Can the 12v USB sockets be replaced with cig-style socket?

[baz]

Subject: Can the 12v USB sockets be replaced with cig-style socket?

All the RT boats with the exception of the R29 now come equipped with USB-style 12v sockets. Can these be replaced without having to change wire gauge with cig-style sockets?
Thanks. 🙂

 

[GypsyMoth]

Most cigarette lighter sockets are 15 amp, USB draws a lot less than that; I really don't know what gauge wire the factory uses. I did have the factory add a cigarette lighter socket on my R27, it is installed at the helm next to the trim tab switches, and provides power to a 12v fan pointed at my front window.

 

[Tippetknot]

Yes it can. The dual USB port is sold on Amazon for $22. Sea Dog 426515-1.


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[trailertrawlerkismet]

Barry, the R25OB comes with 2 cigarette style sockets and 1 USB port at the starboard side helm area. I was advised to use 10 gauge wire for a socket I just added, not sure of the wire size for the USB. I’d call into Andrew, Kenny, Tim or Ivan for further clarity.

Jim F

 

[Tippetknot]

Sorry Baz. I misread your question. Thought you were going from cig to usb.

 

[baz]

Barry, the R25OB comes with 2 cigarette style sockets and 1 USB port at the starboard side helm area. I was advised to use 10 gauge wire for a socket I just added, not sure of the wire size for the USB. I’d call into Andrew, Kenny, Tim or Ivan for further clarity.

Jim F

Jim: where are the cig-style sockets positioned on the R25/OB ? I will require a cig-style socket where the USB-style one is on starboard side helm area. It's so much easier to have ALL cig-style sockets because small flush mounted plug-in dual-USB receptacles can be inserted into the cig-style sockets.

 

[CruisingElvinRay]

I don’t understand removing a usb plug to replace it with a usb plug in a socket.


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[baz]

It's pretty simple.... The cig-style gives you a choice: use a cig-lighter male plug or a USB plug. If the built-in is USB you don't have the choice.

 

[bob daily]

Mr.Baz. Not true! You can get a USB to female cigarette connection for about $5.00 on Amazon or at your local hardware store.
Bob

 

[fidalgoisland]

You can use one of these if you don't want to change the socket(s).

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07J2HKR9K?re ... tails&th=1

 

[trailertrawlerkismet]

Barry, the 2 sockets are located on the port side of the boat. One is in the stateroom on the facing of the cabinet next to the door of the locker the TV mounts to. The other is in the well of the dinette table on the bow side. There are also 110 outlets at both of these locations plus one in the bathroom and by the sink in the galley.

Jim F

 

[baz]

You can use one of these if you don't want to change the socket(s).

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07J2HKR9K?re ... tails&th=1

Oh no.... Bob & fidalgoisland... that is simply a horrid and ugly adapter solution IMO. I'm talking about flush mounted dual-USB female male adapters such as this for the cig-style socket.

These are what I use...

Use this instead of having to hardwire 12v fans.
https://www.amazon.com/Ketofa-Cigar...r+on/off+cig+lighter+connector,aps,101&sr=8-2

Use this to provide flush mounted USB access.
https://www.amazon.com/Cable-Matter...31&sprefix=12v+usb+flush+mount,aps,110&sr=8-8

 

[baz]

Barry, the 2 sockets are located on the port side of the boat. One is in the stateroom on the facing of the cabinet next to the door of the locker the TV mounts to. The other is in the well of the dinette table on the bow side. There are also 110 outlets at both of these locations plus one in the bathroom and by the sink in the galley.

Jim F

Thanks much Jim.... that was a missing question I had for you the other day in our telephone call. 🙂

 

[GaylesFaerie]

(Apologies if this was already posted as there may have been a glitch in saving my REPLY to this thread.)

Based on the specs of that Amazon adapter (USB to Cig), you may want to check your wire gauges:

USB Input: 5V 2A, Cigarette Lighter Socket Output: 12V 0.8A

I believe, if the existing wire gauge in the boat is sized for a small work load like a USB (say 10W like the Amazon adapter i.e. 5V x 2A = 10W) and you adapt that to a Cig lighter adapter, you may end up blowing fuses or melting circuit components by using a Cig lighter adaptable device that draws well more than 10W. For instance, this device:

https://www.amazon.com/Vacuum-Cleaner-P ... B07CZ8D74J

draws 100W which at 12V means 8.333 amps going down the circuit.

So I think it depends on a couple of things: what are the electrical specs for the devices you plan to plug into that lighter socket as they will dictate if you need to rewire, and how do you protect the next owner from not accidentally overloading the circuit should you choose not to rewire because your use case(s) are very low amperage?

Others more electrically charged than myself can keep me accurate please. Gary

 

[BB marine]

You can change the 12V receptacle with what ever style you want as long as it matches the amperage requirement of the fuse and wiring. 12 volt receptacles come in all kinds of "Flavors" 5 amp, 7.5 amp,10 amp, 15 amp and 20 amp. If the Ranger Tug 12V USB socket is rated at 10 amps and the fuse installed in the fuse panel for it is 10 amps. You can replace the 12V USB socket with a "cig-style socket" that is rated for 10 amps or higher without changing any "wire gauge" as long as you leave the 10 amp fuse in place. The fuse is installed to protect the installed circuit. If the circuit is rated at 10 amps by the fuse the wiring should be sized correctly by Ranger. A 20 amp receptacle is designed to work in a circuit of 20 amps or less.

When changing the receptacle the only prerequisite is the new receptacle must be equal to or greater capacity to the receptacle being removed and must be capable of handling the amperage of the fuse installed.

If the receptacle installed from the factory is 20amp rated and there is a 20 amp fuse in the fuse panel protecting it and you choose to install a 10 amp receptacle the wiring is sufficient but the receptacle is only designed to handle 10 amps. You can use this but you must mark the panel for the use of a 10 amp fuse to be used in this fuse socket and you will be fine.

If the receptacle installed from the factory is 10 amps and there is a 10 amp fuse in the fuse panel protecting it and you install a 20 amp receptacle. You can use this receptacle with the 10 amp fuse. You can not install a 20 amp fuse in the panel replacing the 10 amp unless you inspect the wire size. A 20 amp circuit should have a 12 ga or larger wire when protected by a 20 amp fuse. If the wire gauge is 12 ga you can replace the 10 amp fuse with a 20 amp fuse when using a 20 amp receptacle.

 

[baz]

My OP was predicated on the 12v receptacles that RT installs in a 2023 model R25/OB. From Jim Favors it appears that RT installs two cig-style receptacles and one USB-style receptacle. The USB-style is positioned at the helm aft of the throttle lever's base and safety line switch. The other two cig-style are in cave and fwd stateroom areas.

I wish to have the helm positioned USB-style be the cig-style receptacle so will check it's fuse value and the wattage the device I wish to use in the cig-style needs to satisfy myself the fuse protection is correct.

I will be using a Caframo fan (Current draw on High-setting is 0.27 amps - 12v) with the cig-style receptacle installed at the helm position. So a 10 amp fuse should be fine.

Jim: Can you determine the fuse values for the three 12v cig-style and USB-style receptacles for me ? Sent you a PM as well.

 

[bob daily]

So to put what Mr. BB posted in Nautical terms so that a simple minded sailors like myself can understand, it's easier to replace a burnt out fuse than rewire a burnt out socket!
Thank you Mr BB, Bob

 

[BB marine]

So to put what Mr. BB posted in Nautical terms so that a simple minded sailors like myself can understand, it's easier to replace a burnt out fuse than rewire a burnt out socket!
Thank you Mr BB, Bob

Good summary Bob. 😀