USB Charger Addition in Bedroom (DIY Mod)

[Wapati Wind]

I needed a phone charger on "my side" in our 303RLS. Decided to use the headboard shelf to place the phone. I drilled a 1.25" hole & fished out the 12v supply wire from the nearby LED light. Connected with a inline splice. It fit nicely hidden into the hollow dead space under the overhead cabinet. -K

[howson]

Clever. The 12v to the lights over the bed is the only power source in the slide in my 315RLTS. (There's power in the wall but in a very awkward place.) I could easily do something similar but put the USB plugs in the side "night stands", running wires down the corners under the headboard. That would be a great place to plug in the phones at night, one on both sides (one for the DW, one for me).

Hmmm...always something else on the project list.

Thanks for the post.

[Lane Hog]

I love those flush mount USB's... in our last coach, I replaced all of the existing lighter outlets with these, and like the OP here, will need to have USB plugs on both sides of the bed. Need to find some that don't have LED lighting... the last set I bought off Amazon have an always-on blue LED whenever they have power. That would get distracting in a bedroom.

[ckreef]

Nice upgrade. I didn't add any USB charger ports but I did swap out the std GD charger ports for Qualcomm 3.0 fast USB charging ports.

[RickLight]

I did a similar thing, and put dimmers on my bedside lights.

FYI if a light has a switch on it, you can get power there.

[howson]

I did a similar thing, and put dimmers on my bedside lights.

FYI if a light has a switch on it, you can get power there.

Very nice work, Rick. Thanks for posting--one more example of what's possible.

[mpking]

Wapati Wind

Did you pull the light down before you did this? Or just drill blindly? (I'm have the identical lights, and looking to do an identical mod).

How much space is up there? IE how deep of a charger could you fit?

[TheMcLellans]

I did a similar thing, and put dimmers on my bedside lights.

FYI if a light has a switch on it, you can get power there.

Rick - I have 303RLS and looking to also install power bedside. How deep is the cavity behind that bedside wall? Is the wall removable to install a back secured outlet or is surface the only way to go? Are there many wires behind the wall? Is the power feed to the lamps enough to drive the USB (especially usbc fast) charger ? Mark

[RickLight]

It's triangular behind the wall. I didn't try to open the area, just fished wires to the new hole for the USB.

You could enlarge the hole behind the light, but only so far.

[Beachcamper]

I will definitely be doing this project when we get back later this year. What kind of connector is recommended for RV use to tap into the lights? Looks like different gauge of wires.

[Jlawles2]

Beachcamper Vivian, I would look at using the WAGO connector like GD uses. https://www.amazon.com/Splicing-Conn...s%2C130&sr=8-3 as they are quick, simple, and easily reused. I picked up a kit of them to use for just such projects. Definitely thinking about adding the USB plugs on both sides of the bed.

[Lonestar]

I will definitely be doing this project when we get back later this year. What kind of connector is recommended for RV use to tap into the lights? Looks like different gauge of wires.

Or a simple solder and heat shrink tubing?

[Beachcamper]

Beachcamper Vivian, I would look at using the WAGO connector like GD uses. https://www.amazon.com/Splicing-Conn...s%2C130&sr=8-3 as they are quick, simple, and easily reused. I picked up a kit of them to use for just such projects. Definitely thinking about adding the USB plugs on both sides of the bed.

Those are pretty neat! Judging from picture of the installation above the 3 port is what I should order?

Lonestar, I was thinking solder but afraid I would burn up the shelf above the bed. I am not very coordinated ……

[ncitro]

Beachcamper I keep a set like this in the camper:

https://www.amazon.com/LEVER-NUTS-Sp...ps%2C79&sr=8-6

[RickLight]

I used automotive crimps. Cheap and permanent if done properly.