Add 12v receptacle to bed cubby in 2023 400.

DaveC

I want to add a 12v receptacle to run off the battery (not the inverter or converter) in the bed cubby on a 2023 400.  Where should I tap into the battery circuit?  Plan on using it to run a USB plug for cell phone/laptop charging, do not want to run the inverter. Could I run it off the Victron MPPT Controller Load terminals (not currently used)?

Sharon_is_SAM

Devices like lights, water pump, fans are wired for 12V.  You can access the wiring for the above bed light circuit from the light switch inside the cubby.  It would need to be wired between the switch and the distribution box, so upstream of the switch.

bergger

The 400 should have and existing USB outlet in the bedroom cubby.  Are you wanting to add an additional one?  If so you can keep it very simple and just wire it directly to the battery.  Just get one that has an inline fuse in it.  

pthomas745

@DaveC are you looking for a "12V port", like the one below?

Is there one like this in that "cubby" area? The photo is from a 2020 400.

Sharon_is_SAM

Here is the 2023 TaB 400 bed cubbie.  It has a switch for the lights, a switch for the inverter, and one of the 120V outlets  powered by the inverter.  The other inverter outlet has the plug for the TV.  (PrincessCraft reviewed the model on YouTube.)

From RVTravel:

“Inside that cubby is a switch to operate the inverter and another to turn on/off the lights. There’s also a household outlet that is attached to the inverter, so you could run a CPAP machine overnight from battery power.”

bergger

Starting in 2021 the bed cubby of the 400 has a combination 120v/usb outlet.  It is hard to see on it in photos but what looks like just a 120v outlet actually  has two usb outlets in it as well. 

If boondocking the inverter must be turned on to operate the 120v and the usb outlets.  If on shore power it will operate without the inverter needing to be turned on.  There is no longer a 12v cigarette style outlet in the cubby.

So @DaveC look closely at your outlet.  If you only need a USB it should already be built into the 120v outlet.  Here is a link to NuCamps walk through of the 2023 400.  At about 5:40 in they show and go over the features of the bedroom cubby, which includes the combo 120v/usb outlet. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aI2Lxq_ilSk

DaveC

I don't want to have to use the inverter to charge a phone. It can't be efficient to convert 12v to 110 and back to 12 to USB.  Also the inverter activates all outlet and TV lights. I just want a 12v receptacle running off the battery for boondocking, so I am looking for a 12v source to tap into.

Sharon_is_SAM

What about the lights above the bed controlled by the cubbie switch?  Isn’t that 12V only?

bergger

The outlet in the dinette is a dedicated 12v outlet. However if you want one in the cubby that is not connected to the inverter I can think of two easy methods.   Either get a usb extension cord to run from the dinette outlet to the bed or connect a USB outlet directly to the battery via a fused cable and install it in the cubby.

DaveC

I want clean install, so I am leaning to wiring the socket to the load output of the MPPT controller with a fuse.  Anyone used the load output on the Victron controller?

RTWCTS

DaveC said:

I want clean install, so I am leaning to wiring the socket to the load output of the MPPT controller with a fuse.  Anyone used the load output on the Victron controller?

That should work fine @DaveC. The load output will bypass the battery cutoff switch and always be active though. So maybe a switched USB? (as they consume power constantly stepping the voltage down from 12V).

Here is the section from the Victron MPPT manual backing up your thought...

SLJ

DaveC said:

I want clean install, so I am leaning to wiring the socket to the load output of the MPPT controller with a fuse.  Anyone used the load output on the Victron controller?

Why? You're charging a phone. It's only a USB outlet. Don't overthink it. Just grab the 12V power from the closest light. I use Marine type PD outlets. Easy to install and lots of different USB/12V outlet/switch/meter combinations available. I've installed them all through my T@B. Even added a weatherproof USB port outside. I put everything on a master switch bank so nothing is on unless I'm using it.

manyman297

You could replace your overhead reading lights with this that has a usb port and then put your phone in the overhead accent light “shelf”:

https://a.co/d/6IQu19v

elbolillo

DaveC said:

I want to add a 12v receptacle to run off the battery (not the inverter or converter) in the bed cubby on a 2023 400.  Where should I tap into the battery circuit?  Plan on using it to run a USB plug for cell phone/laptop charging, do not want to run the inverter. Could I run it off the Victron MPPT Controller Load terminals (not currently used)?

Just tap into the available 12v wires behind the cubby area. That is what I did to add a 2 port USB-C charging receptacle. And also a UBB-A and 12v plug receptacle.