adding 12 volt outlet
Printed From: R-pod Owners Forum
Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
Forum Discription: Ask maintenance questions, share your podmods (modifications) and helpful tips
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1011
Printed Date: 12 May 2025 at 3:53pm
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Topic: adding 12 volt outlet
Posted By: GrandPod
Subject: adding 12 volt outlet
Date Posted: 07 Jan 2010 at 7:33am
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I'm going to add 3 12 volt power socket inside the R-Pod; Anyone have advise as to where to place the sockets and to pick up the 12 Volts D.C.
Thanks
Tom ------------- Tom and Linda R-Pod 177 Southwest Florida |
Replies:
Posted By: cane2
Date Posted: 07 Jan 2010 at 7:44am
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Depends on what pod. I put a 300 watt inverter along side dinette direct from the big converter. You could steal power from the water pump if you do not need many amps. I have found the one i have works great. We have a 177. If you need a lot of amps keep it real close to main converter. The inverter i have also has a 12 volt plug on it. Bought it at WM. ------------- |
Posted By: HuronSailor
Date Posted: 07 Jan 2010 at 8:52am
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I have a couple of unused circuits on the converter in my 172. If that's true of your 177, I'd tap into the power right there. It does limit the choices as to where you can put the outlets, though. ------------- .: Mark & Beth :: Silverado 5.3L :: 2018 rPod 180 :. |
Posted By: GrandPod
Date Posted: 07 Jan 2010 at 9:56am
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Thanks Cane2 and HuronSailor; I have the 177 and there are 2 unused positions on the converter fuse panel. I'll put 1 outlet on the side of the dinette by the converter ; 1 behind the stove and 1 back by the bed. I think I'll use double outlets at each location.I'll fuse them with a 15 amp fuse.
Tom ------------- Tom and Linda R-Pod 177 Southwest Florida |
Posted By: cane2
Date Posted: 07 Jan 2010 at 12:36pm
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I think 15 amp is pusing it. It would be ok by the dinatte seat but other ones should , i think be 5 amp or less just me saying that. Fifteen amp would take # 10 to do it rite. ------------- |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 07 Jan 2010 at 1:31pm
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Voltage drop over 10 feet, with 12 gauge wire, 15 amp load, is 5% (end-of-line voltage 11.4). With 10 gauge wire it is 3.1% (11.62 volts). Voltage drop should be held below 3% so cane is right. Use 10 gauge for your wire run to the back and keep it to 10 feet and you can use a 15 amp fuse - but that's pushing it. If you know your loads in the back will be less than that I would use a 10 amp fuse. Keep a high-draw item like a 300 amp inverter near the converter, which is closer to 30 amps at full load. A 2-foot 10 gauge run at 30 amps is only a 1.2% drop. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual 
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Posted By: TIDALWAVE
Date Posted: 07 Jan 2010 at 3:01pm
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When someone is finished installing extra 12 or 110 Volt outlets...would you be kind enough to explain (show) how you ran the wires through your pods? I thought about doing that, but got too nervous worrying about drilling, cutting, and/or snaking the wires. ------------- TIDALWAVE |
Posted By: GrandPod
Date Posted: 07 Jan 2010 at 4:25pm
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I wasn't going to use an inverter but only need outlets to power 12v dc DVD and other outlets for cell phone charging and small dc appliances. Thinking about going solar in the futur and only using 12v d.c. appliances other than propane for stove; refridgerater and water heater.
Will post pictures when I've added outlets.
Tom ------------- Tom and Linda R-Pod 177 Southwest Florida |
Posted By: thinking1
Date Posted: 02 May 2010 at 12:22am
 Sorry I'm new to all this (obviously) and know little about ac/dc. Would it be possible to just plug something like this into an RPod AC outlet? I'm looking for how to get a DC outlet in my RV when it is only running off battery power. Do the AC outlets receive power if the RV is only on battery? And would a device like this work, converting AC to DC without burning up all the battery's power supply? Thanks for any help! |
Posted By: HuronSailor
Date Posted: 02 May 2010 at 9:29am
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There's no power to the AC outlets when running off the battery, so the plug-in converter you show wouldn't work. It is pretty slick, though. ------------- .: Mark & Beth :: Silverado 5.3L :: 2018 rPod 180 :. |
Posted By: thinking1
Date Posted: 02 May 2010 at 4:53pm
HA! Thank you! I told you I knew little about this. I appreciate the response, and the lack of ridicule  Thought I was onto a quick and easy fix, but I guess not!
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Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 02 May 2010 at 9:23pm
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Welcome thinking1. No question is dumb, we are all glad to help here.
------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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