Inverters and etc...

[Lynda]

Can someone make me smarter? I have a 2019 19E that I had delivered brand new to me in June 2019. Since I live in a townhouse neighborhood with a strict POA, I keep my trailer in storage at a covered secure facility about 15 minutes from home.The trailer is plugged in to electricity whenever it's parked in storage.

I've taken it out several times for local short camping trips -- I live close to the Smoky Mountains, so I'm dragging it up the mountain to dry camp in the national park..

Sadly, I was only able to take it out once this year, but during that trip, I was unable to charge my cell phone using the USB outlet over the bed..

I realized that in my past trips I've been blissfully ignorant of how all the technology inside the trailer actually works. I also remembered that in my old motorhome, we had an inverter that made all the AC outlets work on battery. We also had a converter, but I never fully understood all that... I'm pretty smart about a lot of things, but electricity ain't one of them...

Am I correct in concluding the inop USB outlet may have something to do with the inverter? I should mention that in all my previous trips, I had no problem charging my cell phone inside the trailer. My build sheet says I have a 1500W inverter with a transfer switch and all outlets. I also have a 170W Solar Panel with Charge Controller. Also the USB outlet works fine when I'm in storage and plugged in to shore power.

What are your thoughts? Can anyone give me "Escape electricity for dummies"? When I read the manuals or watch youtubes, I get overwhelmed with information and my eyes roll back in my head. I need something simple and to the point...

TIA

 

[SRS]

USB ports are 12 volts. They run off the batteries and should work regardless of whether your on shore power or running your inverter. Is the battery disconnect switch on or off? Have you tried other USB ports in the trailer. Do the interior lights work? That's just a few of the things to check. It could be as simple as a bad USB port.

 

[Steve Clark]

Yes, Lynda, I would perform the tests and answer the questions SRS suggests. A simple explanation of Converter/Inverter comparison is shore power coming into your trailer is A.C., 110/120V, but your trailer is D.C., 12V (Battery). The Converter changes the incoming power to D.C. so it can charge your 12V batteries and run your 12V system. The Inverter changes the battery power back to 110/120V, so it can operate your A.C. outlets when you are OFF shore power. As SRS said, your USB ports are part of the D.C. 12V system. You only turn on your Inverter if you are OFF shore power and want to operate an A.C. outlet. Good Luck!

 

[Ron in BC]

Even simpler. For converter think " battery charger".

Yes, more details about what else is working etc. would be helpful.

Ron

 

[J.J. Mercer]

Greetings all;
Not sure how escape wired the USB ports in the past however I can confirm that in the 2024 E23 that I have you will need the inverter on to power the USB ports that are part of the pop up power outlets. The AC to DC conversion for the USB ports actually happens internally in that pop up power bar. I have the Zap Pack ( Victron gear) so can’t comment on how things may be configured in trailers that do not have that equipment installed.

 

[John in Santa Cruz]

for my USB C stuff (almost everything I have now), I use one of these in the 'cigar outlet', Amazon.com
that one will fast charge 2 modern phones/tablets at 20 watts each.

they make similar plugs with the old style USB A port that you can use with various cables for USB Micro, USB Mini that was still common a few years ago.

using an inverter to generate 120V to feed an outlet to generate the 5V typical USB charging power, ugh, thats really inefficient.

 

[SRS]

Greetings all;
Not sure how escape wired the USB ports in the past however I can confirm that in the 2024 E23 that I have you will need the inverter on to power the USB ports that are part of the pop up power outlets. The AC to DC conversion for the USB ports actually happens internally in that pop up power bar. I have the Zap Pack ( Victron gear) so can’t comment on how things may be configured in trailers that do not have that equipment installed.

It makes sense that the pop-up outlets would need 120V since their probably integrated with the 120V outlets. So, you don't have of the wall mount ports (see Below). That would be a shame.

 

[J.J. Mercer]

SRS; I did have several 12V drops integrated into my build should I ever have any need for 12V battery direct. Although it’s a little counterintuitive if you work the math through the difference in wattage between running USB through the inverter or directly from the battery is not significant. My practical experience confirms this fact. When dry camping we seldom go below 75% so we definitely have an excess capacity.

 

[Ron in BC]

using an inverter to generate 120V to feed an outlet to generate the 5V typical USB charging power, ugh, thats really inefficient.

I shake my head at that kind of stuff.

The OP definitely should install a couple of independent 12V powered outlets. Inverter on to make 120V from 12V to get 5V.

Ron

 

[alanmalk]

Something like this. Note the cover to keep blue light out of your eyes at night.
3 USB outlets, one 12V component.

 

[GinoandLinda]

I shake my head at that kind of stuff.

The OP definitely should install a couple of independent 12V powered outlets. Inverter on to make 120V from 12V to get 5V.

Ron

Agreed, however remember you are looking at it from the lens of a well versed electrical nerd, and I say that with the kindest of intents. By having the USB in the 120v outlet, the look and feel is consistent with what most buyers experience in their home. Our last home has USBs in a number of the outlets located near counter tops. Regardless, it's always good to have few 12V powered USBs around.

 

[Jim Bennett]

USB ports are 12 volts. They run off the batteries and should work regardless of whether your on shore power or running your inverter. Is the battery disconnect switch on or off? Have you tried other USB ports in the trailer. Do the interior lights work? That's just a few of the things to check. It could be as simple as a bad USB port.

USB ports are 5V.

 

[SRS]

USB ports are 5V.

You are correct, generally speaking their output is 5V. However, input is 12V. Also in my trailer and many other Escapes they are connected to the 12V system which was my point. The exception being an E23 or other trailers with the pop-up plugs or 120V outlets modified with combination 120V outlets with incorporated USB ports.

USB 3.2 and PD output can be as high as 20V. Today, not all USB are the same.

Food for thought