5v/12v cockpit electrical supply question

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Lafayette Mike

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Oct 21, 2015
73
Catalina 22 Lafayette, IN
I'm a newbie C-22 owner (1986 model, sail #14081) but I've owned a lot of dinghies and RV's before so I am pretty good technically with modifications. We are going to use our "new" C-22 for some leisurely inland lake cruising as well as some limited near-shoreline excursions on the Great Lakes.
It appears that I am going to use some 5v/usb type devices in the cockpit sometimes. I-phones, I-pads, USB speakers, etc..... What seems to be the preferred way to keep these powered?
1. charge them inside the cabin, disconnect and operate in the cockpit till the battery runs out then recharge them.
2. Run a charging cable for each device from inside the cockpit, through the companionway (or some other access hole) to the cockpit.
3. Install some sort of 12v or 5v socket somewhere "outside" in the cockpit itself, weatherproofed in some manner.
I've searched many of the forums and can't find many posts or ideas? What would you do? Is it worth installing something in the cockpit area or will that cause more problems than it's worth?
Thanks
Mike
 
Jacktar

Jacktar

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Sep 14, 2014
1,278
Catalina 22 Pensacola, Florida
Try this, 12 waterproof outlet in cockpit, wired in to charging harness to battery from motor. bonus is also cockpit lite/cig lighter (not needed, no smoker now) about 12-14 bucks from sea dog.
Cockpit lite and 12 v power (1).jpg
Cockpit lite and 12 v power (1).jpg
Cockpit lite and 12 v power (2).jpg
 
justsomeguy

justsomeguy

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Feb 20, 2011
8,051
Island Packet 35 Tucson, AZ/San Carlos, MX
Lafayette Mike said:
1. charge them inside the cabin, disconnect and operate in the cockpit till the battery runs out then recharge them.
Click to expand
This is what I would do.
As far as USB charging needs go- the Scosche REVOLT 2-port USB car charger provides enough juice for my iPad. Thanks, Maine Sail.
 
Bill Roosa

Bill Roosa

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Jun 6, 2006
6,990
currently boatless wishing Harrington Harbor North, MD
I'd install a 12v cig outlet in the cockpit and run/charge things from there. Also consider the host of things that you might want to run from the cockpit. Spot lights come to mind.
 
centerline

centerline

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Mar 20, 2012
3,983
Cal 34-III, MacGregor 25 Salem, Oregon
The 12v cig lighter/power outlet mounted in the cockpit AND one inside the cabin, wired to the battery is the most conveinient way to go about it...
there are many brands of USB adaptors that will plug directly into a 12v cig lighter to suppy the 5v power needed for the device.... and you will still have the standard 12v cig lighter/power port available when needed to plug a spot light or other device that has that common style of plug into....

you DONT need to create a 5volt circuit on your boat for a dedicated USB plugin, as the adaptors do all the voltage reduction work within themselves when plugged into a 12v source.... you CAN purchase a power port option that is ONLY usb capable, but it limits the use of the outlet... the MARINE cig lighter socket with a usb adaptor would be my first choice for the exterior...
for convienience, we have both types installed in the interior of our boat, and they both get used at the same time quite often...
 
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RJD

RJD

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Aug 31, 2013
144
Catalina 22 Chesapeake Bay, Deale, MD
centerline said:
The 12v cig lighter/power outlet mounted in the cockpit AND one inside the cabin, wired to the battery is the most conveinient way to go
Click to expand
This is how mine is set up. The one on the cockpit is USB only since I use it exclusively for my iPhone running Navionics.
 
CloudDiver

CloudDiver

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Sep 8, 2014
2,551
Catalina 22 Swing Keel San Diego
I have a usb charger socket for waterproof bulkhead mounting from BlueSea Systems. I will mount this inside the port side cockpit cubby. Any phones or other devices that need charging will sit inside the cubby when doing so, the cords are usually short anyway. This is also a great place for my music system which is a JBL Charge 3 USB speaker.
I also have another one of these to mount in the cabin on my new DC panel, right next to a standard 12V charge socket. There will pic of all this in my resto thread when I finally get around to installing it all.
USB charger.jpg usb bulkhead.png
 
Justin_NSA

Justin_NSA

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Jul 7, 2004
8,481
Hunter 30T Cheney, KS
Be sure to have a fuse inline with your receptacle. I'm presently re-doing one that a PO wired directly to one of my batteries. I think they are rated for about 15 amps so don't fry your wiring.
 
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Parsons

Parsons

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Jul 12, 2011
1,165
Leopard 40 Jupiter, Florida
I mounted one in my saloon, replacing a light, and just charge stuff there. Batteries now are good for hours, so I have not run out of juice often enough to worry about waterproofing something. The one I bought has rubber covers, but I still worry about water intrusion and corrosive humid air. The particular model I bought on Amazon works well for my application (link), but there are a ton of the equivalent units made in China that would be as good and cheap: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00RJVJJCI/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I strongly suggest wiring it to a SMALL in-line fuse. You only are planning to run chargers and such off of this, and a 1-amp fuse should keep them happy. Remember, fuses protect the boat wiring, not the load. Better to replace a few fuses until you figure out the loads than crisp some wiring on a boat that probably uses gasoline for fuel. :(
 
dziedzicmj

dziedzicmj

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Aug 13, 2012
533
Catalina 270 Ottawa
For many new mobile devices, 1 A power supply may not be enough. Most of the tablets and higher end smartphones use 2 A external power supplies. So, a 2 A fuse is in order. And appropriate wires.
 
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