Just installed new USB outlets, extremely handy for a wide variety of charging applications. I also ordered from Scamp the new digital thermostat they are now installing in Scamps. Very easy to install.
Wed, 05/18/2016 - 15:12
#1
USB outlets and New Thermostat
I am going to have to put a USB outlet in ours.
Did you ever get your wheels?
I decided to add USB outlets powered by my 12 volt system, this way I can use them even if we are Boondocking.
As Always,
Happy Scamping !!!
Yea I got a 12v outlet with 4 plug ins and 4 USB charging ports in it. Its tied into the bed side lighting system and hides in the upper cabinet when not in use. Works great when you don't have shore power.
Charles & Martha (1990 Scamp 13)
I am the new owner of a '09 16' Scamp. My wife and I had our first outing this past weekend. The design feature that was most troubling for me was the thermostat control of the furnace. The outdoor temp got down to 32°, so the furnace was cycling on and off. The thermostat seemed to have a very wide on/off range, i.e., it would turn on when it was pretty cold, and not turn off until it was uncomfortably warm. That bothered my sleep. My first thought was to see if the thermostat had a way to adjust (narrow) the on/off range. Do you know anything about that?
However, your post suggests that I might just replace the thermostat. You chose the one used by Scamp. How has it worked out for you? How wide is the on/off range? Thanks for your thoughts.
Ravalli_Scamper
Montana
According to this source, it looks like the range of the newer digital thermostat is 45 - 90 degrees, but if you turn it off it shouldn't cycle on though you may need a warm sleeping bag if the temps go down to freezing.
Get the new digital thermostat from Scamp, works great!;
<p>Doug Allen 2016 Ford F-150 2018 Lance 1575</p>
ManWithaVan, how did you achieve that, adding a USB outlet into the 12V system? How did you run the wiring, etc? Do tell! Maybe start a new thread, and upload some photos? My devices are getting older now, and need charging more often than they used to. If I could charge them off the 12V, I'd practically never need to pay for electric, or run cords to kindly friends' homes. What do you suggest?
Meanwhile, thanks, Flyboy Scamp, for the idea on swapping out the standard plug for one with USB outlets. I have an adapter, but it's way clunky compared to a having an elegantly designed outlet.
How are you liking that new thermostat? I used mine a lot last week: still gets cold before it kicks in, and too hot before it shuts off; but then I think, "I'm camping. This is not my living room. I'm just happy not to be freezing." Still, if it could be better, or if there's any way to calibrate it, I'd be happy to hear about it.
Joan
Adding USB outlets to your 12 Volt system can be as simple as buying a USB adapter that plugs into your existing 12 v plug...
For Example USB 12v Plug:
Or you could add a 12V combination outlet like this:
Or, you could get fancy and install a multi port option that includes a Volt Meter along with the 12 volt plug and USB outlets.
Like this one:
If you choose this option I would suggest you install a switch on the Volt Meter to prevent the LED light from glowing in the dark while you are sleeping.
As far as installing these, you simply determine where you want to mount them and you tap into a pair of 12 volt wires near the location that have power running to them all the time (do not pick a circuit that has a switch in it [ I've done that, so you won't need to repeat that mistake ]).
Additionally, if you choose either of the last two options, you might (strongly) consider running a new circuit direct from the battery, with an inline fuse and heavy gauge wire. Because, sometimes you can plug something into the 12 volt plug that really draws the current and you don't want to blow a fuse on one of your critical circuits.
As Always,
Happy Scamping !!!
I added a USB outlet in the loft of our Scamp 19 using the nearby light's DC source. .
Also had previously added a fused 12V outlet near the 110 plug by the countertop. The power for that comes from a new line run from the 110/12V power distribution panel using one of the unused 12V fuse spots in the panel. Like ManWithAVan we use a 12V USB plug there for recharging devices
I just got back from a nearly 2-week winter trip in my 16'. Since we were travelling about visiting relatives, I usually had AC power available, and we relied primarily on small electric heater. It's much quieter than the Suburban furnace, and would maintain a temp of 60-65 with outside temperatures above 20. Below that (and we were down to -4 one night!), we had to fall back on the furnace. Since the old thermostat basically has a range of On or Off, I had to be my own thermostat, which is not conducive to sound sleep. I will be ordering the new electronic thermo before next use.
I also had the thought during this trip that a 12 VDC charger for my devices would be useful. I had first thought to install a cigarette lighter socket, and use the corresponding charger that lives in my TV. But I can see it would be more practical to have direct USB sockets, so I'll look into that as well.
As always, this forum is a fount of practical information.
Randy in Paonia
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