Mobile phone charging.

[garry55]

What's the best system for charging mobile phones and back-up battery packs when not on ehu? Our Moho has 3 ciggy lighter sockets but they only work when the ignition is switched on. We need something that can run overnight without flattening the leisure batteries.

 

[Nedge68]

Do you not have cig lighter sockets that work off the leisure battery? If so you can change them to usb outlets, we have a couple in ours giving us 4 usb sockets in total.

 

[garry55]

Do you not have cig lighter sockets that work off the leisure battery? If so you can change them to usb outlets, we have a couple in ours so 4 usb sockets in total.

No - all 3 ciggy lighter sockets only go live when the ignition is switched on

 

[Figaro]

You need to fit a couple of usb's from the leisure batteries

 

[DBK]

Something like this, not necessarily this specific model, but something like this. Fitted with a 5A fuse into the Aux circuit if your MH has one so you can isolate them.

Amazon product ASIN B091F3L93M
www.amazon.co.uk/Charger-Waterproof-Adapter-Vehicles-Motorcycle/dp/B091F3L93M/

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[62272]

We use large capacity power banks which we charge back up when on EHU. However we are rarely off EHU for long.

 

[garry55]

We use large capacity power banks which we charge back up when on EHU. However we are rarely off EHU for long.

I have 2 power banks to charge 3 phones but would like to spend more time away from campsites and ehu.

 

[PaulC70]

We always charge when on the move, ipad that I use for sat nav is always being charge, usually one of our iphones is on charge, if not, an apple watch or failing that we have a small powerbank off amazon about the size of a fat fag packet on charge.

 

[Guigsy]

I've got a few USB points around. Even the laptops charge on a 30w USB C connector now. I 3d printed enclosures for those 12v barrel shaped adaptors. Hooked them up to a hab battery circuit.

 

[Stealaway]

What's the best system for charging mobile phones and back-up battery packs when not on ehu? Our Moho has 3 ciggy lighter sockets but they only work when the ignition is switched on. We need something that can run overnight without flattening the leisure batteries.

Wire one of these to any 12v supply from the leisure battery.

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[Spriddler]

A biker pal charges his from a 230v socket when in a McDonalds or a pub. He says that people also seem to plug in their laptops as well.

 

[Mike001]

If you have Makita battery power tools, you can get a usb adapter that goes on the battery. Gives around 12 charges for a 5ah battery. Allows charging if phones tablets etc. I guess other brands do it also (?)

 

[Minxy]

Its easy to fit extra 12v sockets going direct from the leisure battery, the hardest part is often finding a way to run the cable depending on where your battery is. I've put sockets in quite a few MHs/campers having learned how to do it from the bods on here.

From a safety point of view however I never charge them up overnight, ever, not even at home, as sometimes the chargers or kit can overheat and melt/burst in to flames.

 

[autorouter]

I couldn't do without some 12V cigarette-lighter sockets wired from the leisure battery (through a fuse, of course). It's one of the first mods on most people's lists. I prefer those USB car adapters that go into cigarette-lighter sockets. USB types seem to change and go out of fashion very quickly,and I can just buy a new adapter rather than rewiring sockets.

You can get panel mounted sockets, where you cut a hole in a panel and recess the socket so it's flush. Or you can get a surface mount type, which is easier to fit but sticks out above the surface.

Panel Mount Cigar Lighter Power Socket - 12V/24V 20A max.

Panel mounted cigar lighter style power socket with max. current rating of 20A. Suitable for 12V & 24V systems. Optional panel & pod mounts available.

www.12voltplanet.co.uk

Surface Mounted 12V Power Socket

Surface mounted, 12V power socket with rubber cover to make it splash proof when not in use. Suitable for marine or external vehicle use. Rated 16A.

www.12voltplanet.co.uk

 

[philann]

We replace our 12V spotlights with these which have a USB port for charging things. Available on eBay or Amazon for around £20 per pair.

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[Shrimp]

USB sockets, then charge stuff whilst travelling, or parked up, our iPads, phones etc are all charged up from them.

 

[Manic]

Has your van got a 12volt socket for powering a TV, use that or splice usb adapter into it.

 

[MisterB]

I couldn't do without some 12V cigarette-lighter sockets wired from the leisure battery (through a fuse, of course). It's one of the first mods on most people's lists. I prefer those USB car adapters that go into cigarette-lighter sockets. USB types seem to change and go out of fashion very quickly,and I can just buy a new adapter rather than rewiring sockets.

You can get panel mounted sockets, where you cut a hole in a panel and recess the socket so it's flush. Or you can get a surface mount type, which is easier to fit but sticks out above the surface.

Panel Mount Cigar Lighter Power Socket - 12V/24V 20A max.

Panel mounted cigar lighter style power socket with max. current rating of 20A. Suitable for 12V & 24V systems. Optional panel & pod mounts available.

www.12voltplanet.co.uk

Surface Mounted 12V Power Socket

Surface mounted, 12V power socket with rubber cover to make it splash proof when not in use. Suitable for marine or external vehicle use. Rated 16A.

www.12voltplanet.co.uk

Re the above suggestion.... do you have a 12v TV outlet you could utilise to plug in the suggested adapter?

 

[Guigsy]

I couldn't do without some 12V cigarette-lighter sockets wired from the leisure battery (through a fuse, of course). It's one of the first mods on most people's lists. I prefer those USB car adapters that go into cigarette-lighter sockets. USB types seem to change and go out of fashion very quickly,and I can just buy a new adapter rather than rewiring sockets.

You can get panel mounted sockets, where you cut a hole in a panel and recess the socket so it's flush. Or you can get a surface mount type, which is easier to fit but sticks out above the surface.

Panel Mount Cigar Lighter Power Socket - 12V/24V 20A max.

Panel mounted cigar lighter style power socket with max. current rating of 20A. Suitable for 12V & 24V systems. Optional panel & pod mounts available.

www.12voltplanet.co.uk

Surface Mounted 12V Power Socket

Surface mounted, 12V power socket with rubber cover to make it splash proof when not in use. Suitable for marine or external vehicle use. Rated 16A.

www.12voltplanet.co.uk

I found cigarette adapters are unreliable. They wiggle loose and seem to fail more frequently.

I've had USB devices for over 20 years. The older USB A socket isn't going anywhere. It is limited to about 10w. USB C can manage much more, but if your adapter can only step down from 12v, it's limited to about 30w. But laptops have become so efficient now that this is enough to charge them in use.

 

[62272]

I have 2 power banks to charge 3 phones but would like to spend more time away from campsites and ehu.

You’re best off going down the solar panel route and 12v plug socket charging (as above suggestions).

Should be fine if in sunny climes

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[autorouter]

I've had USB devices for over 20 years. The older USB A socket isn't going anywhere. It is limited to about 10w. USB C can manage much more, but if your adapter can only step down from 12v, it's limited to about 30w. But laptops have become so efficient now that this is enough to charge them in use.

The latest USB-C sockets are a world away from the old USB 2.1A square sockets. They are 'smart', and use the USB data lines to communicate with the device, and find its capabilities. Then if all is compatible, it can boost the voltage from 5V to 9V, 12V or even 20V. The ones with 'PD' (= Power Delivery) can charge up to 20V 5A, ie 100W. But if you plug in a standard phone that can only take 5V then it's fine for that too.

That's why I prefer car adapters, because things change so fast. But eventually these types become available as sockets you can build in, powered by the 12V supply, so if that's what you prefer, go for them instead. Just make sure you read the small print and don't go for the 'Fast Charger' headline, that can mean anything and nothing.

 

[Guigsy]

The latest USB-C sockets are a world away from the old USB 2.1A square sockets. They are 'smart', and use the USB data lines to communicate with the device, and find its capabilities. Then if all is compatible, it can boost the voltage from 5V to 9V, 12V or even 20V. The ones with 'PD' (= Power Delivery) can charge up to 20V 5A, ie 100W. But if you plug in a standard phone that can only take 5V then it's fine for that too.

That's why I prefer car adapters, because things change so fast. But eventually these types become available as sockets you can build in, powered by the 12V supply, so if that's what you prefer, go for them instead. Just make sure you read the small print and don't go for the 'Fast Charger' headline, that can mean anything and nothing.

USB C is better. But USB A has been around for nearly 30 years. It's still plenty fast enough for charging smaller devices like phones, so it'll be with us for a long time yet.

USB C does go beyond 5v. But if it's a basic 12v adaptor and isn't doing any fancy step-up conversion, it's limited to 12v which is roughly 30w. Like I said, that's enough to slowly charge my 15" laptop while I'm using it... Although I do get notifications that it can't get the 65w it'd like. It's still much more convenient than an inverter and PSU or a dedicated car adapter.

 

[MisterB]

USB C is better. But USB A has been around for nearly 30 years. It's still plenty fast enough for charging smaller devices like phones, so it'll be with us for a long time yet.

USB C does go beyond 5v. But if it's a basic 12v adaptor and isn't doing any fancy step-up conversion, it's limited to 12v which is roughly 30w. Like I said, that's enough to slowly charge my 15" laptop while I'm using it... Although I do get notifications that it can't get the 65w it'd like. It's still much more convenient than an inverter and PSU or a dedicated car adapter.

im not sure anything is more convenient than a well set up inverter ..... but its a hell of a lot more expensive than a plug in type gadget ...

 

[Guigsy]

im not sure anything is more convenient than a well set up inverter ..... but its a hell of a lot more expensive than a plug in type gadget ...

I can use the same USB C to C cable for our phones, two laptops and a tablet. No bulky PSU just for the laptop required.

 

[DBK]

The latest USB-C sockets are a world away from the old USB 2.1A square sockets. They are 'smart', and use the USB data lines to communicate with the device, and find its capabilities. Then if all is compatible, it can boost the voltage from 5V to 9V, 12V or even 20V. The ones with 'PD' (= Power Delivery) can charge up to 20V 5A, ie 100W. But if you plug in a standard phone that can only take 5V then it's fine for that too.

That's why I prefer car adapters, because things change so fast. But eventually these types become available as sockets you can build in, powered by the 12V supply, so if that's what you prefer, go for them instead. Just make sure you read the small print and don't go for the 'Fast Charger' headline, that can mean anything and nothing.

Thanks for that info. I knew the USB C standard allowed for higher voltages but hadn't thought how you can use that in a MH. A bit of Googling throws up a few sockets with a PD type C socket as well as the conventional USB socket. They look slightly odd as the PD socket is a C socket itself so to connect your device you need a lead with male C connectors on each end. I suspect this is to ensure it is only used with compatible devices.

I might look at trying one but need to check if my existing wiring for the sockets we have now can take the extra current. They may need beefing up.

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