12 VDC Outlet Installation
 

I installed two 12 volt outlets on the side the kitchen cabinet. I got the double outlet at a local West Marine store.

The wiring consists of a marine 12/2 wire that runs from the cabinet, under the trailer, to the battery compartment. It is fused at the battery compartment. I sealed the hole where the wire it comes out of the trailer floor with 3M 4200.

Both outlets are on the same 20A circuit. This is OK because the largest draw I will have is a 12 VDC coffee maker. I do not plug anything else in when this is running. The other things that I will plug into here are a TV, phone chargers, camera battery charger, etc.

Eventually I want to install one or two more 12 VDC outlets on the side of the refrigerator cabinet.

Neat work
 

Now whats that toggle switch control?

It's the Warp Drive Control Switch... :)

Actually, it controls the electric winch that helps raise and lower the tip-out. If you look at the instructional videos linked on this site you will see one that explains how to extend and retract the tip-out.

Raul

Do you remember the model # of the double 12v outlet from west marine?

Outlets of all kinds can be found on ebay, I put one on the side of the fridge and have regretted not making it a double.

P/N 6867915

WEST MARINE 12V Flush-Mount Receptacles & Plugs at West Marine

Good morning Raul, nice job on the outlets. Putting an outlet on the side of the fridge is a job, at least in my trailer, it has the drawer on top and the wall on the side is double. Top has to come off and the outlet just fits under the drawer and the top of the fridge,

120 outlet
 

Some time ago I installed one additional 120 volt outlet in the Hi Lo dedicated to an electric heater. At most campgrounds with electrical hook ups there is at least a 30 amp connection for the Hi Lo. Normally there are additional outlets on the campground post. I run an extension cord from that outlet to the Hi Lo. I installed an "inlet" from the marine store and mounted it on the outside of the Hi Lo. That is where the other end of the extension cord connects to the camper. From the inlet I ran a wire to the inside wall where I put a normal wall outlet.
Now when we camp in cool temps at a campground with hooks ups I don't have to use my gas furnace to heat the camper. I use small electric heater. But it's circuit is independent of the Hi Lo electrical system. This way the wife can run the coffee maker and microwave on the camper's electrical circuits while the little electric heater runs straight off the pole.
Just a different way to skin a cat.
God Bless
Papa

It's going to be complicated on mine also. Unlike the kitchen cabinet, the existing wires in that area are behind a plywood enclosure that's stapled together. I wish they had used screws instead.

My 2209 had the top cover screwed on.

electrical outlet
 

Staples must be cheaper than screws!!

And much faster to place.

In a ziplock bag in the battery box I carry a 12V adapter that has battery clamps. In case I need a quick outlet outside and don't want to move my truck. I think I got it at a marine supply place. I have only used it once.

Thanks for the info, I'm also looking at the dual USB outlet by the same manufacture that run off of the 12volt system for charging phones so I don't have to carry so many different adapters.

"for charging phones"
 

You did know (didn't you) ... you can plug your cell phone into a computers USB port and charge it from there?

Les,
That's a good idea. When I install the additional 12 volt outlets I will install a USB outlet as well.

Wrascal,
I prefer to plug the phones, Kindle, etc. into a dedicated outlet overnight, and not drain the laptop battery.

Wrascal,

When we travel, we use a tablet computer, ergo no laptopcomputer with which to charge the phone, etc.

Norton Rider,

Re: "That's a good idea. When I install the additional 12 volt outlets I will install a USB outlet as well".

Why run the extra wiring; why not just buy a 12volt adapter and plug it into the 12volt outlet? Here are some examples: 12 volt adapter to usb - Bing Images

jcurtis95

Because I'm an anal-retentive engineer. :)

Actually, I use one of these adapters in the trailer already. My point is, since I was already planning on installing two more 12 volt outlets in the trailer, why not make one a 12 volt outlet and the other one a USB outlet. Then I won't need any adapters; I can just plug the USB cord right to the outlet.

Now y'all need to install some of those wireless charging pads.

I'm thinking of adding both Serial and Parallel computer ports, just for grins and giggles. That'll raise a few eyebrows.

Defective outlet
 

Quick question! Top half of duplex outlet in front of kitchen sink quit working after using it all nite for my ceramic floor heater? Why??
Joe

My educated guess is that the outlet has gone bad if one side works and the other side is bad. The two sides of a receptical can be split if you break off the tabs between the screws. We do this in a house if you want one half hot all the time and the other half connected to a wall switch to operate a lamp. No reason for this on this outlet. If I remember, this outlet is connected to a ground fault outlet. Find that GFC outlet and press the test button, then the reset button and see if this helps. Also check to see that the connections behind the outlet are tight.

Joe,

As I recall if the outlets does not have its own Ground Fault, then it may be connected to a ground fault outlet in the bath room. If the GFI was activated, it should remove current from both upper and lower outlets. You said the top half so I assume the bottom half still works? If that is the case, you should turn the AC off and remove the outlet to check it. As Jim L said there is a link between the two outlets that can be cut for separate circuit functions but not likely in this case. Check the wiring for loose connections and signs of arcing and tighten or replace if necessary.

If it is wired directly to the circuit box, check the circuit amperage rating. If your ceramic heater exceeds that rating and your wiring is sufficient to upgrade the breaker, you might change that breaker out.

I would think a 15-amp breaker would handle the wattage drawn by the ceramic heater if it is the only appliance in use at the time. If something else is drawing current and the heater draws a lot of current for a prolonged time, it may cause the breaker or GFI to heat up just enough to trip. You might also give the ceramic heater an inspection to see that all is well.

If everything checks out okay and it happens again, then you might want to have an electrician check it out.

jcurtis95

I replaced the cable/telephone out let with a cable/12 volt outlet. I really don't think anyone uses the telephone outlet. Installation was easy. The telephone wire came in handy for pulling the new wire down from the outlet opening. I ran the wire to the fuse panel and connected to a blank fuse location. I think I used a 15 amp fuse and 12 gauge wire. The memoery is gone. RV camper Trailer TV Outlet 12 Volt 75 Ohm Outlet | eBay You have to look around to find these outlet plates, my dealer friend had one that he just gave me.

Be careful not to connect high current devices to the outlet you installed. It is only rated to 8 Amps.

I don't have anything that draws near that much. I can't remember if it had any rating marked on it. Maybe I should back the fuse off a bit. Thanks!

I use a 12 volt coffee maker in my TT. That's why I went with outlets rated to 20A.

I bought a 12 VDC adapter for my CPAP machine and then installed a 12VDC outlet next to the bed. Now I can sleep in comfort while camping at the many dry campsites we have in our State. Actually, I use the DC adapter even when we have an electrical hook-up. Makes for one less cord (the AC) to pack!

Most CPAP machines have a DC adapter available. So if you are a user, this might be something for you to consider.

Jim

Just curious as to why you ran the feed from the battery box, do you not have a 12v fuse block inside the camper?
I have a 12v fuse block next to my converter under the seat on my 95 towlite that I ran a 12v outlet and my fridge fans to, there were 3 or 4 unused circuits on it.

My trailer has one unused circuit in the converter fuse block. It is rated for 15A and I wanted the new outlets to have a 20A capacity. So I couldn't use it. I could have run power straight from the battery feed on the fuse block to a dedicated fuse or to an extra fuse block, but I decided that running straight from the battery was actually easier.

Raul, coffee maker question
 

Raul, we'd be interested in knowing your opinion of your coffee maker and what brand you bought. We are serious coffee drinkers and aren't much interested in a dinky 4 cup machine. Would you make the same purchase again? Thanks for your time. Jim and Brenda in Memphis

We use a Cuisinart 12 volt coffee maker that has a 4 cup capacity. It takes a long time to brew, maybe 3x-4x longer than an AC-powered one but it makes good coffee. We brew 2-3 pots and pour the coffee in a large thermos.

This site carries a few 12 volt coffee makers: 12 Volt Coffee Makers: Power Hunt, Cuisinart, RoadPro 12 Volt Coffee Pots

Why not a percolator? It smells so good and warms the trailer in the morning? Of course that is one of my fond memories of camping as a child. Although if we have AC we use a drip.
Ralph

Still looking
 

We've talked to other people and they mostly seems to say the 12V is pretty slow. I guess we'll stay with our Black and Decker drip for now. Tell me, what smells better in the outdoors than coffee brewing and bacon in the pan?

We have a coleman drip coffee maker that sits on top of the burner.

It does a very nice job.

You must be pretty smart because we have one too. :D I have been taking it outside and sitting it on the old Coleman stove when the weather allows.

I bought a new Coleman propane 10-cup machine yesterday, new, on Ebay for $40.00. I'll let you know if it was worth the money.

Coffee option
 

We use a French press for coffee while in the Hi-Lo. Inexpensive, water heats on the propane stove top, good coffee.