Why Don't My USB Ports Work, Please?

[HKF]

Hi everyone
In the area where our fixed traverse bed is (above the garage), there are two light switches that control two separate lights in the kitchen area. They both work fine. Right above them is what looks like a possible retro-fittted double USB socket. These sockets don't work. The cable from these switches and sockets goes straight through the wall, into the wardrobe. In the wardrobe there's a box, which I assume is the back of the light switches, and a round thing with a green light on it, which I assume is the back of the sockets. The green light only comes on when the top light switch is on.
Can anyone tell me why my USB sockets don't work, please? Thank you so much

 

[Stealaway]

Have you checked the polarity with a multi meter. It's not always obvious especially with European vans

 

[HKF]

Have you checked the polarity with a multi meter. It's not always obvious especially with European vans

Oh, now hold on a second......have I checked the what with a what? I think I know what a multi meter is but I'm sure I don't have one. Even if I did, I wouldn't know how to use one I guess I need to wait until i come across someone who could check that for me

 

[Derbyshire wanderer]

I suspect the USB wiring has been added to the lighting supply in the box in the wardrobe. Have a look inside and hopefully you will find a blown fuse on the end of the USB cable. If no fuse is fitted then maybe the USB outlet is goosed and needs replacement

 

[HKF]

I suspect the USB wiring has been added to the lighting supply in the box in the wardrobe. Have a look inside and hopefully you will find a blown fuse on the end of the USB cable. If no fuse is fitted then maybe the USB outlet is goosed and needs replacement

Ooo, this is scary monsters time (!) but I'll be brave and have a look tomorrow. I'll let you know what I find. It's too late and dark to be messing with electrics tonight

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[Derbyshire wanderer]

Ooo, this is scary monsters time (!) but I'll be brave and have a look tomorrow. I'll let you know what I find. It's too late and dark to be messing with electrics tonight

Switch off the control panel before removing anything then if it’s loose wiring or worse you won short anything out when moving things.
I see you haven’t a multi meter but it would be worthwhile getting a 12v test light. They would have some instructions to make simple 12v testing easy.

 

[mick qc]

the wires to the usb sockets might have an inline fuse, it`ll be on the positive probably, the red wire usually.
if not then like someone mentioned above its probably faulty. Straight forward to replace and not expensive.
stick a few pics on so we can have a look

 

[AndyPK]

Yes, pics please HKF

 

[dunnah01]

Do the USB sockets work when the lights are on!

 

[HKF]

Do the USB sockets work when the lights are on!

Ah, now that I don't know! I'll try tomorrow before I start dismantling stuff. Thanks!! xx

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[HKF]

dunnah01 I've just tested the USB ports and they do indeed work when the top light switch is on (with the green light on inside the cupboard). The do not work when the bottom light switch is on. Do you think this is deliberate or may there be a fault, please? It seems strange that these are in the bed area and yet the lights need to be on for them to work. Thank you for any help you can give me

 

[AndyPK]

They’ve been wired in series with the top light switch then, I guess. You’d need to trace the wiring from the light itself and alter it according to what you require - USB sockets permanently ‘on’ I assume. I can’t imagine why they were wired to only work with the light on, apart from it being easier to wire in that way……?

 

[pappajohn]

If there are only two wires at the switch, plus the usb wires, it's been wired to the switched side rather than the permanent live side.
Maybe done intentionally to stop the usb socket using power when not in use

 

[HKF]

They’ve been wired in series with the top light switch then, I guess. You’d need to trace the wiring from the light itself and alter it according to what you require - USB sockets permanently ‘on’ I assume. I can’t imagine why they were wired to only work with the light on, apart from it being easier to wire in that way……?

If there are only two wires at the switch, plus the usb wires, it's been wired to the switched side rather than the permanent live side.
Maybe done intentionally to stop the usb socket using power when not in use

Thank you, guys. I'd prefer them to be 'on' all the time, as we rarely use the lights they rely on because they're a bit like chip shop lights!!! However, how easy is it to get them 'on' all the time and how much power would they use when not in use, please? Please bear in mind I know nothing about electrics! Thanks.

 

[AndyPK]

This is where we ask for some photos, HKF !
Can you show us how the light switches and the USB ports are wired…..?
Before removing any covers, etc., best to turn-off the control panel to avoid any ’shorting’/blown fuses…..

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[HKF]

This is where we ask for some photos, HKF !
Can you show us how the light switches and the USB ports are wired…..?
Before removing any covers, etc., best to turn-off the control panel to avoid any ’shorting’/blown fuses…..

Doh, I knew I'd forget something!! Hold on, back soon.......

 

[HKF]

This is where we ask for some photos, HKF !
Can you show us how the light switches and the USB ports are wired…..?
Before removing any covers, etc., best to turn-off the control panel to avoid any ’shorting’/blown fuses…..

OK, here you go. It's difficult getting a great picture as I need the flash but then I'm getting white-out. Can you see what you need to see or do I need to try harder?

 

[AndyPK]

I may be being a bit thick, but I can’t see a connection from the switch (black, at top?) to the white USB ports……
The USB wires go down the brown trunking - is there another connection in there somewhere….?

 

[HKF]

I may be being a bit thick, but I can’t see a connection from the switch (black, at top?) to the white USB ports……
The USB wires go down the brown trunking - is there another connection in there somewhere….?

You've got it the wrong way around. The two white round things at the bottom are the two light switches. The one brown thing is the back of the USB ports. You can see where the little green light is (the little square right above the wires). However, yes, looking at the picture there doesn't seem to be a connection between the two. The brown and red wires from the USBs go up the wall and all the other wires (from the light switches) go down the trunking. I can't see a connection either But the little green light definitely comes on when the top light switch is 'on' and this also allows the USBs to be live.

 

[Bart]

HKF are you able to follow the black ( usb ) lead up the way to see where is goes ?

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[HKF]

HKF are you able to follow the black ( usb ) lead up the way to see where is goes ?

Sure. I'll pop out later and see what I can discover. It's like a greenhouse in there right now and I can't open the windows as the farmers are combining in a force 10 and the dust is ridiculous!!!

 

[AndyPK]

Also HKF, the wires going into the black sheath may not be brown and red - there appears to be a blue-coloured insulator just before the ‘red’ goes into the sheath, or am I misinterpreting the photo (again! )? If so, the ‘red’ may just be a sleeve that was fitted before the crimped joint, and you may see brown and blue at the other end of the black cable……

 

[HKF]

Also HKF, the wires going into the black sheath may not be brown and red - there appears to be a blue-coloured insulator just before the ‘red’ goes into the sheath, or am I misinterpreting the photo (again! )? If so, the ‘red’ may just be a sleeve that was fitted before the crimped joint, and you may see brown and blue at the other end of the black cable……

Well spotted!! I'll have a good look in a bit and get some better pics. I'll take a torch and light up the cupboard, so I don't have to use the flash, too

 

[lunarman]

HKF you said that the picture shows the back of the switches and the sockets. The cable from the sockets obviously is not connected to the switches.

The fact that they come on when the light is switched on would lead me to believe that the sockets are connected to the wiring going to the light fitting itself.

Can you easily see the back of the light fitting to confirm this.

 

[pappajohn]

As above......the usb wires go to the light fitting controlled by the top switch, not to the switch as first thought.
If that's the case the usb will need rewiring completely to a permanent live wire.

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