Ep. 293: Adding USB Outlets to Your RV | camping gear recreational vehicle

Рет қаралды 5,971

Күн бұрын

The gadgets we own these days all seem to be charged via USB cables: cameras, drones, headlamps, tablets, and of course phones -- and not only yours, but those of your family members, too! Yet most RV manufacturers only put one, maybe two USB ports in their campers. And if you're really lucky they're not dumb USB ports without any fast charging technology to regulate voltage and wattage. We're here this week to show you a super simple and cost-effective way to put smart charging ports all over your RV, to charge your many mobile devices.
Filmed: December 12, 2022 to January 16, 2023
SPONSOR
Visit rvmattress.com/grandadventure to get 20% off your purchase of a new quality RV Mattress by Brooklyn Bedding with the promo code "grandadventure"!
CHAPTERS
0:00 Intro
1:25 The plan
2:38 SPONSOR: RV Mattress by Brooklyn Bedding
4:43 Installing the new outlets
10:13 Using the new outlets
10:42 Wrap-up
FOR MORE INFORMATION
* ELEGRP outlets in the Grand Adventure Shop on Amazon www.amazon.com/shop/GrandAdve...
GET GRAND ADVENTURE STUFF
We've created some fun and quirky merchandise particularly for RV campers, including t-shirts, coffee mugs and more. Sales help to support Grand Adventure to keep bringing you outdoor adventure videos each and every week. Visit teespring.com/stores/grandadv... to browse our selection.
USE WHAT WE USE
We've opened a Grand Adventure store on Amazon! www.amazon.com/shop/GrandAdve... Unlike other Amazon shops, every single item you see in our store is hand picked from things we use ourselves in our own Grand Adventures, from RV stuff to our dogs and even photography and videography. We've tried it, we've tested it, and we can heartily recommend it. No random stuff or paid product placements.
It costs you no more to shop Amazon with us, but by shopping our store a portion of each sale goes to bringing you more and better Grand Adventure videos! Thank you for clicking through to give us a look!
CREDITS
🎵 We license the music for our videos from Soundstripe soundstripe.com?fpr=grandadventure . Use the coupon code "GRANDADVENTURE" to get 10% off a yearly or monthly Soundstripe subscription.
ABOUT US
Welcome to Grand Adventure, a KZfaq channel that focuses on RV-centric outdoor activities including not only of course camping, but also mountain biking, hiking, kayaking, skiing and more, always filmed in stunning 4K.
We're based in Salt Lake City, Utah during the winter months, and invite you to come along as we travel all around the U.S. My wife Patricia and I, and dog Zoe are avid boondockers, so while you'll occasionally find us in RV parks or even dry campgrounds, we're usually camped in some of the most remote and beautiful spots that you could ever pull a travel trailer into. We've now transitioned from "long-timing" for six months a year, to living and traveling in our RV full-time.
We'll provide beautiful travel videos, as well as some tips and insight on trip planning, and equipping and maintaining your RV to make your next adventure a grand one indeed! So, subscribe to make sure that you catch every episode, and remember...life is nothing but a Grand Adventure!
CONNECT WITH US
Become one of our Grand Adventurers and subscribe to our KZfaq channel!
Our website: GrandAdventure.tv
Like us! / grandadventurerv
Follow us! / grand_adventure_rv
Follow us! / grandadventrv
Follow us! mewe.com/p/grandadventure
Find us! www.rvillage.com/group/2781/g...
#RV #recreationalvehicle #usbcharging #usbcharger #usboutlets #rvlife #rvliving #rvlifestyle #GrandAdventure #rvupgrades

Пікірлер: 106

@GrandAdventure Жыл бұрын

Visit our sponsor rvmattress.com/grandadventure to get 20% off your purchase of a new quality RV Mattress by Brooklyn Bedding with the promo code "grandadventure"!

@berthaduniverse Жыл бұрын

Grand Adventure, I understand this is diy, but you have a few errors here. 1) you should never reuse solid wire that is damaged or exposed - you should have cut that wire back past the old pinch connections. 2) common is chrome - hot is brass, you cross wired the connections. 3) you should be using a screwdriver not a drill. 4) you need a j- box (they make them with wings that should hold it in place), and should (at the very least) wrap your receptacle with electrical tape to protect accidental contact. Finally, with lauan, I would suggest avoiding the tamper resistant versions. All said, I do enjoy your channel, thanks for your hard work...

@RV_with_Noni_and_Beard Жыл бұрын

I was sure this would come up. Thanks for saving me a bunch of typing. Mark, please pay careful attention to the above. These rules are all there because people have died.

@64FalconSprint808 Жыл бұрын

Great way to burn down the camper. I’d be surprised if the gfi isn’t tripping. Mark should take this one down and do it right. Not everyone reads these comments. I don’t lol

@travispruitt4998 Жыл бұрын

The above comment is very true. Yes it’s a DIY project but…. Folks that don’t know will follow your lead which could lead to someone getting hurt or loss of life or property. You need to update and reshoot this video. Having been skilled trades for last 30 years I spotted the mistakes right away.

@dougmeldrum8977 Жыл бұрын

Great video but you need a new screw bit.

@laughingram7287 Жыл бұрын

“Black to brass to save your ass” Ram

@timothyculliver1993 Ай бұрын

After watching this video again you need to check your wire placement, white wire goes to the silver screw and the black wire goes to the brass screw. The neutral wire goes to the larger slot on the receptacle.

@GrandAdventure Ай бұрын

I appreciate the feedback, Tim. Actually, the terminals were marked and also were consistent with the packaging materials. Is it possible that they mismarked them?

@robinsnest4855 Жыл бұрын

coming from a electrican on a outlet copper is always hot. crome is for common wire. you did it backwards.

@timothyculliver1993 Жыл бұрын

Electrical codes generally require that all electrical devices, and the wiring connections to those devices, must be enclosed in an approved electrical box. You may want to check on this.

@luminousveiws Жыл бұрын

At first I was thinking this was all low voltage. RVs have some of their own codes. But then he left exposed terminals!!

@michaelr6219 Ай бұрын

I.E. that's why the receptical installed was encapsulated. Just buy a plug in adapter...

@RedJaguar100Travels Жыл бұрын

We installed a few of these outlets in our last coach as USB wasn't popular when that coach was made. It was easy and straight forward and I highly recommend it for those RV'ers who travel with children as almost every gadget today uses USB to charge. The best part is you don't have those big blocky charging bricks covering the whole outlet. Good video my friend.. Herbie & Mary

@GrandAdventure Жыл бұрын

Thank you! You make great points. It's so much cleaner to simply plug the cable into the outlet.

@jimshepanski7339 Жыл бұрын

Love you Mark BUT. You put the white wire on the hot side and black wire on the neutral side. You need a box, exposed connections. Your wire is knicked up a bit. Also use a screwdriver. I don't wish anyone make these same mistakes and burn down their RV.

@housesOTR Жыл бұрын

I changed out the original USB jacks for high power jacks. I then added more jacks in the kitchen for charging stations and added jacks next to our recliners. You would think the manufacturers would think of this.

@GrandAdventure Жыл бұрын

You'd think, wouldn't you? But they don't. Also, different devices use different charging technologies so we're not adverse to installing our preferred ones. That's what we go through in this video.

@gorrdd Жыл бұрын

Very handy, Marc. I also like the Brooklyn bedding option for bunk beds that just don't do it. Brooklyn Bedding says on their website they will custom make your mattress to exactly fit your requirements... for a price of course. This is the answer for recovering otherwise unusable bunk beds in an RV. And of course the main suite queen or king bed as well. I liked all the features you got in you BB mattress. Thanks for those helpful tips... Gord

@GrandAdventure Жыл бұрын

Thanks Gord! Yes we've been very pleased with our mattress that we've now had for 9 months, and as you've noted they'll make any size.

@BodieWalker Жыл бұрын

Great video! Thanks!

@GrandAdventure Жыл бұрын

Glad you like it, Clint. Thank you for watching!

@thewanderingshores Жыл бұрын

Those are super helpful, great video Marc, thanks for showing the install process as well- Kyle

@GrandAdventure Жыл бұрын

Thank you as always Kyle!

@stevertherver3887 Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the great install video Marc! I need a few added to my rig like that. Thanks again for usfull content!

@GrandAdventure Жыл бұрын

Our pleasure, Steve. Thank you for watching!

@tracymeskel2839 Жыл бұрын

Smart idea Marc. I was wondering if these were any good. Thanks for testing for us.

@GrandAdventure Жыл бұрын

Our pleasure Tracy!

@weswalker1208 Жыл бұрын

Always doing something fantastic love the channel

@GrandAdventure Жыл бұрын

And we love our viewers, Wes. Thank you so much for watching!

@BladeRunner-td8be Жыл бұрын

Loved this video, as usual! I have a class 3 ambulance I converted to a 4-wheel drive RV and will use this excellent trick to get a few more USB charging ports that I can use. Thank you!

@GrandAdventure Жыл бұрын

You are most welcome, thank you for watching!

@Colleen1978 Жыл бұрын

Great idea! Sharing with my husband!

@GrandAdventure Жыл бұрын

Wonderful! Thank you Colleen.

@Thetravelinmillers Жыл бұрын

Thank you for this video, hubby is going to switch out a few of our outlets to this.

@GrandAdventure Жыл бұрын

Happy to hear that it was useful to you.

@laughingram7287 Жыл бұрын

Did you hear me screaming? I had an engineer doing kind of the same thing with the same screwdriver you were using. Only he ended up putting the screwdriver through his hand - in the web between the base of his thumb and his hand. He lived. Please be careful; all eyes are watching you work. Mr. Paul Buehler’s comments are correct. Nice idea. Fortunately we have enough for us already in our trailer. Thanks, Ram 👍🏼👍🏾

@GrandAdventure Жыл бұрын

So that's what I heard??

@WILDEBILL308 Жыл бұрын

Those are handy.

@GrandAdventure Жыл бұрын

They sure are, Bill!

@daviscrt Жыл бұрын

Finally a rv project that is easy, functional and cheap. Thanks Don

@GrandAdventure Жыл бұрын

Our pleasure, Don. Thank you as always.

@bigjohnd1973 Жыл бұрын

Very straightforward install and looks like nice outlets. I may have to pick up a pair myself. Thanks, Mark!

@GrandAdventure Жыл бұрын

Thank you John, and thank you for watching!

@najruqwi7008 Жыл бұрын

So sorry I missed your live 😪. I did watch the replay 👍Great video 👍. THANKS for sharing this with I learned a lot. It seems so easy 👍

@GrandAdventure Жыл бұрын

You're not the only one who missed it. 😉

@timebanditrvtravels3449 Жыл бұрын

smart man

@TheEdelKampers Жыл бұрын

Missed you at the premiere. Fred has been put in a lot of USB outlets but they run off of 12 volt. Mary 💕 Fred

@GrandAdventure Жыл бұрын

Thanks Mary! Because all of these outlets come off our inverter, we can still use all these while boondocking, too. Sorry that I missed you at the premiere, I was at an appointment that ran late. 😢

@TheEdelKampers Жыл бұрын

@@GrandAdventure Hope all is well. Fred decided to buy two of them and put them in our bedroom.

@johnnyallan3640 Жыл бұрын

Nice job 👍

@GrandAdventure Жыл бұрын

Thanks 👍

@scottka7fvv Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the great video. I will be ordering several of these for our trailer. Was disappointed in this day and age that our new Keystone TT only had one USB outlet in the dinette area of the slide. Keep up the great work and safe travels.

@GrandAdventure Жыл бұрын

Same to you and yours, Scott!

@ricktaylor6373 Жыл бұрын

I like diy! That was spot on for the install. I copied the link for those outlets. My class c has but two charging ports, that leaves me with four more outlets I can convert. Thankyou kindly.

@GrandAdventure Жыл бұрын

You're most welcome, Rick!

@CaliforniaTravelVideos Жыл бұрын

Well done Marc - call Lisa pleasure in informative to watch your videos to make it to Quartzsite this year? We have been poking around Ironwood, national Monument, Tucson, and now Yuma - as always, I love the weather and hope to catch you around one of these times.

@GrandAdventure Жыл бұрын

We hope to see you out there again Michael. Safe travels, and see you down the road.

@UniqueAdventurez Жыл бұрын

Simple and effective way to add charging to any AC receptacle.

@danostrom Жыл бұрын

I replaced some of my 12v ceiling lights by with lights with a USB port. The USB port is always on even if the light is off. It also doesn't depend on the 120v system or inverter being on. That's another option to add USB besides the 120v electrical outlet.

@GrandAdventure Жыл бұрын

Interesting, Dan. Thanks for sharing that!

@Yellow.Dog. Жыл бұрын

Hang on, Marc. Any videos dealing with electrics bring out the NEC nit pickers. Nice video just the same.

@GrandAdventure Жыл бұрын

Thank you William.

@GrandAdventure Жыл бұрын

Folks, my apologies - an appointment tonight ran late and I couldn't get back in time to join you at the Premiere. I'm sure that the chat was lively nevertheless.

@64FalconSprint808 Жыл бұрын

Mark you have a few bad mistakes. You need a box. Trailers are “self-contained”. But open terminals are a hard no. Ungrounded wire goes on the gold screw so you have reverse polarity. Not everyone reads comments. I urge you to do a 2.0 video because someone is going to burn a camper down. Cheers

@bertkelly7650 Жыл бұрын

Thanks Mark! I'm too lazy for all that. I bought USB plug ins that plug into the existing outlets. : - )

@GrandAdventure Жыл бұрын

That works too, Bert!

@mccarthy7566 Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the video Marc. Any thought on "beefing up" the mounting screws in the luan?

@GrandAdventure Жыл бұрын

You could obviously use fatter screws, toggle bolts or even drywall anchors. We had no issues with reusing the existing screws, however.

@westsidegeorge9515 Жыл бұрын

more great advice mark thanks ! still looking for the woothoo router, however my visible phone will let me connect two devices

@GrandAdventure Жыл бұрын

Excellent! I'm assuming you have an iOS device, which does allow multiple connections.

@richardlyles2883 Жыл бұрын

The receptacle requires a box

@lipsticklodge7526 Жыл бұрын

I have 2 USB outlets under my bed in my 2019 Helio trailer ...yet when I asked the builder to install them in my loft I was given a song and a dance...they almost were uncooperative but bent to put a normal outlet in..even when I needed 2 of them..ya I'm ranting but the tiny house was new construction!

@GrandAdventure Жыл бұрын

Agreed, that doesn't make much sense. But at least you can change it out after the fact.

@JohnNess-hv8qt Жыл бұрын

marc I would appreciate more info on dog friendly sites, parks and beaches in the videos which are great.

@GrandAdventure Жыл бұрын

You bet! We only go places that are friendly to our Zoe.

@user-xw3rr2lq4q 7 ай бұрын

I have to wonder how many RV fires this has caused with open wiring in the walls?

@SLURPSLURP Жыл бұрын

Great job, Mark!! Love all of your videos ♥️ thank you for your hard work

@GrandAdventure Жыл бұрын

Thank you so very much, Dexter!

@SLURPSLURP Жыл бұрын

@@GrandAdventure sorry about the misspell!! I realize now that it's Marc, not Mark! 🤗

@GrandAdventure Жыл бұрын

@@SLURPSLURP pfffttt! I answer to far worse. 😄

@EricArtschwager Жыл бұрын

Love your channel, but as a retired 45 year master electrician - scary !!

@GrandAdventure Жыл бұрын

Hey, I never said I knew what we were doing. 😉 If you have advice on how to do this right, I am more than receptive.

@EricArtschwager Жыл бұрын

@@GrandAdventure The piece you pried off, as crappy as it is, is technically a box or an enclosure for the receptacle. Never just strip the wire back , always strip the cable back to an un-damaged insulation. Also a screw tightens clockwise, why not bend the wire in a hook or at least put the wire on the bottom so when you tighten the screw it pulls it into the connection, rather than forcing it out. Even though the National code doesn't govern RV wiring, it's never a good idea to have a device in a wall without some type of box or enclosure. That way any loose connection is contained in a listed enclosure to prevent a possible fire. Once you modify a wiring method the RV is no longer listed by UL because you changed what the manufacturer did, and anything that happens would not be covered by your insurance in the event of a fire etc. I will step down from my soapbox now. Safe travels.

@GrandAdventure Жыл бұрын

@@EricArtschwager thank you very much for the explanation. These are good practices for this non-electrician to learn and understand, so it's no soapbox. Whereas you're the expert on electrical systems, though, I'll be the expert on insurance, for I've been in the insurance claims industry for 35 years. And I can tell you that changing out the outlets has no effect on the unit's coverage. There's no clause whatsoever in an insurance policy that governs whether or not the unit is UL-listed, or whether you've modified anything delivered by the manufacturer. Safe travels to you and yours!

@1951Roy Жыл бұрын

Great tips, question why don't RV builders use electric plastics boxes? I learned something. Thanks

@GrandAdventure Жыл бұрын

In RV outlets they are built in. You can see another comments the heat I took for not using a junction box! 😄

@Life.After.Retirement Жыл бұрын

I believe you are required to have a junction box when you replace the RV Outlet with a standard outlet like you showed. The RV Outlet forms it's own box. This seems very wrong to me. Please review the NEC code for outlet wiring, specifically Subpart 111.81-Outlet Boxes and Junction Boxes .

@dontwantnospam Жыл бұрын

great idea, but what if you are boondocking and only using 12v DC? Any suggestions for adding USBs for that situation?

@russellnesbitt4548 Жыл бұрын

You can get 12v USB outlets from Amazon, tons of options there. I am planning on adding a few, just need to tie in by a DC light.

@GrandAdventure Жыл бұрын

Norris, Russell is correct. For us, all of these outlets are powered by our inverter, so we have that for boondocking as well.

@cedarkeyvacationrentals Жыл бұрын

Was looking at the mattress ad in your video, but your special code doesn’t seem to work? Is it still valid? Thanks!

@GrandAdventure Жыл бұрын

It should be, Cindy. Use this link: rvmattress.com/grandadventure

@luminousveiws Жыл бұрын

I'm disappointed you added 120V powered USB ports. Those of us that don't have massive inverters or spend our time in full hookup sites, do better with 12V charging outlets. I'm also not sure exposed 120V contacts is safe or legal. If these were 12V devices it would be fine. And move the GFCI sticker!!

@GrandAdventure Жыл бұрын

We've put other 12 volt USB outlets in, in different locations, but this gave us the ability to spread them out all over the RV where 120 volt outlets currently exist. Our inverter may not be massive, but it's capable of powering all of those outlets.

@SevenBears1 Жыл бұрын

My kitchen outlet is so far back in the corner it's difficult to use. I'm going to install a pop up outlet..

@GrandAdventure Жыл бұрын

That term is a new one to me, J. What do you mean by a pop-up outlet? Curious minds would like to know.

@SevenBears1 Жыл бұрын

@@GrandAdventure it's a power strip that sets vertically into your countertop or desk that depresses to a flush position then pops up when you need it.. silver cap is all you see in closed position. Still must be plugged into an outlet or hard wired..

@GrandAdventure Жыл бұрын

@@SevenBears1 very cool.

@reebarr8832 Жыл бұрын

Have you switched to the new Visible plan? kzfaq.info/get/bejne/g85igJhzqa3YaKs.html

@GrandAdventure Жыл бұрын

We're still on our original Visible plan.

@brotella1 Жыл бұрын

Coming from a licensed electrician, this is highly illegal and I don’t recommend anyone doing this! This is a perfect example of “if you don’t know, don’t do it”.

@GrandAdventure Жыл бұрын

We appreciate your feedback.

@kevincorbett3328 Жыл бұрын

Love your channel but as an industrial electrician of 35 years you need to do some research before posting electrical videos. There are too many code violations in this one that can result in fire or personal injury. Others have mentioned the issue. Especially electrical systems that are constantly exposed to earthquake type vibrations. To protect others and possibly your self remove or correct this video.

@wjohn214 5 ай бұрын

I like your channel but when you show electrical work that is completely wrong it is very disappointing. People are going to think that the way to do it and it really saddens me. I have been a master electrician for 35 years and this video is all wrong. That USB receptacle you installed requires it to be mounted in a device box that has a fire rating that they all do. Countless homes have burned to the ground because of receptacles being installed that way. Yes the receptacle that you removed is a boxless device that is UL listed to be installed that way but the USB receptacle that you installed is not. Please stop publishing bad/wrong information!

@GrandAdventure 5 ай бұрын

We sincerely appreciate your feedback, John. You're not the only commenter who pointed that out, and we defer to your expertise.