Additonal 12v sockets (2 Viewers)

[Jagtazman]

Looking to add 2 USB ports and a cigarette socket to the rear habitation area over the bed
to make it easier to charge mobile phones and plug a fan in.

Can I ask is is best to fed into the battery, fuse box or to tap into an existing connection.
If tap into existing can I use the light switch?

Can anyone recommend the best type of plugs/ports to use, I was thinking these?


Or would it be better to put 2 individual ones in?

 

[DBK]

If you connect directly to the battery you will need to add an in-line fuse (10A say or 5A if the fan doesn't take much current) and a switch. The USB socket will draw a very small current when not in use so you need to be able to isolate it and of course this is safer than having it running all the time. It might fail and catch fire.
If you connect to the lighting system you need to check the fuses won't blow when you connect the fan by adding up all the amps being used by everything on the lighting circuit and include the fan. The USB socket shouldn't take much more than 1A but allow say 2A for a bit of leeway.
That combination socket looks neat. The only downside is it doesn't have two USB outlets of 2A+ as I've found the 1A outlets are useless for charging tablets unless the tablet is switched off.

 

[Alistair33]

I've had the sockets you linked to and they are fine, you can also get similar with 2 x 2.1 amp outlets, personally. I would think your power Broken Link Removed would be dependant on what is near to the proposed location, bearing in mind what power you need, phones use little, fans I have no idea about.

Hopefully The Pencil will see this and comment ( @Lenny HB )

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[Jagtazman]

I've had the sockets you linked to and they are fine, you can also get similar with 2 x 2.1 amp outlets, personally. I would think your power Broken Link Removed would be dependant on what is near to the proposed location, bearing in mind what power you need, phones use little, fans I have no idea about.

Hopefully The Pencil will see this and comment ( @Lenny HB )

Not seen the 2 x 2.1a anyone got a link to one?

 

[Welsh girl]

I've got one permanently wired to the leisure batter with an inline fuse. Had to put one in for the TV and I use a 3 socket adapter on it to charge my phone or tablet.

 

[Alistair33]

Not seen the 2 x 2.1a anyone got a link to one?

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[TheBig1]

Not seen the 2 x 2.1a anyone got a link to one?

this one is dual 3.1 amp
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/12V-Dual-...fce0e3a&pid=100005&rk=6&rkt=6&sd=401296324207

 

[magicsurfbus]

Probably stating the bleeding obvious, but make sure the inline fuse is reachable when you fit the socket. I notice the fitter who put ours in has very kindly left the fuse holder accessible.

 

[Jagtazman]

Probably stating the bleeding obvious, but make sure the inline fuse is reachable when you fit the socket. I notice the fitter who put ours in has very kindly left the fuse holder accessible.

Thx gonna look to do myself although steep learning curve for me. Can I be cheeky and ask how much your fitter charged?

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[JimJams]

Honestly if you can run a feed direct from the battery with inline fuse then this would be the best option.

If you start looking at using lighting feeds then sometimes these are not always live when the lights are turned off.

 

[magicsurfbus]

Thx gonna look to do myself although steep learning curve for me. Can I be cheeky and ask how much your fitter charged?

Nothing - it was one of a number of free extras we got when we bought the MH. It always pays to be cheeky and ask

 

[Jagtazman]

Honestly if you can run a feed direct from the battery with inline fuse then this would be the best option.

If you start looking at using lighting feeds then sometimes these are not always live when the lights are turned off.

Well looking at over bed at back of van which is over top of batteries so sbe easy enough just need to work our best route and best place to put sockets. Would inline fuse be best in garage for easy access?

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[JimJams]

Well looking at over bed at back of van which is over top of batteries so sbe easy enough just need to work our best route and best place to put sockets. Would inline fuse be best in garage for easy access?

Yeh good idea, put the fuse at the batteries as generally an easy place to access in the unlikely event to need to access it.

I would try and look at see if you could trace along the overhead cupboards across the top and come into a wardrobe to get down which in turn will hide the cabling as an example and run back to the battery?

 

[WillH]

I fitted one of these last year on the shelf under the TV mount and above the bed.

Works a treat and looks good. Most things charge off a USB nowadays.

 

[Jagtazman]

I fitted one of these last year on the shelf under the TV mount and above the bed.

Works a treat and looks good. Most things charge off a USB nowadays.

Cheers not sure on benefit of volt meter mind you.

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[Langtoftlad]

I did see somewhere that someone had fitted similar sockets in an overhead cupboard... reasoning being hidden cabling, somewhere to put whatever is being charged, secure ie out of sight, door hides annoying LED's.
The only negative to this, in my mind, is how hot do the tablet/phone batteries get whilst being charged, and being in an enclosed space.

 

[Jagtazman]

I would never put in a cupboard we have a open shelf over the bed in between to cupboards which is where I am planning on putting my sockets. Easy reach and open ventilation.

 

[Stealaway]

If you connect directly to the battery you will need to add an in-line fuse

One of these would be good


http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_f...TRS0&_nkw=in+line+car+fuse+holder&_sacat=6030

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[Jagtazman]

BTW is this the correct type of wire to use?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/10m-15A-RED-AND-BLACK-12V-12-VOLT-CAR-AUTO-POWER-CABLE-HI-FI-SPEAKER-WIRE/132073576017?_trksid=p2047675.c100011.m1850&_trkparms=aid=222007&algo=SIC.MBE&ao=1&asc=43782&meid=47cc51d44f834a069e21afdef9ed803f&pid=100011&rk=3&rkt=4&sd=141844502672




what's best 1mm at 16a or 2mm at 25a?

 

[DBK]

1mm 1

BTW is this the correct type of wire to use?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/10m-15A-RED-AND-BLACK-12V-12-VOLT-CAR-AUTO-POWER-CABLE-HI-FI-SPEAKER-WIRE/132073576017?_trksid=p2047675.c100011.m1850&_trkparms=aid=222007&algo=SIC.MBE&ao=1&asc=43782&meid=47cc51d44f834a069e21afdef9ed803f&pid=100011&rk=3&rkt=4&sd=141844502672




what's best 1mm at 16a or 2mm at 25a?

1mm 16A will be fine. The main thing is not to use a wire with a solid conductor of the type used in domestic wiring. These can fracture in a vehicle due to vibration. Technically, this is because the copper can "work harden" and become much stiffer and eventually cracks propagate at a point of stress, typically where the wire is fixed at say a terminal. The multi-conductor wires are what you need when things might move.

 

[Lenny HB]

I bought works well charges a crappad OK, I mounted in a panel with a switch connected to a nearby 12v socket.
It is pot luck with the cheap Chinese ones they all look the same but some are better than other.

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[DBK]

Cheers not sure on benefit of volt meter mind you.

I guess if you don't have a voltmeter that would be one way of installing one, and a lot cheaper than the purpose built jobs. I wouldn't be without our voltmeter, without it you don't know the state of discharge of the leisure batteries.

 

[Jagtazman]

I guess if you don't have a voltmeter that would be one way of installing one, and a lot cheaper than the purpose built jobs. I wouldn't be without our voltmeter, without it you don't know the state of discharge of the leisure batteries.

We got volt meter in control panel for engine and leisure batteries

 

[Chrysalis]

https://www.caravanaccessoryshop.co.uk/ Do a nice line in C-line sockets switches etc which match the square sockets I see in most MHs. They have the 3 pin 240V ones, 12V cigarette lighter type and one that has 2 USBs (2.1A & 1A) so good for phones, tablets etc. Ensure you put a fuse in line. If fitting more than one you can get a small spade type fuse box from Halfords or Amazon for a few pounds

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[Stewart J]

Also going to add some extra sockets, this company seem very good with a large range of cbe products very competively priced.
https://clearcutconversions.co.uk/p...components/12v-and-240v-sockets-and-switches/

 

[maxi77]

I tend to wire any new thing direct from the battery using a fused distribution block.

 

[Jagtazman]

What inline switch does peeps us?

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[TheBig1]

What inline switch does peeps us?

one that matches what is already in use, cbe or berker are common and you can choose a trim to match existing

 

[Jagtazman]

one that matches what is already in use, cbe or berker are common and you can choose a trim to match existing

Having probs finding a high rated one, best i can find is 6amp, I know my inline fuse will be 25 or 30a as def need 15a for fan so best to go higher.
However thinking of having an inline switch so the sockets are not perm live when not in use

 

[TheBig1]

Having probs finding a high rated one, best i can find is 6amp, I know my inline fuse will be 25 or 30a as def need 15a for fan so best to go higher.
However thinking of having an inline switch so the sockets are not perm live when not in use

the simple solution is add a basic relay. use the switch to control power to the relay and the relay contacts will conduct 30amps easily. just make sure the wiring you use can handle that current plus 10% at least

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