Add 12 volt outlet

[bzerull]

I have a grand design 22mle travel trailer. I want to add a 12 volt socket since there are none. I know I could drill holes and access my battery, but just don’t want to to that to a new TT. Is there a good place to access a 12 volt source and a good way to hide the wires in the wall/ceiling? Looking for some tips and advice if you have done this before. Would greatly appreciate any help you may have to offer.

 

[Jeff in Ferndale Wa]

I put one in my TT front bedroom for my CPAP machine.I went from the battery through the front storage compartment and into the small closet next to the bed. I fastened the wire to the top of the storage compartment.

 

[Rene T]

I guess it would depend what you want it for.

 

[bzerull]

I put one in my TT front bedroom for my CPAP machine.I went from the battery through the front storage compartment and into the small closet next to the bed. I fastened the wire to the top of the storage compartment.

Here did you enter the outside of the trailer from the battery?

 

[SpencerPJ]

You could grab the 12vdc at the converter and run a wire? Actually anything that runs when off battery only (not plugged in) you could tap. Be careful with load and amps. without knowing what you are up too.

 

[RVfixer]

I am in need of a 12 VDC accessory plug in my trailer bedroom also. My galley counter/cabinet is against the bedroom wall. The galley cabinet also contains the water pump. The water line from the tank to the pump comes up through the floor into that cabinet and to the pump. My plan is to dig some sealant out around the water line. I'll run my wire (a piece of an old extension cord) from the battery through the floor at the water hose penetration, through the galley cabinet and through the wall and into the bedroom. Then I'll clamp the wire run as required and reseal the penetration.

My trailer has a forward bedroom and forward galley so the wire run isn't very long. I am using a length of 14 amp extension cord. Be sure to use large enough wire to carry the load you intend to apply. The longer the wire run the more the voltage drop and the higher the amperage draw.

If you don't have a cabinet to run through and have to run externally on a wall or ceiling, they have small plastic tracks that attach to a wall or ceiling (with screws or double back tape) to run the wires through and then snap on the track cover. Those make a neat external wire run. Check Home Depot or the like.

 

[bzerull]

Some good ideas here. I want the 12v supply for a c pap in front bedroom and one for a cell phone amplifier near tv (for streaming) which is near the center of the trailer. Do you think it would be ok to tap power from the 12v supply going to the water pump?

 

[SpencerPJ]

Can you look at your plugs and units and see what amps they draw. The cell phone amplifier I would guess is very small amps, and the water pump might be a fine source, imo. I do not know enough about cpap.

You might consider a simple adapter from Amazon
adapter

 

[bzerull]

I like the adapter idea. Hadn’t seen one before. Would work on the cell phone, but not cpap, since i want the 12v power for when I’d do not have 120v power

 

[TonyL]

Take a look at the distribution panel, there might be a spare 12 volt fuseway you could use. Then see if there is any easy cable routing to where you want the socket.

 

[bzerull]

No spare fuse. Would have been nice

 

[Jeff in Ferndale Wa]

Here did you enter the outside of the trailer from the battery?

I drilled a small hole from the front into the storage compartment.I did it at the bottom edge,where it's not very noticable.
Then ran it up to the top of the compartment behind a false wall in the front, along the top of the storage,and drilled another hole into the back of the cabinet on my side of the bed.
I used the smallest drill bit I could get away with,and sealed it up with silicone.
I had the same reservations about drilling into a brand new trailer, but did it anyway!

 

[Ernie n Tara]

Be aware that a cpap mey not be adequately supported overnight by a single battery. Check the current drain before proceeding.

Ernie

 

[Jeff in Ferndale Wa]

Be aware that a cpap mey not be adequately supported overnight by a single battery. Check the current drain before proceeding.

Ernie

I don't know the numbers, but when I had my Roll a Home tent trailer, my CPAP with the humidifier would go 2-3 nights on a Die Hard jump starter. Have not used it yet in the new trailer with a single battery on 12v only, but I would think it would do better than the jump starter.

 

[CharlesinGA]

The Diehard Jump starter is most likely a small lithium battery and will last a lot longer than a regular lead acid battery.

They are pricey but the portable lithium power boxes (sometimes erroneously called "solar generators" or the like, by Bluetti AC200P 2000Wh/2000W Portable Power Station or the Jackery units, is a common way of powering CPAPs nowdays. They make smaller ones, so don't panic over the price, but they are quite useful to someone who needs lots of power in a small camper. They will work electric blankets etc quite well also.

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Charles

 

[bzerull]

Be aware that a cpap mey not be adequately supported overnight by a single battery. Check the current drain before proceeding.

Ernie

Yes, i am aware. I have used battery backup at home during power outages

 

[bzerull]

The Diehard Jump starter is most likely a small lithium battery and will last a lot longer than a regular lead acid battery.

They are pricey but the portable lithium power boxes (sometimes erroneously called "solar generators" or the like, by Bluetti AC200P 2000Wh/2000W Portable Power Station or the Jackery units, is a common way of powering CPAPs nowdays. They make smaller ones, so don't panic over the price, but they are quite useful to someone who needs lots of power in a small camper. They will work electric blankets etc quite well also.

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Charles

Good info. I was not aware of this. Thankyou