By Dave Helgeson
If you are like me, you have many electronics that require a charging cord in your RV. Cell phone, jet packs, satellite messenger, tablets, heated garments—just to name a few. Of course, none of them use the same USB connection, nor are they compatible with one another. There are so many options: Type A, Type C, Mini B, Micro B—Ugh! I can’t remember which cord fits which item!
When I do find the correct cord, I want to keep track of it and have the “working end” of the cord readily available when I want to charge something. What to do?
The solution: Trusty binder clips!
Route the desired end of the charging cord through the handle of a binder clip and then clip it to a convenient location of your choosing.
Example: My wife and I typically charge our phones at the RV dinette. We plug the USB charging brick into the wall outlet below the table with our cell phones sitting on the table with the charging cord attached. The problem is that when you unplug the phone, the charging cable falls between the table and the wall, ending up on the floor under the dinette, where it is very inconvenient to recover.
By routing the end of the cord through the handle of a binder clip and clipping it to the wall end of the table, the cord is always readily available. Slide the extra cord through the clip when you need it, and let it slide back through when you don’t. I have since added a second charging cord of a different configuration for other electronics.
The applications are endless. Like to lie in bed with your tablet? Use a binder clip to attach the charging cord to the bedspread or mattress. Do you keep a rechargeable flashlight on a shelf next to a window? Clip the charging cord to the window valance. I am sure you can think of many more applications that apply to your rig and needs.
Who knew the lowly binder clip could be so useful?
Below is a short video detailing options for routing the charging cord through the binder clip handle, if you are having difficulty envisioning the process.
Need binder clips for your RV and charging cords? Here are plenty of options.
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RVDT2855
Great tip. Had to search for clips that’s jaws will open over 3/4″ to fit my dinette. It looks like the x-large will do the trick.
You might need to add something to the metal spring to make it narrower. I need to use the XL clips also because of the thickness of the table. Without adding something the charging cable slips through. I had wrapped floral wire around the metal spring and it works great.
I just installed two clear plastic, wall-mounted phone holders in the MH that I got from Amazon for <$10/2. Can use the included screw or adhesive strips to mount them. They have a slot on tbe bottom to hold the charging cord firmly in place. I mounted one on the wall on each side of the theater-seat sofa, which is located in a slide. There are two USB-C charge ports on the ceiling of the slide, so we plug an iPhone cord into one (wife’s phone) and an Android cord into the other (my phone). The phones are secure, easily reached, and out of the way when not in use. But the phones slip right out of the holder with the (long) cords still attached when the phone is needed. Love them!!
Thank you for the recycled article and the reminder of this tip, Dave. Have a great day and safe travels.