USB Sockets advice

[kenwardc]

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 ignition to be on before they work. This means we can only charge one phone at a time (VERY slowly, for some reason). We need to have the phones on charge both when driving and when stopped, as we work from the MH and need to use the phones and tablets while out and about.

The second issue is that there are no USB charging points anywhere else in the MH. There are a few 13 amp sockets strewn around the habitation area and I'd like to:

(a) change one of them so that it has two USB sockets rather than the 13 amp plug socket.
(b) have it "live" all the time so we can charge phones on the go.

Has anyone done this? Is it easy enough to do? Any advice gratefully received.

Cheers
Chris

 

[Neilfg]

Got fed up with the faff of plugging and unpluging cables about so ended up buying the following chargers also bought extra cables so each has a set of 3 cables (2 phones and 1 tablet or mifi), when we stop if on EHU get the 3 pin out, if noEHU then the 12v comes out, only plugged in when being used, and if not on EHU not over night, plug it in when we are in the van and unplug when charged. The 12v provides 2.4a on all the sockets, not QC 3 (3amp), but close enough. Yet again surprised at the quality for the price.

Amazon product ASIN B01MY2ILOH
and

Amazon product ASIN B01E5OX594

 

[robnchris]

The way that FIAT powered the dashboard with no way of having a radio or anything else on without the ignition being on is a bloody disgrace. Too many people make excuses for them, but sadly they provide the underpinnings of lots of our motorhomes. So we're stuck with it & gotta make the best of a bad lot.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Anker-USB...212122&hash=item44026e109f:g:bRMAAOSwONBZAbO8

We have a 2013 Fiat cab on our Apache and the radio can be used without the ignition, makes sense as it`s the main entertainment when on hook up.

 

[peterc10]

USB sockets never ever charge stuff up anywhere like as efficiently as a 12v plug, we just use the cab sockets (2 x 12v) for the sat nav and rear camera system, plugging them in as required - we found out the hard way that using a USB lead for the sat nav meant it didn't get enough juice to replace what was being used and it died on us at a most inopportune time! If we need to plug something else in the cab whilst driving we either remove one of the items we're charging already, or use a USB dual socket for a short while but more likely than not we just plug the item into one of the rear 12v sockets as fortunately ours stay live whilst we're travelling!

I know this goes against the grain of inverters and things, but we have found, we have phones that come with a "turbo"charger that plugs in to 240v and will charge them up in less than a couple of hours, whereas trying to charge them from an ordinary 12 volt socket takes all night or even more BUT if we plug the turbo charger into the inverter they charge up as quick as at home, I know all about useing more power and that but for us it works

12v USB plugs and adaptors come in different guises. If you get a lower powered one then charging can be painfully slow. I use one rated at over 2.1W and it charges as quickly as a standard 240v powered one. Not as fast as as the new generation of 240V fast chargers but all my appliances are easily charged to full overnight.

 

[Whitebirdyman]

They charge my Samsung tablet whilst it's being used with the GPS running.

The Samsung tablet I use with Co-pilot for navigation was failing to charge properly. Although it looked to be charging when plugged into a usb adapter in the dash 12v socket, it would go dead in about 3 hours.

In my case, the usb adapter was OK, it was the cable I was using that was rubbish. I changed to some braded cables from Amazon and the tablet now charges quickly and I arrive at the end of a trip fully charged.

I noticed at the Norfolk show a couple of stands selling metal usb cables (and nothing else!) I wondered if anyone had tried these and whether they were any good?

Jim

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[Neilfg]

Hi. I'm surprised no-one has praised the mobile phone power banks that can be purchased easily these days. Keep it charged and it will get you out of trouble very quickly. Has done for me. Mike.

We used to have a battery pack with a solar panel (rubbish), but recently bought a travel adapter, battery and charger all in one, only used in anger once but it topped 2 phones up nicely, the great thing is that whilst being used as an adapter in sockets abroad for the laptop it charges the battery bank whilst also charging the phones, little use in the van but great when travelling abroad

Amazon product ASIN B01LYZFNXF

 

[joka250]

The way that FIAT powered the dashboard with no way of having a radio or anything else on without the ignition being on is a bloody disgrace. Too many people make excuses for them, but sadly they provide the underpinnings of lots of our motorhomes. So we're stuck with it & gotta make the best of a bad lot.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Anker-USB...212122&hash=item44026e109f:g:bRMAAOSwONBZAbO8

 

[joka250]

The reason Fiat and most other vehicle manufacturers now limit the use of auxiliary ignition is that leaving any power on will produce a significant drain on vehicle battery as various control modules will cause a drain even before we plug in 3 phones and an i-pad for charging. We Funsters might use it sensibly but sadly we are in a minority.

 

[kenwardc]

On our Fiat Ducato Cab we can turn on the radio without the ignition on by pressing the head units power knob, this also powers up the USB socket! Not sure if this is a new thing but definetly an improvement if by the sounds of it they never used to!

The "head unit" ??? Do you mean the radio?

 

[kenwardc]

I use these,

Scosche USBC242M Dual 12W USB Car Charger from Amazon plugged into a four way 12v cigarette socket adapter

Thanks - I've just bought one! Will give feedback when it arrives.

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[autorouter]

I know this goes against the grain of inverters and things, but we have found, we have phones that come with a "turbo"charger that plugs in to 240v and will charge them up in less than a couple of hours, whereas trying to charge them from an ordinary 12 volt socket takes all night or even more BUT if we plug the turbo charger into the inverter they charge up as quick as at home, I know all about useing more power and that but for us it works

You need to get a "turbo" charger that plugs into a 12V socket. They exist, but are hard to find amongst the many mediocre ones. I just bought some of these, and they work very well:

Amazon product ASIN B01K9MQ8WW
Here's a repeat of the explanation I put in a previous thread. Bored funsters can look away now...

Many modern devices like smartphones use a systems called Quick Charge 2.0 or 3.0. Look for QC2 or QC3 on the charger.

It uses the two USB data lines to communicate between the charger and the device, and if they recognise each other they will boost not just the current but also the voltage. So the USB socket can give out 9V or 12V to selected devices. The aim is to charge the device from flat to 80% in 30 minutes, then throttle back the charge to top it up to 100% at a more average rate.

If the device is not recognised, the socket gives out the standard USB 5.0V, at a current of up to 3 amps depending on what the device demands. So it's safe to use to charge your older devices.

In my case, the usb adapter was OK, it was the cable I was using that was rubbish. I changed to some braded cables from Amazon and the tablet now charges quickly and I arrive at the end of a trip fully charged.

Some USB charging cables have only the 2 power wires, and the 2 data wires are missing. Fair enough, if you bought it with a charger, I suppose.

But as I said above, the data wires are used for the QC2 and QC3 'turbo' chargers. Using 2-wire cables makes them revert to standard USB chargers.

I don't know of a simple way to check these cables before buying them, other than to ask if they will do data as well as charging.

 

[top0cat]

The "head unit" ??? Do you mean the radio?

The radio is a function of the 'head unit' as is built in navigation, media etc!!

 

[Ex-caravantugger]

On our Fiat Ducato Cab we can turn on the radio without the ignition on by pressing the head units power knob, this also powers up the USB socket! Not sure if this is a new thing but definetly an improvement if by the sounds of it they never used to!

My Fiat ducato allows the radio to work without the ignition being on. Thanks for the heads up about the USB. I'll try it next week when we use the Moho again. Mike

 

[top0cat]

My Fiat ducato allows the radio to work without the ignition being on. Thanks for the heads up about the USB. I'll try it next week when we use the Moho again. Mike

No probs Mike. We quite often listen to music through vans speakers when chilling out on a night so comes in very handy and also keeps phone charged

 

[kenwardc]

Just tested mine. The radio unit doesn't work withe ignition off.

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[top0cat]

Just tested mine. The radio unit doesn't work withe ignition off.

What year Cab is it? It may be a recent change Fiat have made? Seems like plenty of other options out there anyway I need a couple of additional 240v sockets so that'll be my first mod, although struggling to find a match to the others fitted in the MoHo

 

[kenwardc]

What year Cab is it?

Hi there - Mine's a 2016 year.

 

[Mr Chrysalis]

I got mine from https://www.caravanaccessoryshop.co.uk

 

[top0cat]

Hmmm mines a 2017 but didn't think it'd be any different! Does your head unit look like this:

 

[joka250]

Just checked my 2015 Ducato. Radio and USB port both work but the ignition has to be switched on to activate, when on switch radio on and then ignition off. This allows radio and USB to run for an hour then they switch off. I have also discovered that a Toyota, a Ford and a Volvo we have all do the same.

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[top0cat]

I'm sure I switched mine on without the key in the ignition, however I'm not sure how long it was on for! I'll check it out this weekend

 

[Camdoon]

Just been trying to count up the items I have been charging for the past couple of weeks.
Wife, four sons and self = 6 iPhones.
1 Apple Watch
1 electric toothbrush charger - 4 different electrical toothbrushes.
1 Mifi
3/4 iPads
3 battery packs
TPMS
2 Apple Macs
As you can imagine everyone pulled every cable out apart from theirs and the battery packs were strewn about the place discharged. Happy times. Easier now that it is down to the two of us .

 

[top0cat]

I got mine from https://www.caravanaccessoryshop.co.uk

Thanks for link. Ours are brown sockets/switches which I haven't found anywhere! Might have to get the grey ones and swap brown ones you can't see with the grey!

 

[Mr Chrysalis]

I've just had another search. I can find brown double socket surrounds but no brown sockets of any type. The Ines I fitted in the bedroom are dark grey/black. I thought that The originals in the kitchen area were brown, but they are also dark grey/black. I must have been thinking of our previous Autotrail. What about changing the brown surrounds for black ones to match your new ones?

 

[top0cat]

These sockets also have spring loaded covers on them (probably from some niche little factory in Italy ) Might look at your suggestion of swapping them all out..... I'm a sucker for things looking factory fitted

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[Mr Chrysalis]

My fashion advisor, Mrs @Chrysalis thinks my idea of a black surround on a brown socket is "less than desireable" so I think changing them is the only solution. You might be able to sell the brown ones on the forum as others may also be thinking of adding brown sockets

 

[top0cat]

I tired turning on the head unit after a day with no keys in the ignition and it still turned on. The USB socket at the bottom of the pic also powers up allowing us to charge phone etc as this must be connected direct to the head unit. The USB socket next to the cigarette lighter however doesn't work, this needs the ignition on!

 

[kenwardc]

Hmmm mines a 2017 but didn't think it'd be any different! Does your head unit look like this:

Hi there - no the head unit on mine has been changed. The previous owner installed a Kenwood DDX4015BT unit which does all kinds of fancy things (other than work with the ignition switched off!). I'm really quite acid about the fact that the dash is completely dead with the ignition off. Also, there is no "accessory" position on the ignition. OFF or ON or START is all.

Grrrr... I'm loathe to get someone to change it as I'm concerned it may invalidate the Fiat warranty of which there are still 2 years to go.

Thoughts?

Cheers
Chris

 

[Lenny HB]

Hi there - no the head unit on mine has been changed. The previous owner installed a Kenwood DDX4015BT unit which does all kinds of fancy things (other than work with the ignition switched off!). I'm really quite acid about the fact that the dash is completely dead with the ignition off. Also, there is no "accessory" position on the ignition. OFF or ON or START is all.

Grrrr... I'm loathe to get someone to change it as I'm concerned it may invalidate the Fiat warranty of which there are still 2 years to go.

Thoughts?

Cheers
Chris

Just wire it to the leisure battery that's what I always do, have too as I've wired the TV sound via the head unit.

 

[kenwardc]

Just wire it to the leisure battery that's what I always do, have too as I've wired the TV sound via the head unit.

Not something I'd like to attempt, Lenny but good thought!

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[Northernraider]

The stereo should have two live feeds one which is constant to keep the clock and radio station etc and one which is to ignition they are usually red and yellow.
You can always bridge those two connections so it has a constant live feed but you will have to remember to switch the radio off if you do this.
My 2008 ducato the stereo works without ignition but has to be switched off and on manually, it's an aftermarket stereo the previous owners have had fitted, as yet I'm unsure if it's still wired to the main battery or the hab battery I'll find out when I'm replacing it as I want to fit one with Bluetooth and sd/USB functions.
I've two cigarette lighter sockets which are dead when ignition is off which isn't good I plan to either rewire these with a switch or fit extra ones with live feeds