Hey everyone! I have a nice little solar setup with two panels, a charge controller, and an inverter, but I'm hoping to add more 12-volt options, specifically USB-C. I'd prefer to hook everything up directly without relying on the inverter unless absolutely necessary. Can anyone recommend where I can find or what I should search for to find USB-C plugs that I can wire directly into the charge controller? My searches on Amazon keep bringing up standard 120V chargers, which isn't what I need. Thanks!
3 Answers
You might want to check out 'cigarette lighter' style outlets. They allow for easy access to USB converters you can plug in. To set it up, you can add positive and negative bus bars between the battery and the inverter. Make sure to wire your DC outlets (don’t forget the fuses!) to these bus bars. Some charge controllers also have auxiliary output terminals that could work for what you're looking for.
Just a heads up: when dealing with solar setups, remember that it's 12V going to 5V for USB, although USB4 specifications can handle higher voltage. So make sure whatever you get is well-rated for your needs.
There's a ton of good USB-C PD adapters available for cheap on Amazon! Just search for them, and you're likely to find several options. For example, I found one that might interest you: [Ouffun Charger Socket](https://www.amazon.com/Outlet-Panel-Ouffun-Charger-Socket/dp/B0D59Q495L). It's a solid choice for adding USB-C functionality.