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Post by danrhodes on Mar 18, 2016 10:03:54 GMT -8
Our current plan is to have the whole trailer run from 12V, with maybe a 110V outlet when shore power is available. Wiring up all the lighting and fan is well documented, but what types of other things do you use 12V for? Is there anything that you can do with a cigarette socket (other than a USB charger) that's worth the trouble (vacuums? lights?)? We were thinking of mostly skipping the 12V sockets, taking things another step and adding dedicated 12V to USB power outlets that could be used to directly power devices, reading lights, etc.  |
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turbodaddy
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Post by turbodaddy on Mar 18, 2016 12:20:08 GMT -8
Ours is pretty much all 12VDC, all LED lighting,12VDC fans and furnace. I did install in two cigarette outlets one in front at dinette and one in rear at the gaucho bed. We use them occasionally for a radio, and to charge laptops and cell phones. You can buy a USB adapter for the cig. outlet, I wouldn't do without cig outlet, you never know what you might find down the road.
Our experience has been that vacuums and other 12 VDC RV "appliances" are pretty useless. Better to use an inverter with regular AC items.
We do have a 110AC stove hood fan and an electric space heater that we sometimes use if plugged in to shore power. Also have a 110 AC outlet in the trunk for a trickle charger / battery charger.
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Post by Ross on Mar 18, 2016 12:42:23 GMT -8
When I built our teardrop campers, I would install a 12V outlet close to the bed. On cold nights, we would plug in a 12V travel blanket to knock the chill off of the mattress, before climbing into bed.
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goshawks
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Post by goshawks on Mar 18, 2016 14:08:03 GMT -8
We too are 90% 12v, computer fan for stove exhaust, all lights are LED, vent is 12v..we also run our Bose speakers and I-pods into 12v outlets, and our 12v waterpump. We hard wired most everything to a 12v side converter. Of the two 110 plugs we have, we can plug in our cells for charging and run our 110 frig. You now also buy 110v receptacles that also have 12v built into them , prewired.
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Post by danrhodes on Mar 18, 2016 14:18:32 GMT -8
We too are 90% 12v, computer fan for stove exhaust, all lights are LED, vent is 12v..we also run our Bose speakers and I-pods into 12v outlets, and our 12v waterpump. We hard wired most everything to a 12v side converter. Of the two 110 plugs we have, we can plug in our cells for charging and run our 110 frig. You now also buy 110v receptacles that also have 12v built into them , prewired. Google is failing me...what does a 110V/12V receptacle look like? Do they make standard wallplates with 12V only (I guess that's just a blank plate, hole saw and cigarette socket if they don't) |
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nccamper
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Post by nccamper on Mar 18, 2016 14:20:35 GMT -8
I agree there are times when only shore power will do. I really want an AC unit. I added a charging station to the latest Shasta.  |
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Post by danrhodes on Mar 18, 2016 14:27:08 GMT -8
Hmmn...Maybe I can have my cake and eat it too.  Wife wants to use $5 IKEA lamps like this in the USB sockets in the sleeping areas. Not "vintage", but cheap and easy (and removable)  |
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goshawks
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Post by goshawks on Mar 18, 2016 14:31:08 GMT -8
Dan I have a hard time posting pic, but maybe someone can google wall receptacles with usb ports. As far as the lights go only issue is there is no switch to turn off. Then when you want them in the middle of the night you need to find them and then try to plug them in , in the dark.
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Post by danrhodes on Mar 18, 2016 14:48:43 GMT -8
Dan I have a hard time posting pic, but maybe someone can google wall receptacles with usb ports. As far as the lights go only issue is there is no switch to turn off. Then when you want them in the middle of the night you need to find them and then try to plug them in , in the dark.
Ahh, I've seen those. I thought you meant with 12V receptacles. Thanks. |
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cowcharge
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Post by cowcharge on Mar 19, 2016 15:47:05 GMT -8
I've run wires into the battery compartment of my boombox (8-C cells). You could also install a car stereo if you wanted to, or a DVD player from a minivan. I've also on occasion hooked up a cheap powered set of TV rabbit ears that came with a digital converter box for old TVs, because you really need a powered antenna for digital TV to get any range. This one was originally powered from the converter box with DC, but now I have a digital-ready TV and don't need the converter, so I just hooked the wires right to the battery. It works great.
Everything that came with my trailer was 12v, except the 110 outlets, converter and the fridge; water pump, furnace, lights, range hood, all 12v.
The 12v refrigerators/coolers that have Danfoss compressors work well, but are very expensive. Don't waste your time with the thermo-electric ones, all they do is get you about 30 degrees below ambient temperature and are very inefficient.
I've been toying with mounting a small shop vac somewhere, wired to one of my inverters for "central" vacuum... But it's more of a gimmick than practical, I think.
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