12V DC outlets?

[Brian Van Snell]

We have one 12 volt outlet installed below the seat on the rear driver side next to a 110 volt outlet. There are two other 110 volt outlets inside the trailer and one 110 volt GFCI outlet outside.

Finished trailer Feb 16 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Usually a battery monitor uses the 12 volt plug. It is a Equus 3721 Battery and Charging System Monitor.

Brian

[Matt in SV]

Originally Posted by mcbrew

I have none, so far.... since my Scamp doesn't really have a 12v system. But I plan on adding two of them. Most likely in the kitchen.

As an aside, is anyone else tired of the "cigarette lighter" socket? I wish car companies and cell phone companies would get together and come up with a new standard. The sockets take up too much space for what they do, and this also makes the plugs bulkier than they need to be. The format is just plain clunky. Most cell phone/iPod/etc chargers these days are actually 5 volts, as they are designed to be charged from a USB port. Imagine how much easier it would be to incorporate a few USB ports to the dash/console of your car than a few cigarette lighter outlets. I carry four or five chargers in my glove box, and I know that it would take up a lot less room if they were USB... especially if one cable would work for all of them.

In Europe, they have already mandated that all cell phones must be compatible with USB chargers.

I think you'd have to get the cell phone manufacturers to agree on a standard first! We had mini DIN, and that's changing to micro DIN, (unless it's Apple), and none of those is rated to carry more than a couple amps. Also, they easily unplug, so unsuitable for our uses.

There is a smaller, latching 12v airline connector in use, and adaptors are available, maybe you've seen them under your airplane seat armrest?

12V Cabin Power Connector - Sporty's Pilot Shop

But I believe the future is in 24 or 48v power for lower transmission loss and compatibility with solar systems.

Regards,

Matt

[Ron F]

Originally Posted by mcbrew

As an aside, is anyone else tired of the "cigarette lighter" socket?

Yup. Not only are they "clunky" but vibration tends to make the plug creep out of the socket.

Originally Posted by mcbrew

Most cell phone/iPod/etc chargers these days are actually 5 volts, as they are designed to be charged from a USB port. Imagine how much easier it would be to incorporate a few USB ports to the dash/console of your car than a few cigarette lighter outlets.

My new Sienna came with a USB port right beside the clunky cigarette lighter socket.

Ron

[mcbrew]

Matt, cell phone companies have already agreed... but only in Europe. Not here! They still like for everyone to spend another $30 on a unique charging cord. I have to admit, though... most of my mobile appliances will charge from a USB slot: iPhone, iPad (as long as it is 2 amps), iPod, Garmin GPS, Garmin handheld GPS, and Motorola bluetooth speakerphone. My car does not have a USB port, but the 2011 models do. What I like is the cigarette lighter plug that just has two USB ports on the back of it. Have to be a little choosy, though... as most of them only put out 1 amp and will not quick charge the iPad. Oddly, the iPod port on my car will charge the iPod, but not the iPhone or iPad. Apple (in their infinite wisdom) changed the pin for charging.

[Dennis in Texas]

Originally Posted by Ron F

Peter,
I always steal as many ideas from your work as I can. So, before I steal another one, are these on a separate, fused circuit? If so, what size wire did you run?
Ron

My thoughts (when I do this) is to go with a seperate fused (10amp) line
useing 12 gauge automotive wire. Remember some of these runs are going to be very long and we need to be concerned about voltage drop.

my 2 cents

[Donna D.]

I want one on the exterior, door side rear. Want to plug patio lights in! One more thing to add to the "someday modifications" list. Sigh.

[Curtis F.]

My Trillium didn't come with any 12 volt outlets. I added 2 power outlets w/ covers: one in the front left counter extension, and one facing to the rear in the cabinet over the sink. Then I added 2 each 30 amp power pole outlets next to them. All of my Ham gear connects using power poles. I also have a 75 amp power pole connector on my battery box so I can tap 12 volt power outside if i want it. Course I have a 30 amp and a 75 amp power pole connector in the bed of my truck just inside the tailgate.

It is safe to say that I have options when it comes to power sources.

YMMV

[Darnelle]

I added a marine-grade DC outlet to the access panel area behind the refrigerator. In hot weather I plug in a small soft-bladed fan to help exhaust hot air away from the frig while keeping the fan out of the weather and the vented door closed. (Minimizes chance of theft and I can leave campsite without worry of rain, however the outlet also has a flat-blade fuse in the line.) Can easily access the outlet for other uses. It takes careful placement to keep the fan blades from striking something so would like to make a flat fan out of a couple of computer fans. Could someone provide instructions? Thanks!

[Tim D.]

We also have a Bigfoot 17, powered by a pretty substantial solar array as we full-time. We have two 12v receptacles on the forward bulkhead, one on either side of the dinette table. We have one on the galley cabinet, next to the stock 120v receptacle. Another is mounted on the closet wall, facing the gaucho [a 120v receptacle there too]. The last is outside in the refrigerator compartment. We use them all! They minimize the number of cords crossing the aisle. We have O2Cool fans [Walmart] that can run on 12v, 120v, and batteries [never] that we plug into these outlets. We also have 12v adapters for our cell phone, laptops, and for our AA/AAA battery and camera battery chargers.

[Jon Vermilye]

I'm having 3 built into my Escape 17B. One at each table/bed for powering my laptop, a iPhone dock/radio, charging phones, etc & one overhead to power an amplifier for a cell phone/WiFi Ranger router. Since I generally post a daily log of my travels, a good data connection is something I want to have available...

I carry a couple of 3-fers (12V male plug feeding 3 receptacles) if I need more outlets.