12V outlets swapped for 12V with USB - Escape Trailer Owners Community
Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×

Go Back   Escape Trailer Owners Community > Escape Tech > Modifications and Alterations
Click Here to Login
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 12-23-2018, 07:03 PM   #1
Senior Member
 
rubicon327's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Burlington Twp., New Jersey
Trailer: 2010 Escape 19
Posts: 7,123
12V outlets swapped for 12V with USB

For a little bit more convenience for phone charging etc. I swapped out the simple 12V outlets for outlets with dual USB ports. These are the same ones that Escape uses when you order the upgraded outlets. The secondary advantage is that there is a full enclosure on the back so all electrical is contained. The basic ones that Escape installs have the terminals exposed. Since these typically land in cabinets there is a chance that the terminals can be shorted and blow the fuse in the power center. Did this once with a pot handle. Was able to use the cover plate as a template for cutting the paneling. Used a sharp utility knife. Was able to catch one side of each on a cabinet frame member. The other side I glued a small wood block in for support. Thought it came out nice. These are rated for 120W total. I’ll likely swap out the 120V outlets and TV coax cover from white to black to match.

https://www.amazon.com/MOUNT-12V-VPA...71230922&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/Leviton-80401...HBN57NEWFAPC05
Attached Thumbnails
CC61A775-85AD-4350-A736-4F538F0F6B3F.jpg   1D7CC162-B8B3-430B-9657-9E2EE300CBBF.jpg   87BE749A-25E8-4108-8C17-E0CD29BCBEEC.jpg   D8CA44CD-8090-40AC-867D-F3EF8EEC7B3E.jpg   383E4839-E8E0-4108-9BB4-D073A12B1C7D.jpg  

8DDBCBD9-76A4-4796-AD82-CF6AC5F7B28B.jpg   689823C4-C0DF-4B9B-B0BF-9A5680BD1466.jpg  
__________________
Mods to Rubicon: https://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f...tml#post249508
“One way to get the most out of life is to look upon it as an adventure.”― W.F.
rubicon327 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-24-2018, 06:58 AM   #2
Senior Member
 
cpaharley2008's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Central, Pennsylvania
Trailer: Escape#5 2022 E19
Posts: 26,268
Nice work Dave,
This is something I plan on doing next summer as I ordered 5 extra 12v round outlets. The price for a 12v run ($50) and the round outlet is the same. since I plan on getting access to the 12v power behind the outlet for cabinet LED's this was my thinking. Any area not needing the LED's will be converted to the USB/round outlet. I plan on asking ETI for a scrap piece of paneling to use as a backer plate if needed.
__________________
Jim
Sometime life gets in the way of living.......
cpaharley2008 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-24-2018, 07:21 AM   #3
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Trailer: 2012 Escape-19
Posts: 383
The outlet looks to be available in white from importer or Amazon.
Eddie
WC-12V Black or White

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00SVVQHKW...d-a3f4d08ced8f
elongest is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-24-2018, 07:25 AM   #4
Senior Member
 
rubicon327's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Burlington Twp., New Jersey
Trailer: 2010 Escape 19
Posts: 7,123
Quote:
Originally Posted by cpaharley2008 View Post
Nice work Dave,
This is something I plan on doing next summer as I ordered 5 extra 12v round outlets. The price for a 12v run ($50) and the round outlet is the same. since I plan on getting access to the 12v power behind the outlet for cabinet LED's this was my thinking. Any area not needing the LED's will be converted to the USB/round outlet. I plan on asking ETI for a scrap piece of paneling to use as a backer plate if needed.
Jim: Something to keep in mind is that ETI has a backer plate glued on the backside. This needs to be removed to make the rectangular cutout for the Magnadyne unit. A new backer plate should be stronger than a piece of the ETI paneling. I used some 1/2” wood trim I had lying around. Also if you ask maybe ETI can leave some more wiring slack behind the outlets, especially since you are planning to tap it for cabinet LED’s. I was just barely able to pull the wiring out and make my new connections on the outlet. No fun trying to crimp inside the cabinet or other tight spot.
__________________
Mods to Rubicon: https://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f...tml#post249508
“One way to get the most out of life is to look upon it as an adventure.”― W.F.
rubicon327 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-24-2018, 07:27 AM   #5
Senior Member
 
rubicon327's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Burlington Twp., New Jersey
Trailer: 2010 Escape 19
Posts: 7,123
Quote:
Originally Posted by elongest View Post
The outlet looks to be available in white from importer or Amazon.
Eddie
WC-12V Black or White

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00SVVQHKW...d-a3f4d08ced8f
Yes that is the unit. I bought the black not thinking how close in proximity they were to white 120V outlets. Really like the black and will be going to Home Depot this morning for new outlets.
__________________
Mods to Rubicon: https://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f...tml#post249508
“One way to get the most out of life is to look upon it as an adventure.”― W.F.
rubicon327 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-24-2018, 07:48 AM   #6
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Hope, Indiana
Trailer: Escape 21
Posts: 277
I’ve added a few 12V/USB Interior Outlets ($75.00 each) to my buildsheet. Even one outside, near the standard AC receptacle. Not necessarily to save money due to my high labor cost, or aching old age ailments, but mostly to add charging stations at spots most likely to need them. Plus (sometimes) it’s nice to have someone do it for ya.

We usually have full hookups, so I also plan to put in or swap regular outlets for some AC/USB outlets, as needed. I especially hope to install a power outlet with AC/USB ports in the rear portion of the kitchen countertop. Maybe a pop up style; like some of you guys have done. ETI won’t do that for new builds.

Or even a flat, surface-type AC/USB outlet in the kitchen counter. In a GFCI circuit, of course. It wouldn’t be bad to have some sort of cover; maybe a childproof plug, to keep crud and water out (as much as possible). Caulking the perimeter under the flange might not be a bad idea either.

AC/USB; new name for a group.
__________________
Trent
Rrgramps is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-24-2018, 11:27 AM   #7
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Pismo Beach, California
Trailer: 2015 Escape 5.0TA
Posts: 192
I like having these in the camper but I find that the more LEDs that are on all the time tends to light up the inside at night. When I installed these USB outlets I clipped the wire to the LED so that it did not work. This did not change the functionality of the outlet it just made the LED dark! Just my 2 cents. Bill
CoolCampingKid is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-24-2018, 11:32 AM   #8
Senior Member
 
cpaharley2008's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Central, Pennsylvania
Trailer: Escape#5 2022 E19
Posts: 26,268
and there are those of us who install extra red leds lights for night time trips to the bath
__________________
Jim
Sometime life gets in the way of living.......
cpaharley2008 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-24-2018, 11:54 AM   #9
Senior Member
 
rubicon327's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Burlington Twp., New Jersey
Trailer: 2010 Escape 19
Posts: 7,123
Quote:
Originally Posted by rubicon327 View Post
Yes that is the unit. I bought the black not thinking how close in proximity they were to white 120V outlets. Really like the black and will be going to Home Depot this morning for new outlets.
New Decora outlets in black to match. Since Escape used regular outlets in a traditional outlet box this was an easy swap with some parts from Home Depot. Now I can consider this complete.
Attached Thumbnails
682A045B-DBAB-4FB1-9609-E7B8692330F1.jpg   AFC8C7CC-6F79-4A70-A5DE-EBDEC09E309F.jpg  
__________________
Mods to Rubicon: https://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f...tml#post249508
“One way to get the most out of life is to look upon it as an adventure.”― W.F.
rubicon327 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-24-2018, 12:00 PM   #10
Senior Member
 
rubicon327's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Burlington Twp., New Jersey
Trailer: 2010 Escape 19
Posts: 7,123
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rrgramps View Post
We usually have full hookups, so I also plan to put in or swap regular outlets for some AC/USB outlets, as needed. I especially hope to install a power outlet with AC/USB ports in the rear portion of the kitchen countertop. Maybe a pop up style; like some of you guys have done. ETI won’t do that for new builds.

Or even a flat, surface-type AC/USB outlet in the kitchen counter. In a GFCI circuit, of course. It wouldn’t be bad to have some sort of cover; maybe a childproof plug, to keep crud and water out (as much as possible). Caulking the perimeter under the flange might not be a bad idea either..
You may have seen this. They have them with USB’s too.
http://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f8...cle-10716.html
__________________
Mods to Rubicon: https://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f...tml#post249508
“One way to get the most out of life is to look upon it as an adventure.”― W.F.
rubicon327 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-24-2018, 12:04 PM   #11
Senior Member
 
rubicon327's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Burlington Twp., New Jersey
Trailer: 2010 Escape 19
Posts: 7,123
Quote:
Originally Posted by CoolCampingKid View Post
I like having these in the camper but I find that the more LEDs that are on all the time tends to light up the inside at night. When I installed these USB outlets I clipped the wire to the LED so that it did not work. This did not change the functionality of the outlet it just made the LED dark! Just my 2 cents. Bill
Good point. Since one of these is up over the bed it might just need a small piece of electrical tape over it if it is a bother.
__________________
Mods to Rubicon: https://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f...tml#post249508
“One way to get the most out of life is to look upon it as an adventure.”― W.F.
rubicon327 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-24-2018, 12:06 PM   #12
Senior Member
 
cpaharley2008's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Central, Pennsylvania
Trailer: Escape#5 2022 E19
Posts: 26,268
Quote:
Originally Posted by rubicon327 View Post
Jim: Something to keep in mind is that ETI has a backer plate glued on the backside. This needs to be removed to make the rectangular cutout for the Magnadyne unit. A new backer plate should be stronger than a piece of the ETI paneling. I used some 1/2” wood trim I had lying around. Also if you ask maybe ETI can leave some more wiring slack behind the outlets, especially since you are planning to tap it for cabinet LED’s. I was just barely able to pull the wiring out and make my new connections on the outlet. No fun trying to crimp inside the cabinet or other tight spot.
Another option is to keep the stock mount and just replace the round outlet with one of these...
Attached Thumbnails
51Mk+8Wty-L._SL1098_.jpg  
__________________
Jim
Sometime life gets in the way of living.......
cpaharley2008 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-24-2018, 12:19 PM   #13
Senior Member
 
rubicon327's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Burlington Twp., New Jersey
Trailer: 2010 Escape 19
Posts: 7,123
Quote:
Originally Posted by cpaharley2008 View Post
Another option is to keep the stock mount and just replace the round outlet with one of these...
True, but unless it has a rectangular face plate you will have two screw holes in the paneling left behind.
__________________
Mods to Rubicon: https://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f...tml#post249508
“One way to get the most out of life is to look upon it as an adventure.”― W.F.
rubicon327 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-24-2018, 02:05 PM   #14
Senior Member
 
cpaharley2008's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Central, Pennsylvania
Trailer: Escape#5 2022 E19
Posts: 26,268
For some reason I thought the round piece just unscrewed, leaving just the hole in the existing faceplate, thus allowing the replacement to screw in? I'll have to wait and see what works.
__________________
Jim
Sometime life gets in the way of living.......
cpaharley2008 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-24-2018, 02:17 PM   #15
Senior Member
 
Vermilye's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Oswego, New York
Trailer: 2017 Escape 21C, 2018 Ford F150
Posts: 5,363
Quote:
Originally Posted by cpaharley2008 View Post
For some reason I thought the round piece just unscrewed, leaving just the hole in the existing faceplate, thus allowing the replacement to screw in? I'll have to wait and see what works.
My Escape provided 12V receptacles (without USB) have a 1 1/2" X 2 5/8" chrome faceplate, attached with two screws.
__________________
Jon Vermilye My Travel Blog
Travel and Photo Web Page ... My Collection of RV Blogs 2018 F150 3.5EB, 2017 21
Vermilye is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-24-2018, 02:25 PM   #16
Site Team
 
John in Santa Cruz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Mid Left Coast, California
Trailer: 2014 Escape 21
Posts: 5,122
this was my cigar + USB addition. http://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f8...ion-12779.html

I used a piece of 1/4" hardwood 'hobby plywood' that I found at the hardware store as a 6x9" or something piece, cut a 3x6 ro so piece to use as the backing, then a 1" hole saw to cut through both the luan and backing board for each hole, after drilling pilot holes... this worked quite nicely.
John in Santa Cruz is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-24-2018, 02:42 PM   #17
Senior Member
 
rubicon327's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Burlington Twp., New Jersey
Trailer: 2010 Escape 19
Posts: 7,123
Quote:
Originally Posted by cpaharley2008 View Post
For some reason I thought the round piece just unscrewed, leaving just the hole in the existing faceplate, thus allowing the replacement to screw in? I'll have to wait and see what works.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Vermilye View Post
My Escape provided 12V receptacles (without USB) have a 1 1/2" X 2 5/8" chrome faceplate, attached with two screws.
Take a look at the last picture in post #1 to see what you are dealing with. Those are the original ones I removed. I believe ETI still uses these.
__________________
Mods to Rubicon: https://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f...tml#post249508
“One way to get the most out of life is to look upon it as an adventure.”― W.F.
rubicon327 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-24-2018, 03:26 PM   #18
Senior Member
 
cpaharley2008's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Central, Pennsylvania
Trailer: Escape#5 2022 E19
Posts: 26,268
Yes, I believe in the picture you can unscrew the front off the socket and remove from the faceplate and install another socket in the faceplate. I have taken them apart, it is comprised of 3 pieces, the faceplate, a holding ring and the socket itself.
__________________
Jim
Sometime life gets in the way of living.......
cpaharley2008 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-24-2018, 03:35 PM   #19
Site Team
 
John in Santa Cruz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Mid Left Coast, California
Trailer: 2014 Escape 21
Posts: 5,122
Quote:
Originally Posted by cpaharley2008 View Post
Yes, I believe in the picture you can unscrew the front off the socket and remove from the faceplate and install another socket in the faceplate. I have taken them apart, it is comprised of 3 pieces, the faceplate, a holding ring and the socket itself.
the marine style round things require a 1-1/8" hole. you can get faceplates for 1-2-3-4 of these, like my triple, but they aren't NEMA outlet sized.
John in Santa Cruz is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-24-2018, 03:40 PM   #20
Senior Member
 
cpaharley2008's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Central, Pennsylvania
Trailer: Escape#5 2022 E19
Posts: 26,268
Here, I found one in my garage..actually there are 4 pieces, the faceplate, the socket, a screw on shroud, and the retaining ring. The socket is the positive and the shroud is the negative
Attached Thumbnails
IMG_0279.jpg   IMG_0280.jpg   IMG_0281.jpg  
__________________
Jim
Sometime life gets in the way of living.......
cpaharley2008 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off




» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Escape Trailer Industries or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:27 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Copyright 2023 Social Knowledge, LLC All Rights Reserved.