Show me your USB chargers

[Stephenmarklay]

[Stephenmarklay]

[figborg]

[ragnarhairybreeks]

[Gnarlodious]

Maybe I have Vanagon overkill disease. All 3 of these systems run off of auxiliary power.

I don’t think of it as USB but rather 5-volt power, as none of these systems I saw so far actually connect USB. I do have the USB hub that looks like this:

This Plugable USB hub is solid and charges an iPad quick. It supports any USB device and also connects to my MacBook. The really great thing about this one is that it powers external hard disks and supports the fast USB3 data transfer.

I also have this convenience unit in the dashboard:

http://powerwerx.com/panel-mount-dual-usb-device-charger
PowerWerx products are high quality and I strongly recommend them.

Thirdly, I have a dedicated 5-volt system for other devices that run on 5 volts, such as dashcams and Raspberry Pi:

This is a cheap 5 volt converter I bought off of eBay, but it has worked flawlessly for about 4 years. The voltage display was too bright blue so I stuck window tint on it. The back of the board is magnetized so it sticks to the sheet metal:

Outlets for this system are standard DC barrel jacks on all 4 sides for cameras, and a few others for other devices:

The size in case anyone wants to know is barrel connectors 1.35mm x 3.5mm. Ironically this size is standard on 5volt chargers and yet there is no such thing as a USB cable adapter. Thus I have to custom make a wire to powwr the dashcams from these outlets. But its worth it because I can turn on and off the cameras from a central location.
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Vanagon ’83 diesel AAZ w/Giles injection, 5spd 4.57R&P+TBD and a '78 diesel Rabbit

[WestleyTheWesty]

Used a dremel to cut out the stock fridge vent and installed two Blue Sea lighter sockets. Works great, easy, and I can install any type of charger needed. I usually use an Anker 2 port USB quick charger plus our laptop charger (12v plug, less juice than an inverter).
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1990 Westy, started stock, not anymore!

[davevickery]

I just bought a 2 port USB cigarette sized plug and it has a blue LED on it. So that is drawing constant power now (although I didn't check how much).
I thought it would light up when something was plugged in, not on all the time. It seems to be a pretty standard style USB port.

What are you guys doing? Leaving the led on all the time, adding a switch? Or did you find one that doesn't have a light?

Dave

[fxr]

I added a couple of ON-OFF-ON (double throw with centre off) switches. They switch between main and aux battery, plus off when not required. These also switch the extra 12V outlets.
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Jim Crowther
1984 1.9l EJ22 Westy Wolfsburg Edition
Vespa GTS 300

[70coupyel]

Has anyone had any problems with of the placement of these outlets? Interfere with the function of your Westy. Having to unplug a cord so you can open a cabinet door? Or kicking outlets plugs mounted on front face of the rear bench? Or if you have done the mod of your rear table can go straight up and you mount your USB's on the reefer vent?

Making sure things are idiot( or drunk) proof so nothing gets broken.
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[joetiger]

Voltmeter on the left, Blue Seas double USB on the right, centrally-located so my kids can charge their devices. I have them wired into my house battery under the bench.

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Joe T.

'86 NAHT Vanagon GL Syncro/ supercharged ABA 2.0 "Pigpen"
'04 GTI 1.8T
'04 Golf R32

"get metaphysical with it. if it's simply a means to get to and from places, it will let you down. if it becomes your zen, it can't fail you." -dabaron

"Still, it's good to be afield."--VWagabond

Available Now! Vanagon to Louisiana--A Two-Lane Reckoning Through Past and Present

www.josephtrussell.com

[Merian]

for the installs in the side of the stove, what are you guys using for a ground?
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....

[ThankYouJerry]

Here's an older very similar thread with lots of creative ideas:

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3...p;start=20

I really like McVanagon's USB installation from that thread:

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1990 Multivan - "Ohana"
1.8T, Auto w/3.27 R&P + Peloquin TBD

[Stephenmarklay]

[figborg]

Nice! Post a pic when you install it. They also have it brown but they only had one in stock last I ckecked.
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-- PF
Providence, RI
1986.5 Westy camper (G year code, grey interior), 2WD, manual transmission, Subaru conversion by Vanaru. Spoiled rotten.
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=662374

[Stephenmarklay]

[WestleyTheWesty]

[Stephenmarklay]

[figborg]

[Stephenmarklay]

[HoustonPhotog]

Blue sea recently released some new fast charge USB adapters. Instead if the old 2.4a plug which makes each port 1.2a the new one is a 4.8a plug that gives 2.4a per port. Plus! They ditched the annoying LED light.

Blue Sea 4.8a Charger
http://amzn.to/2bjSBbP

I'll be ditching all of my old Blue Sea USB sockets for these new ones...

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Abel Longoria
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