Installing outlets with USB ports

[Kimber6]

Greetings Everyone,

I have a '12 3750FL that I would like to swap out the existing outlets for ones with USB ports to charge my electronics. I asked at the local Camping World service desk and the technician told me he didn't know. Yikes. I stopped by the Home Depot and their USB outlets are rated for 20A - 125V. Will this new outlet cause me any problems in my unit?

Thank you for your help, as I don't have anyone to help me and I'm learning as I go.

Kim

[BB_TX]

No problem going with outlets rated higher than the old ones. Just never go with lower rated ones.

[Dam Worker]

I don't think going with higher rated outlets (duplex recepticals) is a great idea as in my opinion you should run the same as what the wire is rated for. Usually 20a outlets have a unique plug in so appliances with lots of draw can only be plugged into the rated recepticals. You certainly won't hurt the duplex recepticals but the wiring could get hot before the 15a breaker trips. Just my humble opinion and everoyone has one.

Tom Marty

[PNW Fireguy]

You cannot by code and should not put a 20A receptacle on a 15A branch circuit. If the existing outlet in your 5er is on a 15A branch circuit the wiring is 14ga and limited to a 15A protective device. There is more technical mumbo jumbo from the NEC regarding this but that is the crux.

[GAinaMontana]

I'm confused. A USB is 12 volt and usually rated less than an amp while a duplex receptacle is 120 volt and rated at 15 or 20 amps. Are you wanting to install converters in the receptacle recess?

[rohrmann]

A USB is a 5 volt DC system. Even if you install a 20 amp outlet where it had been a 15 amp outlet, as long as the breaker feeding that outlet was not changed from the 15 amp breaker, the 14 gauge wiring will still be protected as it was designed. DO NOT increase the breaker size, as that will cause a serious problem.

[uhftx]

Look here a few listings below.

https://www.google.com/search?q=15+a...firefox-b-1-ab



Home improvement places have 15amp outlets with USB. I thought it would be less likely 20Amp version would have USB.
HD LINK
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Leviton-...-0BW/205092277

[mhs4771]

Something to keep in mind with these USB outlets, what is there current output? We have one in our counter that is now useless to us as it doesn't supply enough current to charge our newer phones and tablets in a reasonable amount of time. If we want to leave them plugged in for several days, yes, but not just overnite.

[BiggarView]

Pretty sure the outlets with USB ports on them are a direct swap out. You should be able to find a 15Amp outlet with USB ports. Check Amazon. The USB ports on the outlets are prewired to put out the correct voltage or it wouldn't be there. It's essentially a 'plug-in USB charger' wired in parallel to the regular outlet and mounted behind the faceplate with plug in for the USB cord visible. It's not rocket science. Just remember to kill the power on that circuit before doing the swap out.

[BuilderBob]

You can get 15A if you go on line to Amazon has them.

[BiggarView]

Originally Posted by PNW Fireguy

You cannot by code and should not put a 20A receptacle on a 15A branch circuit. If the existing outlet in your 5er is on a 15A branch circuit the wiring is 14ga and limited to a 15A protective device. There is more technical mumbo jumbo from the NEC regarding this but that is the crux.

There's "code" for RVs???? LOL

[jimcol]

Originally Posted by rohrmann

A USB is a 5 volt DC system. Even if you install a 20 amp outlet where it had been a 15 amp outlet, as long as the breaker feeding that outlet was not changed from the 15 amp breaker, the 14 gauge wiring will still be protected as it was designed. DO NOT increase the breaker size, as that will cause a serious problem.

rohrman is telling you correct. You are not going to get into any trouble with a 20amp receptacle as long as the breaker size is not increased. I think the bigger issue you may have is getting the replacement receptacle to fit into the shallow opening. I don't have my unit here to verify but seems when I replaced receptacles in other RV's the receptacle was built with it's own box and it was shallow.

[PNW Fireguy]

Originally Posted by BiggarView

There's "code" for RVs???? LOL

Yes there is...it is article 551
However other articles apply like photo voltaic, over current protection and wire ampacities to name a few.

[BiggarView]

Originally Posted by PNW Fireguy

Yes there is...it is article 551
However other articles apply like photo voltaic, over current protection and wire ampacities to name a few.

And here, all this time, I thought they just slapped them together...

[BB_TX]

Originally Posted by jimcol

rohrman is telling you correct. You are not going to get into any trouble with a 20amp receptacle as long as the breaker size is not increased. I think the bigger issue you may have is getting the replacement receptacle to fit into the shallow opening. I don't have my unit here to verify but seems when I replaced receptacles in other RV's the receptacle was built with it's own box and it was shallow.

rohrman and jimcol are right on. There is nothing to prevent someone from plugging two 10 amp devices into a single 15 amp outlet except the 15 amp breaker. And it will trip to prevent over current in the wiring. And the same applies if you sub a 20 amp outlet for the 15 amp outlet. The breaker will still trip at the same lower current level.

And as jimcol noted, check the existing outlet. It likely will not have a conventional conduit box inside the wall. May require a special mount outlet.

[kdeiss]

Rv outlets are self contained meaning no box like a residential outlet. Rv 15 AMP outlets with USB are available on line . This is the route you what go! I am sure their are install videos on line as well.

[N24005]

Why go that route at all??

Buy a 12V USB outlet (like this https://www.amazon.com/Ginsco-Charge...12v+usb+outlet )

Then just find a convient spot near a 12V light fixture and mount it there. Just attached the +/- wires to the +/- wires of the light.

(Warning - be sure you know the difference between 12v and 120v light fixtures)

[dlmickelson]

I've installed 5 Leviton Electrical outlets with dual Electrical and USB outlets in my 3791RD. I use these to charge my iPhones and iPads. I had to take the old twist lock screws and tabs from the original outlets and install them on the new ones to secure to the wall openings. I've not had any issues with them to date. If you're not familiar with wiring up electrical box's, you may want to watch an intall video as others have stated.

[Kfr101960]

Camping world item # 78948!

[Bnrc73]

I simply use a USB adapter that plugs into the outlet. It has four ports on it. I only use two at a time. 2 years and no problems.