12 volt out lets
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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=4658
Printed Date: 17 May 2024 at 3:21am
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Topic: 12 volt out lets
Posted By: Deltafrog
Subject: 12 volt out lets
Date Posted: 29 Apr 2014 at 10:56am
| Anyone put in 12 volt outlets???? |
Replies:
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 29 Apr 2014 at 11:04am
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Yes.
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Posted By: Outbound
Date Posted: 29 Apr 2014 at 12:01pm
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Yes, several. I used two unused slots in my converter (and added fuses, obviously). I prefer the flush-mount 12v outlets. ------------- Craig :: 2009 RP171 towed by a 2017 F150 |
Posted By: GlobeTrotter
Date Posted: 07 May 2014 at 1:15pm
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Yes. In our 177, one bench next to the AC plug for a fan or computer. One under bed next to AC plug for my CPAP. ------------- Podding from Montana and loving it! |
Posted By: cody91
Date Posted: 08 May 2014 at 1:07pm
Did you use one slot per 12v outlet? Is it possible to string two or more 12v outlets to one converter slot without causing a problem? Thanks, Cody |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 08 May 2014 at 1:19pm
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You can, if you keep an eye on the total load. ------------- 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: Outbound
Date Posted: 08 May 2014 at 2:17pm
Yes, I've wired them in parallel. Of course, you have to be mindful of the amperage, the gauge of the wiring and the fuse. ------------- Craig :: 2009 RP171 towed by a 2017 F150 |
Posted By: cody91
Date Posted: 08 May 2014 at 3:56pm
If I wire two 12 VDC outlets in parallel (meaning 4 wires running to the same converter slot), what gauge wiring and fuse would you recommend? Thanks! |
Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 08 May 2014 at 7:12pm
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Use #12 AWG wire to minimize voltage drop to the added sockets. Use a 15 amp fuse. A 20A fuse would protect #12 wire, but most 12V sockets are rated at 15A or less. Therefore I suggest a 15 Amp fuse. With this configuration each individual socket can supply 15A but the total of the two cannot exceed 15A. Clear as mud? ------------- Charlie Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 08 May 2014 at 8:46pm
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Depends on the distance to the battery (not the converter unless you will always camp with hookups). If you are making a 5 foot run, a full 15 amp load will have a 2.5% voltage drop. If it is a 10 foot run that increases to 5%. You want to stay below 2% for low voltage systems so 12 gauge is marginal but probably ok, if you are close enough. Since you'll be close to a 5 foot run where the battery cables enter the pod from outside, anything farther than that will require 10 gauge cable. Even at just 10 feet 10 gauge cable is too small with a full load. Keep in mind that marginal cable sizing will become a bigger problem as your battery falls below 12 volts. If you want to play around with the numbers you can use this voltage drop calculator: http://www.nooutage.com/vdrop.htm - http://www.nooutage.com/vdrop.htm
------------- 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: CharlieM
Date Posted: 08 May 2014 at 9:23pm
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I agree and I did run #10 for my added outlets, but I'm a stickler and I've learned to work with #10. Most devices used by campers don't pull 15A so I've suggested #12. That said I agree #10 is better especially for longer runs. It's just harder to run and may be overkill for iPads, lights, fans, etc. Camp on................ ------------- Charlie Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD |
Posted By: cody91
Date Posted: 08 May 2014 at 9:41pm
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[QUOTE=CharlieM]Use #12 AWG wire to minimize voltage drop to the added sockets. Use a 15 amp fuse. A 20A fuse would protect #12 wire, but most 12V sockets are rated at 15A or less. Therefore I suggest a 15 Amp fuse. With this configuration each individual socket can supply 15A but the total of the two cannot exceed 15A. Clear as mud?[/QUOTE] Crystal clear. I was already planning to use 12 gauge wire and a 15A fuse for a single run to the converter box. I don't think I'll be running much through each line (Ipad, garmin GPS watch, etc.) and will rarely use both at the same time. Thanks,
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Posted By: cody91
Date Posted: 09 May 2014 at 3:56pm
| I'm trying to find the best places to mount two 12 VDC outlets in R178. Anyone have any suggestions? |
Posted By: fwunder
Date Posted: 09 May 2014 at 4:05pm
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Ya know cody, I would probably go camping a time or two first. I put my first one right next to the WFCO panel cuz it was easy an made sense for charging phones and small inverter for TV. I bought a 12v. 6 foot extension and went camping. I soon learned that I (we) wanted another back by the bed for a reading light or CPAP and another under the dinette for the same. Some folks want one in the counter area for the margarita blender. I think it's more a personal decision than a technical one. fred ------------- 2014 RPod 178 => https://goo.gl/CV446f - MyMods and Buying Habits 2008 4Runner Limited 4.0-liter V6 Yes, those are wild ponies dining on grass while dumping tanks! |
Posted By: cody91
Date Posted: 09 May 2014 at 4:26pm
Fred, Thanks for the response. Just trying to gather some insight from those who've gone there before me. I'm also thinking about that panel to the right of the converter box. Seems like an easy distance and no wire fishing would be necessary. I'm think about sometimes putting that plug-in battery monitor someone mentioned a while back so I thought near the converter box may be too low.
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Posted By: fwunder
Date Posted: 09 May 2014 at 4:36pm
Cody, my WFCO solution was the following. Yeah, it's a little low for the plug-in voltmeter, but not horrible. I did install a voltmeter up top, but it takes a bit more work sawing and drilling and cutting and wire fishing.  You could put your 12v. outlet up top in the 178 on either side of the stereo. It's an easy drop to the panel from there. Just didn't seem convenient to me. fred ------------- 2014 RPod 178 => https://goo.gl/CV446f - MyMods and Buying Habits 2008 4Runner Limited 4.0-liter V6 Yes, those are wild ponies dining on grass while dumping tanks! |
Posted By: cody91
Date Posted: 09 May 2014 at 9:40pm
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Fred, That's a pretty cool voltmeter. I think I'm going to put the my plug around the same spot you placed yours. Thanks, Cody
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Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 10 May 2014 at 8:49am
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This is a 177.. almost exactly the same floorplan as a 178: front bench, next to the power center..  next to the bed, there is a little "shelf" next to the bed when the slide is out, just perfect for a phone to sit on:  ------------- |
Posted By: kylekai
Date Posted: 09 Sep 2014 at 1:29pm
I have a 179, and it has a U shaped dinette. Under the rear portion of the seat are a lot of wires. Can any of those be used for a 12 volt power outlet? |
Posted By: Webstas
Date Posted: 09 Sep 2014 at 2:02pm
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anyone know the model number off the WFCO converters that are in our pods? is it the 35 amp Power Center? http://www.wfcoelectronics.com/UI/Power-Centers-WF-8935ANP.aspx?ptype=3&pid=11 |
Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 09 Sep 2014 at 2:11pm
Your converter should be a WF-8955, a 55 Amp converter. ------------- Charlie Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD |
Posted By: Webstas
Date Posted: 09 Sep 2014 at 2:12pm
| Thanks! |