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28 Mar Update: Don't miss post 11 and 13 for an update / conclusion to this modification.
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Not an original mod by any means-- Wapati Wind first documented the mod here: https://gdrvowners.com/forum/operati...edroom-diy-mod
mpking and I had a lengthy discussion in a separate thread on the topic of the USB options available. That thread is here: https://gdrvowners.com/forum/operati...00bh-usb-ports In post 14 the USMEI Dual QC3.0 USB Charger Socket (part is linked to Amazon) is identified and it is what I chose to try.
I wanted to install the USB ports in the nightstands (pic showing nightstands is stock GD pic from the internet) but after following the wiring under the bed it was going to be a "bridge too far" to get the 12v into the nightstands. The info and pics below are "gee whiz" for the other owners with slide out beds--the 12v wiring (for the lights over the bed) is probably coming from the same location.
So I defaulted back to copying @Wapati Wind's install. He used a surface mount USB...the one I'd chosen made it more of a challenge. <sigh>
First issue: how do I secure the nut on the shaft of the USB socket once it was in the ceiling? I couldn't make the hole too big or it won't sit right, but there was no way to get the nut tight. The solution was to cut a hole in the interior bottom of the cabinet and cover the hole with a desk grommet. But I'm getting ahead of myself...
Once the DW and I figured out how we were going to get the USBs mounted, we figured out the USB socket needed to be 2.5" out from the wall. This ensured the large hole for the desk grommet made by from above was centered right over the USB socket.
In the pictures below...
1: Remove the existing lights to access the wiring. Mark 2.5" out from the wall and make the mark centered between the valence and the headboard. Using the mark, drill a small hole that pierces both the bottom and top board of the cabinet (there's an air gap between the bottom and top where the wires run).
4: Using the 3 1/4" hole saw and using the small hole created by the small bit as the starting point, make the large hole in the upper cabinet. Only pierce the upper cabinet. Again--watch out for wires! Note you can see both the large hole and smaller hole in pic 4.
In the next pic...
5: Crimped and installed the wires on the USB socket with 90 degree connectors and added extra heat shrink. I had to bent the tabs on the socket 90 degrees so the desk grommet would sit flush. <just barely get it to sit flush!> If doing this again I'd solder the wires and protect with heat shrink to save just a smidgen of space. Electrical tape was used to cover the exposed metal tabs due to them being bent at an angle.
6: The desk grommet base was glued into position. The top ring sits flush without assistance (but just barely).
7: Wiring was straight-forward, though it is easy to get confused since GD uses solid white for -12v and the USB uses solid black. On the OEM light the -12v is white and +12v is black. See how this can get confusing? The wiring must be done with care. (Duh, huh?)
8: Final install showing only one side of the bed with the cover over the socket. (There's also a socket over on the other side of the bed, mirroring what you see in this pic). The vantage point is looking up as I'm laying on the bed.
Bottom line: it's doable, but Wapati Wind's method would be much easier to execute. I went with the QC3's for the fast charging and because it was one of the few that didn't have an indicator light. (I didn't want an LED "eye" beaming down on me while trying to sleep.)
If you made it this far reading this post...congrats. I can get wordy.
Any questions, fire away.
Howard
---------------------
Not an original mod by any means-- Wapati Wind first documented the mod here: https://gdrvowners.com/forum/operati...edroom-diy-mod
mpking and I had a lengthy discussion in a separate thread on the topic of the USB options available. That thread is here: https://gdrvowners.com/forum/operati...00bh-usb-ports In post 14 the USMEI Dual QC3.0 USB Charger Socket (part is linked to Amazon) is identified and it is what I chose to try.
I wanted to install the USB ports in the nightstands (pic showing nightstands is stock GD pic from the internet) but after following the wiring under the bed it was going to be a "bridge too far" to get the 12v into the nightstands. The info and pics below are "gee whiz" for the other owners with slide out beds--the 12v wiring (for the lights over the bed) is probably coming from the same location.
So I defaulted back to copying @Wapati Wind's install. He used a surface mount USB...the one I'd chosen made it more of a challenge. <sigh>
First issue: how do I secure the nut on the shaft of the USB socket once it was in the ceiling? I couldn't make the hole too big or it won't sit right, but there was no way to get the nut tight. The solution was to cut a hole in the interior bottom of the cabinet and cover the hole with a desk grommet. But I'm getting ahead of myself...
Once the DW and I figured out how we were going to get the USBs mounted, we figured out the USB socket needed to be 2.5" out from the wall. This ensured the large hole for the desk grommet made by from above was centered right over the USB socket.
In the pictures below...
1: Remove the existing lights to access the wiring. Mark 2.5" out from the wall and make the mark centered between the valence and the headboard. Using the mark, drill a small hole that pierces both the bottom and top board of the cabinet (there's an air gap between the bottom and top where the wires run).
- CAUTION: Make sure the light wires are not directly above where you're drilling! You must do this by feel.
4: Using the 3 1/4" hole saw and using the small hole created by the small bit as the starting point, make the large hole in the upper cabinet. Only pierce the upper cabinet. Again--watch out for wires! Note you can see both the large hole and smaller hole in pic 4.
In the next pic...
5: Crimped and installed the wires on the USB socket with 90 degree connectors and added extra heat shrink. I had to bent the tabs on the socket 90 degrees so the desk grommet would sit flush. <just barely get it to sit flush!> If doing this again I'd solder the wires and protect with heat shrink to save just a smidgen of space. Electrical tape was used to cover the exposed metal tabs due to them being bent at an angle.
6: The desk grommet base was glued into position. The top ring sits flush without assistance (but just barely).
7: Wiring was straight-forward, though it is easy to get confused since GD uses solid white for -12v and the USB uses solid black. On the OEM light the -12v is white and +12v is black. See how this can get confusing? The wiring must be done with care. (Duh, huh?)
8: Final install showing only one side of the bed with the cover over the socket. (There's also a socket over on the other side of the bed, mirroring what you see in this pic). The vantage point is looking up as I'm laying on the bed.
Bottom line: it's doable, but Wapati Wind's method would be much easier to execute. I went with the QC3's for the fast charging and because it was one of the few that didn't have an indicator light. (I didn't want an LED "eye" beaming down on me while trying to sleep.)
If you made it this far reading this post...congrats. I can get wordy.
Any questions, fire away.
Howard
I'll add a short tutorial "how to" to my "To Do" list and put it in the Forum Use channel.
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