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03-21-2024, 05:52 AM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: Longwood
Posts: 5
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Replacing outlets with combo usb charger/outlet
Is there any reason I cannot change out the standard AC outlets with those that also have USB charging ports as part of the outlet?
Thanks in advance for any help!!
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2018 Keystone Outback 328RL
2017 Dodge RAM 2500 MegaCab
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03-21-2024, 06:20 AM
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#2
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Site Team
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Modesto
Posts: 20,357
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Since RV outlets use a different method of attaching the romex, if your replacing an outlet that’s in the middle of a circuit, you may not have enough slack in the romex to keep the entire circuit live.
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2012 Copper Canyon 273FWRET being towed by a 1994 Ford F350 CC,LB,Dually diesel.
Airlift 5000 bags, Prodigy brake control, 5 gauges on the pillar.Used to tow a '97 Jayco 323RKS.
Now an RVIA registered tech. Retired from Law enforcement in 2008 after 25+ yrs.
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03-21-2024, 06:27 AM
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#3
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Site Team
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Gaylord
Posts: 26,998
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Also, RV outlets are a self contained outlet. In other words, the outlet is a "box with a back cover" which protects the wiring connections from shorting out behind the outlet. A conventional "S&B" outlet requires an outlet box to protect the back side of the outlet which has "exposed live contacts" that can short out and cause damage or possibly a fire.
So, if you're using "S&B outlets with USB ports" as a replacement for the self contained RV outlet fixtures, be sure to consider the depth of the wall in which you're installing them as you'll need "shallow depth old work boxes" to install in the wall to protect the exposed terminals on your new outlet fixtures. Some duplex outlets with USB ports are too deep to fit in a "shallow depth old work box"....
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John
2015 F250 6.7l 4x4
2014 Cougar X Lite 27RKS
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03-21-2024, 07:10 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: Henniker
Posts: 2,183
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As noted, RV outlets are self-boxing and inline on the Romex.
Basically, they strip a few inches of the outer sheathing from the Romex, spread out the individual conductors, press the wires into a "V" shaped blade inside without stripping or cutting the wires, snap the back on, and move to the next outlet in line.
That being said, I have something like 18 USB ports inside my camper (don't ask me why so many), but the only place there wasn't one was on the outside. I had a standard weatherproof outlet on the exterior wall under the refrigerator and above the furnace. So I removed the outlet (it was at the end of the line) added an old-work box, and then wired in a duplex outlet with twin USB ports, reinstalled the weather cover and we have been good.
The only caveat to all of this is that the inside USB outlets are wired to the 12v DC system and work 100% of the time. The ones that are integral to the duplex outlets only work if there is 120v AC power.
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Rob & Amy
2019 Passport 240BH SL (for sale)
2024 Cougar 29BHL (Taking delivery 5/11/24)
2022 Ford F250 7.3L Godzilla Crew Cab FX4
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03-21-2024, 07:20 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Texas
Posts: 1,090
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I added 2 outlets to our trailer that have USB ports on them, rather than replacing the originals.
I felt the trailer was kind of shy on outlets any way.
For the one near the entry door I used one of the blue "old work" boxes and tied into the outlet on the outside wall for power.
The outlet in the pantry wall was just mounted to the plywood, which is actually part of a double wall chase way and wired it right into the power distribution center.
-Brian
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2014 Bullet Premier 22RBPR - let the camping commence!
2013 F150 Platinum - 5.0 - 3.55 ELD + towing package
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03-21-2024, 07:22 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2021
Location: HATFIELD, PA
Posts: 215
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JRTJH
Also, RV outlets are a self contained outlet. In other words, the outlet is a "box with a back cover" which protects the wiring connections from shorting out behind the outlet. A conventional "S&B" outlet requires an outlet box to protect the back side of the outlet which has "exposed live contacts" that can short out and cause damage or possibly a fire.
So, if you're using "S&B outlets with USB ports" as a replacement for the self contained RV outlet fixtures, be sure to consider the depth of the wall in which you're installing them as you'll need "shallow depth old work boxes" to install in the wall to protect the exposed terminals on your new outlet fixtures. Some duplex outlets with USB ports are too deep to fit in a "shallow depth old work box"....
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John is correct. I just looked at a wall outlet with integral USB ports and it is about 1-1/2 the depth of a standard duplex outlet. You could look for a surface mount box of some sort to accommodate the outlet with USB ports.
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Greg and Linda
2021 Passport SL 221ML
2015 Sierra 1500, 5.3 L - SOLD
2022 Sierra 2500 HD, 6.6L Gasser
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03-21-2024, 08:52 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Mico, TX
Posts: 7,479
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Quote:
Originally Posted by swthurmond
Is there any reason I cannot change out the standard AC outlets with those that also have USB charging ports as part of the outlet?
Thanks in advance for any help!!
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I use one similar to this one: No wiring required. Remember that the multi-outlets are feeding off one circuit so don't overload by plugging in your coffee pot, hair dryer and use them all at once. I use mine for connection to my laptop and keep my cell phone charged; it is behind our dining table.
https://www.amazon.com/Charger-Prote...21&sr=8-1&th=1
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wiredgeorge Mico TX
2006 F350 CC 4WD 6.0L
2002 Keystone Cougar 278
2006 GL1800 Roadsmith Trike
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03-21-2024, 09:22 AM
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#8
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Site Team
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Joppa, MD
Posts: 11,763
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The other option is to use a shallow old work box and then install a box extender to it. This will provide a stard depth box but the box extender will protrude from the wall. Many trailers were done this way from the factory to place a GFCI outlet in the bathroom.
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Marshall
2012 Laredo 303 TG
2010 F250 LT Super Cab, long bed, 4X4, 6.4 Turbo Diesel
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03-22-2024, 04:01 AM
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#9
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Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: Longwood
Posts: 5
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Thank you for all the sage advice!! I guess I should have looked at the back of the outlet first. I think I may go the added box route as opposed to trying to replace the current outlets. I found some online but of course they are white and I need brown...
I think the direct 12 volt may be the best. We have enough outlets for A/C but only two USB charger outlets. I will update with pictures when completed.
Thanks again for all the information.
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2018 Keystone Outback 328RL
2017 Dodge RAM 2500 MegaCab
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03-28-2024, 07:14 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: Wickenburg
Posts: 3,314
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Given how easy it is to plug an add-on multiplier with USB outlets (like wiredgeorge's) into an existing socket, the only reason I ever found to add an actual USB outlet (actually, a "cigarette lighter" and USB outlet) was to have a socket that was live off the battery without shore power, for my CPAP. Otherwise, the multipliers are the bee's knees.
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2019 Cougar 26RBSWE
2019 Ford F-250
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03-28-2024, 08:26 AM
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#11
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2023
Location: ESTES PARK
Posts: 12
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I added a couple of these to my outlets. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...e?ie=UTF8&th=1
Gave me an extra plug plus 2 USB outlets. Just be sure to get one where the USB outlets can charge at the higher rate of 2.4 amps.
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03-28-2024, 11:21 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Indiana
Posts: 2,720
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Similar to the above post, we added several of these in choice locations. We used Velcro and attached them to the wall to save shelf space. They work great.
Click here.
In other areas of the camper where we needed extra plugs we added these. They are also hard screwed to the wall or to the top of a fixture: Click here.
Using these requires no electrical modifications to the camper and creates a simple and clean way to fulfill a need with minimal effort.
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2019 Montana High Country 375FL
2014 Chevy Duramax HD 6.6 - 3500 Diesel Dully Long bed Crew Cab
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03-28-2024, 08:06 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: Jacksonville
Posts: 542
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I replaced several RV cheap receptacles with proper Leviton outlets. Sometimes you have to do some modifications. I've even replaced some Romex runs because factory installed wiring was hokey and short.
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2020 Cougar Half Ton 29RKS Fifth Wheel
2019 F350 4WD Lariat SRW 6.7 Diesel SD
Anderson Ultimate 5th Hitch - JT Strongarm TST509 TPMS- 2200W(8)Solar Panels - 800AH BattleBorn Batteries. 3000W Victron MultiPlus II Inv. SoftStartRV on 2 AC’s - Predator 3500 generator Airlift 5000 bags
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