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Old 10-20-2019, 12:55 PM   #1
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Build Sheet - a few more decisions

We are close to finalizing our build sheet on a 21. A couple things we'd like to bounce of y'all.
1. 12Volt drops. We may want to add a couple for future possible additions. But what do these look like? Is it a box, or some coiled up wires?
2. Zamp port. We are getting solar panel, but adding a zamp port for future portable. We have some choices about how it gets installed by ETI. We can have it wired into the roof mount charge controller, and we have to use a portable with either removable or bypassable regulator. Or we have them prewire, not connected to anything, and we wire it after market, and get a portable that has a regulator on it.
We are thinking first option, wiring to the charge controller (is that another name for regulator?). Is there any reason we wouldn't want this option?
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Old 10-20-2019, 01:52 PM   #2
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The 12 volt drops are well worth the money. They are coiled wires (about 18-24 inches of spare wire) with bullet connectors. I highly recommend them.
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Old 10-20-2019, 02:59 PM   #3
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I'd have the zamp port wired to the existing controller. You can buy panels without controllers, in which case there would be nothing to bypass. No big deal though, bypassing is easy.
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Old 10-20-2019, 04:03 PM   #4
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In some places, like the storage under the seats where there is outside access you can ask for the extra round 12v outlet which costs the same as the 12v drop. That way you have 12v access in the dinette area as well as access to the wiring from behind in the storage area for lights or what ever. I did this under both dinette seats as well as the bed area.
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Old 10-20-2019, 07:13 PM   #5
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12Volt drops--I asked for them in the upper cabinets. They are coiled up and out of way. They wired my Zamp to charge controller, port installed in rear, lower right corner (close to battery).
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Old 10-21-2019, 09:11 AM   #6
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Just a note;
the USB ports on the A/C receptacles only work when you are plugged in and powered. They don't run off the battery.
So plan on getting a 12V socket or drop where you can put a USB port so that you can plug in your phone, Maybe under the dinette or somewhere closer to the bed.
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Old 10-21-2019, 09:23 AM   #7
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Just a note;
the USB ports on the A/C receptacles only work when you are plugged in and powered. They don't run off the battery.
So plan on getting a 12V socket or drop where you can put a USB port so that you can plug in your phone, Maybe under the dinette or somewhere closer to the bed.
The solar controller also has a USB port for charging that is always on.
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Old 10-21-2019, 09:33 AM   #8
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Just a note;.
plan on getting a 12V socket or drop where you can put a USB port so that you can plug in your phone, Maybe under the dinette or somewhere closer to the bed.
We had planned on adding a 12V/USB receptacle under the dinette. Hoping to make up a little charging station at end of table (standard dinette). Does the USB that is combo with the 12V, not work unless plugged in? We are planning a phone call with our salesperson at ETI to go over 12V options, but good to have some idea of how things work beforehand.
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Old 10-21-2019, 09:54 AM   #9
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Originally Posted by GaryandEllen View Post
We had planned on adding a 12V/USB receptacle under the dinette. Hoping to make up a little charging station at end of table (standard dinette). Does the USB that is combo with the 12V, not work unless plugged in? We are planning a phone call with our salesperson at ETI to go over 12V options, but good to have some idea of how things work beforehand.
The USB/12 volt combo outlets are always on. The solar controller, mounted under the dinette, includes a USB charging outlet as well.
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Old 10-21-2019, 10:43 AM   #10
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The USB/12 volt combo outlets are always on. The solar controller, mounted under the dinette, includes a USB charging outlet as well.
Thanks, maybe we will use that one to rig up our little charging station. I didn't see mention in the paperwork anywhere of the USB in the controller. I hope they still have it. I've learned a lot in the forum. I do know things can change, but it helps when asking questions of ETI. Thanks!
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Old 10-21-2019, 10:44 AM   #11
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Depending on price, if I recall the 12v/usb is $75 whereas the plain 12v is $50 as is the 12v drop. You may already have 12v USB adapters so your choice. All the 12v items work while disconnected from AC power and operating off battery.. The 120v/usb needs to be connected to AC power. I had 6 extra 12v drops/outlets installed during my build. I'm getting too old to crawl around for DIY projects.
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Old 10-21-2019, 11:08 AM   #12
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Originally Posted by cpaharley2008 View Post
Depending on price, if I recall the 12v/usb is $75 whereas the plain 12v is $50 as is the 12v drop. You may already have 12v USB adapters so your choice. All the 12v items work while disconnected from AC power and operating off battery.. The 120v/usb needs to be connected to AC power. I had 6 extra 12v drops/outlets installed during my build. I'm getting too old to crawl around for DIY projects.
All my 120v / USB outlets work while disconnected. The inverter powers them as well as the microwave. Once you have had an inverter, it is hard to do without one.
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Old 10-21-2019, 11:19 AM   #13
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All my 120v / USB outlets work while disconnected. The inverter powers them as well as the microwave. Once you have had an inverter, it is hard to do without one.
Thank you for the information . We have the whole trailer inverter but never had cause to use it . One more thing to tuck in the back of my mind for possible future reference .
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Old 10-21-2019, 11:29 AM   #14
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All my 120v / USB outlets work while disconnected. The inverter powers them as well as the microwave. Once you have had an inverter, it is hard to do without one.
We are getting the inverter but with just one additional outlet, not the option where all outlets work off of it.
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Old 10-21-2019, 11:30 AM   #15
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Seems wasteful to convert 12v to 120v and then back to 12v, just my $.02 worth. With planning you can just about do everything off 12v and propane except for air-conditioning.
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Old 10-21-2019, 11:32 AM   #16
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I'm getting too old to crawl around for DIY projects.
We hear ya on that one. Yeah we are probably going to have several drops, just in case. No telling what we might wanna add down the road. I do know I want some lighting inside the cabinets.
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Old 10-21-2019, 11:41 AM   #17
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Here's the USB outlet that's on the solar controller, to the left of the display.
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Old 10-21-2019, 11:45 AM   #18
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Originally Posted by GaryandEllen View Post
We had planned on adding a 12V/USB receptacle under the dinette. Hoping to make up a little charging station at end of table (standard dinette). Does the USB that is combo with the 12V, not work unless plugged in? We are planning a phone call with our salesperson at ETI to go over 12V options, but good to have some idea of how things work beforehand.
We added 12v/USB on each side of the bed in the upper cabinets (one replacing the 120v for the TV), one outside (used the USB for phones/computer and the 12v plug for our air compressor numerous times) and one underneath the dinette for our 5.0. Not sure if you can have 12v/USB on both sides of the bed in a 21.

We have a USB charging area underneath the dinette and hate the position. Too many wires where our feet/legs go. If I was to do it again, that 12v/usb would have been installed in the upper cabinet next to the refrigerator wall and another on the other side upper cabinet next to the rangehood wall. This next summer I'll be adding that 12v/usb to the upper cabinet next to the refrigerator, where you can neatly hide the phone/computer devices/wires in the cabinet and not have them in the way when using the dinette. Once that 12v/USB is installed I doubt we'll ever use the one under the dinette.

Just a thought.

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Old 10-21-2019, 12:02 PM   #19
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I installed a 120v/2xUSB power pedestal in the dinette table
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IMG_1003.jpg   IMG_1004.jpg  
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Old 10-21-2019, 12:09 PM   #20
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I installed a few 4 port USB chargers for under $10 each.
You can read more and where I got them on post # 244 here in this link. http://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f8...tml#post280825

If you read a few more posts after that, you can see where to buy a USB tester to make sure what you have now is putting out what they say they should.
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