The Eriba Touring model 2024 only has one USB port. We naturally want more USB ports and 12V DC outlets. And much more! We've squeezed multiple functions into the smallest possible housing. It was crucial that it fit on top of the wardrobe while still allowing the pop-up roof to open and close freely.
What are these function? The design requirements were as follows:
- It should fit on top of the wardrobe in roughly the same wood look, using the existing wall socket;
- A short-circuit-proof 12V DC power supply with 15A to connect the inflatable awning's air pump;
- Two USB ports for fast-charging two phones, out of sight on top of the wardrobe;
- A fan control for the pop-up roof with a thermostat and speed control (see also ##coming up);
- Two 230V DC outlets because we'll be "losing" the existing wall socket by connecting this new unit.
1. 12V= power supply.
The air pump to inflate the awning consumes power, you don't want that on your car battery. As soon as the caravan is connected to the mains, 12V= is available up to 15A. The output consists of a 'cigarette lighter socket' for the air pump, as well as two standard 12V= male plugs and two chassis parts for 6.3 mm jack plugs. The 12V= from the adapter also goes down for the lights in the wardrobe and to obtain 12V= behind the Truma heater.
2. USB connectors.
3. Extra 230V sockets.
We opted for models with hinged flaps and a low installation height. In the photo on the left, they are at the back. This photo also shows: the recess on the right for the existing wall socket where the (grounded) plug goes. Plus a 230V/10A automatic fuse on the top right. And a ferrite suppressor to the left of the USB ports.
4. Ventilation control.
Ventilation for the lifting roof consists of a speed control (left) and an adjustable thermostat (right). The thermostat is a W3230, and the switch-on and switch-off temperatures are separately adjustable. The speed control is lossless PWM and was chosen primarily for its compact size: there was no space.
What does it look like in practice? Mounting it on top of the wardrobe has the advantage that charging phones, flashlights, and so on are conveniently hidden behind the raised edge of the wardrobe door. The 12V cigarette lighter socket is on the right. When not needed, we can plug in an extra USB charger. Two wall sockets are located on the top left.
Minor retrofit: two more 12V= outlets were added using wires running down the back of the cabinet. One for the LED lighting of the new wardrobe (see ##"coming soon"), and one hidden via the cable duct running down to behind the Trume heater.
Comments and questions
@miba2012 @stefan grootaerts @suuskampeert. We received a few questions about the thermostat's temperature sensor. The photo of the thermostat shows the wire with the sensor at the end. We glued the sensor to a small aluminum heatsink (usually used for voltage regulators and TO220 transistors). This heatsink can be seen in the last photo, at the back left, near the two wall sockets and the 12V= PWM outputs for the pop-up roof fan.
@Efrian_34: Why this extra 12V / 15 A power supply? Everywhere in the caravan you can find 12V=, hidden in every cabinet?
Answer: Yes there are plenty internal places with 12V= available, but the inflatable awning needs at least 10A to be blown up. So, if you don't want to turn on your car-engine while inflating, this 15A power supply will do the job. (Internal 12V= is limited bij 10A...)
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