thecookster Posted August 23, 2014 Share Posted August 23, 2014 Have just fitted my two USB sockets at the front of my Sterling Eccles Sport in the two blanking plates that Swift left. Look far nicer than two grey squares and far more practical! Loving it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Digger_07 Posted August 23, 2014 Share Posted August 23, 2014 Very Nice, where did you get them from and how much, I assume you have connected it up to the 12V system. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David 38 Posted August 23, 2014 Share Posted August 23, 2014 What purpose do these USB sockets serve please? Quote Regards, David Peugeot 308 GT Premium, 1.5 diesel 2021 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thecookster Posted August 23, 2014 Author Share Posted August 23, 2014 Very Nice, where did you get them from and how much, I assume you have connected it up to the 12V system. I got them from Kiravans, think they were about £20. .. Thankfully, Swift left a convenient 12V feed under the binnacle, so I utilised that supply. . What purpose do these USB sockets serve please? It means I can plug a USB charging cable in and use the 12V system to power/recharge phones etc, or looking at it a different way; given the number of devices we have to charge, we can now charge four at once at the front of the van. ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David 38 Posted August 23, 2014 Share Posted August 23, 2014 I got them from Kiravans, think they were about £20. .. Thankfully, Swift left a convenient 12V feed under the binnacle, so I utilised that supply. . It means I can plug a USB charging cable in and use the 12V system to power/recharge phones etc, or looking at it a different way; given the number of devices we have to charge, we can now charge four at once at the front of the van. ... A good idea but I thought the out put from a USB was 5 volt and not 12 volt a battery gives, higher if on mains hook up. Quote Regards, David Peugeot 308 GT Premium, 1.5 diesel 2021 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Digger_07 Posted August 23, 2014 Share Posted August 23, 2014 Thankyou cookster for the swift reply, I am looking to do the same in my van, over the winter months, doing some jobs in winter helps keep an eye on the van for any potential water ingress and also helps to keep it aired. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thecookster Posted August 23, 2014 Author Share Posted August 23, 2014 A good idea but I thought the out put from a USB was 5 volt and not 12 volt a battery gives, higher if on mains hook up. They are connected to the 12V system, but the socket actually outputs 5V, so presume there is some shenanigans going on inside the unit to downrate the voltage. .... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Digger_07 Posted August 23, 2014 Share Posted August 23, 2014 Yes there is a little circuit board inside with everything it needs to reduce the voltage to 5v without getting to technical. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thecookster Posted August 23, 2014 Author Share Posted August 23, 2014 (edited) Yes there is a little circuit board inside with everything it needs to reduce the voltage to 5v without getting to technical. Thought so - electrical magickery is all I need to know. ... Edited August 23, 2014 by thecookster Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scaramanga Posted August 23, 2014 Share Posted August 23, 2014 That looks a job well done . With all the smartphones and tablets people use these days manufacturers should look at standard fitting USB ports. Id also like to see the manufacturers who make the sockets(C-Line/CBE) do a HDMI socket. I had to make mine up myself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gumdrop Posted August 23, 2014 Share Posted August 23, 2014 Bit pricy for a single usb http://www. kiravans. co. uk/cbe-usb-charger-socket. html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David 38 Posted August 23, 2014 Share Posted August 23, 2014 Yes found the idea here http://www. powerfuluk. com/products/spotlights-and-bulbs-wiring-looms/12v-usb-caravan-charger-socket. html 11 to 15 volt input. Quote Regards, David Peugeot 308 GT Premium, 1.5 diesel 2021 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Digger_07 Posted August 23, 2014 Share Posted August 23, 2014 Bit pricy for a single usb http://www. kiravans. co. uk/cbe-usb-charger-socket. html I suppose its the price you pay to get the right one to fit the blank socket he had in the van, if you look at the pictures you would never know they wasn't fitted in the factory, he has done a superb job, I, however can go for the cheaper ones as I don't have that problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Halohodge Posted August 23, 2014 Share Posted August 23, 2014 Good idea, was there any problem connecting the power supply, did you have to remove unit/drawers etc. to get access. or was it possible to work from the bottom drawer below the unit. Quote Swift Fairway pulled by a Ford Mondeo 2. 0 Business Edition 5 door hatchback Adventure before Dementia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CommanderDave Posted August 23, 2014 Share Posted August 23, 2014 (edited) That looks a job well done . With all the smartphones and tablets people use these days manufacturers should look at standard fitting USB ports. Id also like to see the manufacturers who make the sockets(C-Line/CBE) do a HDMI socket. I had to make mine up myself. US RVs come with USB sockets as standard on some 2015 models so I think it is not far away over here. Dave Edited August 23, 2014 by CommanderDave Quote Jeep Commander 3. 0 V6 CRD Isuzu D- Max Utah Auto Elddis Crusader Storm 2000 Kgs, Unipart Royal Atlas Mover . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Digger_07 Posted August 23, 2014 Share Posted August 23, 2014 it's typical of the British industry always last to catch up with the rest of the world, I have no idea what world they live in, technology is all around us and in our faces you can't tell me they haven't caught on yet. USB is one of the oldest ports and most common one use today. The car industry install them. Oops!! forgot they not British. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thecookster Posted August 23, 2014 Author Share Posted August 23, 2014 Good idea, was there any problem connecting the power supply, did you have to remove unit/drawers etc. to get access. or was it possible to work from the bottom drawer below the unit. Undid most of the screws that held the binnacle in place, couldn't get the one behind the drawers, then just pulled the 12V wire towards front of van, as it has enough slack. That way, didn't have to worry about the drawers and getting them out etc. US RVs come with USB sockets as standard on some 2015 models so I think it is not far away over here. Dave Swift put them in the higher spec models already, which is why the 12V feed is there already probably. .. As you say, these days, they should be standard. I suppose its the price you pay to get the right one to fit the blank socket he had in the van, if you look at the pictures you would never know they wasn't fitted in the factory, he has done a superb job, I, however can go for the cheaper ones as I don't have that problem. It was indeed to get the factory look; also I can take these out if I change the van and they are standard CBE fitting, so will go into any van. ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Halohodge Posted August 23, 2014 Share Posted August 23, 2014 (edited) Does this kind of work invalid your warranty, I would be very wary if I had a `short` and had to take it back to the dealer, dont think they would look very kindly on my handwork, just a thought. Edited August 23, 2014 by Halohodge Quote Swift Fairway pulled by a Ford Mondeo 2. 0 Business Edition 5 door hatchback Adventure before Dementia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WispMan Posted August 23, 2014 Share Posted August 23, 2014 it's typical of the British industry always last to catch up with the rest of the world, I have no idea what world they live in, technology is all around us and in our faces you can't tell me they haven't caught on yet. USB is one of the oldest ports and most common one use today. The car industry install them. Oops!! forgot they not British. I understand that most of the 2015 vans will have a state of the art 5. 1/4" floppy drive. 360kB ! Quote Graham Unless otherwise stated all posts are my personal opinion Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nme2no1 Posted August 23, 2014 Share Posted August 23, 2014 I understand that most of the 2015 vans will have a state of the art 5. 1/4" floppy drive. 360kB ! No, that would be state of the ark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thecookster Posted August 23, 2014 Author Share Posted August 23, 2014 Does this kind of work invalid your warranty, I would be very wary if I had a `short` and had to take it back to the dealer, dont think they would look very kindly on my handwork, just a thought. As the supply is fused, it wouldn't do any harm and besides, I can easily remove with no worries and restore to factory defaults. ... I think If it was going to do anything it would have done it by now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Digger_07 Posted August 23, 2014 Share Posted August 23, 2014 I understand that most of the 2015 vans will have a state of the art 5. 1/4" floppy drive. 360kB ! Wow!! I can't wait to see the new vans if this technology is going to be the standard for 2015, it will make my 2002 van look space age, I must be way ahead of my time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc Rigden Posted August 24, 2014 Share Posted August 24, 2014 I was looking at fitting one of these sockets close to the radio in my van http://www. ebay. co. uk/itm/Dual-USB-Car-Cigarette-Lighter-Socket-Splitter-12V-Charger-Power-Adapter-Outlet-/161398745068?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item25941d67ec Now we both have iPhones and an iPad and only three sockets around the van, it means the cupboard next to the radio and houses the status aerial I can charge the phones/iPad without cables running all over the place. Quote 2014 VW Passat 2. 0TDI pulling a 2009 Bailey Ranger GT60 460/4. Life is good when away caravanning Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TonyJover Posted August 24, 2014 Share Posted August 24, 2014 Looks good. Be sure to feed it with a decent fused feed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc Rigden Posted August 24, 2014 Share Posted August 24, 2014 I will be fitting an inline fuse holder and a rated fuse. Quote 2014 VW Passat 2. 0TDI pulling a 2009 Bailey Ranger GT60 460/4. Life is good when away caravanning Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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