. I’m glad it’s not just me who found it strange. I do have a usb socket and cigarette lighter in the cab so can charge if I turn the ignition on but then I’m draining the cab battery not the leisure batteries. I’ll follow the threads that have been recommended and have a go at fitting a couple of usb sockets myself. Will also ask the dealer why in this day and age the van has 7 240v plug sockets yet no 12v?

7 240volt! Who needs that? We have 3 but that is plenty.

 

[chrisgreen]

even my mobility scooter has a USB socket handy for charging my e fag

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Wee Bold Davy]

You may find this video of use, minimal knowledge required

 

[Mike Warland]

Hi all you knowledgeable folk…

I bought a new Dethleffs Trend MH 18 months ago and to ensure I ‘never ran out of power’ I had a solar panel and second leisure battery fitted to give me the confidence that I’d have loads of power when off grid. For the first time since buying the MH we’ve been off grid in France for the last 2 weeks. My panel is showing I have continued 13.2V in my leisure batteries but I have no means of utilising it. Sure, I can leave the 12V lights on all day but I can’t charge my devices - iPhone, iPad etc. so to charge my phone I need to either run the engine or start the generator I carry with me. Seems crazy to me that I was able to buy a solar panel and extra leisure battery without being asked how I intend to use the extra energy generated and source but that’s Travelworld for you! I.e. I only have 3 pin, 240 volt sockets in the MH section which can’t use the electricity I’m storing. Any ideas on what I can do to enable me to charge phones etc. using the solar generated power? Thanks in advance…

I replaced my 4 spotlights in the lounge with lights that have a usb in the body. I got them off eBay we are now able to charge phones kindles and tablets.

 

[WildBunch]

Why not turn your fridge from gas to battery. That will help your gas consumption by using your free stored electricity. I do this quite often when not on hookup. Of course this depends on your actual system & equipment.
You do need to keep an eye on the battery state of charge. A smart shunt is very helpful in this matter.
It should be easy to retrofit USB sockets & connect to the hab battery.