Adding a USB socket

[Hpd]

Hi all apologies if this has been covered a million times but I’m wanting to add a USB socket in the console of my rib.

Currently there are cables going from the battery to power a fish finder, with the live having a 3A in line fuse.

Is the best bet to run more cables directly from the battery specifically for the USB socket? Any advice would be great 🙏🏻

[A1an]

If the fish finder is the only electrical item on your boat then take the power for usb direct from battery, make sure to put an inline fuse on the positive wire that feeds the usb socket, preferably as close to the battery as you can.

[Hpd]

Yeah it’s the only electrical item so far. Do you know what gauge wire and fuse would be adequate?

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by Hpd

Yeah it’s the only electrical item so far. Do you know what gauge wire and fuse would be adequate?

1.5mm tinned stranded twin is the “normal” wiring cable for small boats. Good for 20A. Have a look on 12V planet.

[Hpd]

Niceone thanks for the replies both ��������

[Hpd]

I’ve just been looking at the boat again. It would be really handy if the USB got turned off when the master key thing is switched off.

Would this be a case of… rather than wiring it directly to the battery, just run the negative to the battery and the positive (with a fuse) to the switched live cable under the ‘main switch’ I mentioned, which is in the console near to where the USB socket would go.

Hope this makes some sense I’m learning as I go lol

[smallribber]

If you do do this put it in a very protected place. I have added a few that claim to be water proof and marine grade but out in the elements they just crud up and fail..... I have reverted to carrying a small power bank instead to charge stuff, if that is what you want to do

[A1an]

You’re getting to the point where it would make more sense to install a small fuse panel to power your finder and usb. The fuse panel can be fed from the switched side of the master switch.

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by A1an

You’re getting to the point where it would make more sense to install a small fuse panel to power your finder and usb. The fuse panel can be fed from the switched side of the master switch.

Yup[emoji106] and then add one of these.

https://www.scanstrut.com/marine/cha...arge/sc-usb-01

I’ve had one on the SIB for 4 years, no problems.

[spartacus]

Bluesea make them too, but agree the Scanstrut version is the dog’s dangles, akin to an ejector switch on a MIG fighter plane. https://www.bluesea.com/products/104...ce_Recognition