School me - 12v to 110 outlet
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Topic: School me - 12v to 110 outlet
Posted By: GLBCamper
Subject: School me - 12v to 110 outlet
Date Posted: 14 Oct 2015 at 10:52pm
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Would someone please give me the "for dummies" version of what I need to convert one of the outlets to run off of 12v so that I can use a small appliance or charge my phone, etc.
------------- Old: 2014 177 HRE 2015 Tacoma V6 4x4 Double Cab New: 2016 EVO ATS 200rd 2016 F150 4x4 Sport |
Replies:
Posted By: Podster
Date Posted: 15 Oct 2015 at 6:33am
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Please define "small appliance" Some small appliances draw big power. Many of us just tap a 12v power and install a 12v socket and USB charging port. I also have a 150w MSW inverter to power the DTV.
------------- Cliff & Raelynn Ranger 4.0/178 (1/2 ton 5,800lb tow capacity) |
Posted By: Tars Tarkas
Date Posted: 15 Oct 2015 at 8:28am
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You're too vague, so I'm guessing here. You can't convert a 120v outlet to 12v. (You could, but there are codes and common sense issues that totally prohibit it.) If you have shore power and want to use a 12v appliance you could get a converter to convert 120v AC to 12v DC. The conversion process wastes amps and is a drain on your battery. A simpler thing would be to wire in a 12v "cigarette lighter" outlet off of the pod's breaker/fuse box that pulls 12v directly from the pod battery (no conversion). That way you would always have 12v ready to go. Beware of power drains. Running a high load appliance could run your battery down, leaving you to have to crank the slide in by hand and possibly damage your battery. If you have shore power, there are little USB things that plug into the 120v outlets that will let you charge your phone, etc. You are talking about running a 12v appliance on 12v, right? Some people don't understand the difference between 12v DC and 120v AC and seem to think they could plug a 120v coffee maker into a 12v outlet and get coffee. Not so. (And a 12v coffee maker would probably blow a fuse or drain your battery. They draw so much power you just about have to pop the hood on your vehicle and hook them directly to your car battery with alligator clips while the vehicle is running.) TT ------------- 2010 176 FJ Cruiser |
Posted By: GLBCamper
Date Posted: 15 Oct 2015 at 12:48pm
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Sorry. I should have been more specific. I wouldn't want to plug in much more than the television or the phone charger. I was also thinking a blow dryer, but I understand that has quite a draw. I did a little research and what I want is one of those modified sine wave inverters with two 110 outlets and a couple of USB outlets. Some come with alligator clips to connect directly to the battery. BUT, ideally, I would like to mount it under the bench that has the converter in it. I just don't know what to connect it to inside the pod without running those alligator clips out the window or what. Or if it can be done. That's where I feel like a "dummy." Secondly, if possible, I would like to wire that inverter directly to the dual 110v outlet that is already coming out of that bench, so that I can just plug the television directly into that outlet and leave the lid on the bench with the inverter in it. Effectively making that one outlet a 12v outlet. I do understand that I would want to turn off the inverter when not in use. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks. ------------- Old: 2014 177 HRE 2015 Tacoma V6 4x4 Double Cab New: 2016 EVO ATS 200rd 2016 F150 4x4 Sport |
Posted By: GLBCamper
Date Posted: 15 Oct 2015 at 12:55pm
I think it's possible this is one solution. If I wired a 12v "cigarette Lighter" outlet, then I could just plug the MSW inverter into that and use the 110v plug on the inverter to plug in the television. Can you point me to instructions on how to wire the suggestion above? ------------- Old: 2014 177 HRE 2015 Tacoma V6 4x4 Double Cab New: 2016 EVO ATS 200rd 2016 F150 4x4 Sport |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 15 Oct 2015 at 3:29pm
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If you want to wire in a 12v outlet, I suggest this one. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00N3I1NZW?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=ox_sc_sfl_title_1&smid=AY3F7HLPSB92J - LINK As far as wiring, it's 12v. You run a + from the positive side of the fuse box, and the - back to the 12v negative buss bar. Using the outlet I linked, you have 12v, and 5v USB charge, available all the time. If you are going to use an inverter to power a modern flat screen TV, you are going to need a pure sine. They often won't run on modified. 150watts is more than enough. Also to answer your original question... You can't "run a 120v outlet" on 12v. Now.. for a lot of money, and needing a much larger TT to house everything.. you can run a switched system with inverter that keeps 120v available all the time. But such a system will run $3000 or more, and weigh 400 plus pounds. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00N3I1NZW?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=ox_sc_sfl_title_1&smid=AY3F7HLPSB92J - ------------- |
Posted By: GLBCamper
Date Posted: 15 Oct 2015 at 5:19pm
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Looks simple enough. So, is my thinking right that I can then just plug a PURE sine inverter (thanks for the tip) into that outlet?
I was looking at this: http://www.amazon.com/Samlex--15S--12A-DC-AC-Inverter/dp/B003FWPU5K/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1444944496&sr=8-4&keywords=Samlex+pure+sine+inverter ------------- Old: 2014 177 HRE 2015 Tacoma V6 4x4 Double Cab New: 2016 EVO ATS 200rd 2016 F150 4x4 Sport |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 15 Oct 2015 at 5:24pm
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Yes. Once you install a 12v outlet, properly, you can then plug any 12v accessories into it you want, as long as they don't draw more power than the outlet and wiring is rated for. Then they will blow the fuse. If you look inside your power distribution box, you should find 2-4 open slots on the 12v side for new circuits. ------------- |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 15 Oct 2015 at 8:51pm
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Actually modern electronic power supplies work fine from modified sine wave, and many will even run from a DC input. However, pure sine wave inverters are more efficient running AC loads so they are still the best choice. One of the best small PSW inverters on the market is this one (below). No fan, fully sealed. However, it is 300 watts where you really only need 150 to charge a laptop and a few cell phones, or run the television. http://www.solar-electric.com/inverters-controllers-accessories/inverters/moin/mosu300wasiw.html - http://www.solar-electric.com/inverters-controllers-accessories/inverters/moin/mosu300wasiw.html ------------- 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: Don Halas
Date Posted: 19 Oct 2015 at 5:55pm
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I bought the 12 volt USB receptacle from Amazon. It's mounted below the TV on the wall left of the door (Rpod 178). It was easy to wire to an open terminal on the power supply below it. I also added the wood to the right to strap two cell phones to for charging, keeping them off the limited space of the counter. Be careful to move far enough to the corner 'cause there's a stud there. My first hole hit the stud and I had to start again. The hole was repaired and the wood for the phone charge station hides it also.
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Posted By: fwunder
Date Posted: 19 Oct 2015 at 6:03pm
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This is one mod I'm surprised isn't a factory standard. At least one. I added three. 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: jburns
Date Posted: 26 Oct 2015 at 8:05pm
| This is on my list for next season... The USD ports are almost a must have with phone and camera charges now. |
Posted By: GLBCamper
Date Posted: 27 Oct 2015 at 8:24pm
Just an update from the OP. I installed one of these right next to the outlet I wanted to convert. I get the added benefit of the voltmeter and 2 USB outlets along with the 12v outlet (cigarette lighter style). I just plug my pure sine inverter into the 12v outlet, which has two 110v outlets, and we're off to the races! ------------- Old: 2014 177 HRE 2015 Tacoma V6 4x4 Double Cab New: 2016 EVO ATS 200rd 2016 F150 4x4 Sport |
Posted By: johnmaci
Date Posted: 09 Dec 2015 at 10:53am
Two quick questions please: 1) Do you have any pictures of the connection to the 12v board (if that is how it is wired)? If not, did you run the wires to the battery or just spliced into another 12v wire? 2) Wouldn't an inverter pull too much power and melt your 12v wires? (Pardon my electrical ignorance) 
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Posted By: GLBCamper
Date Posted: 09 Dec 2015 at 12:12pm
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Sorry. I can't get pics right now as the pod is tucked in for the winter. But as far as wiring, each of the plugs in the outlet came with a positive wire and ground wire. Just behind where I mounted it is the pod's converter. I followed furpod's instructions earlier in this thread. FIRST, completely disconnect the batteries and shore power. Open the bench were the converter is and you will see all the connections. Then take the front cover off the converter and you should see two or three open spots for new connections (it will be obvious.) Connect the positive wire from one of the outlets to one of the open slots and install a bus fuse (I did a 10 amp fuse. But someone chime in if you have other thoughts.) Then connect the ground wire to the negative bus bar. This is also obvious once you look around the converter. It is a bar about 5" long screwed down (mine was on the floor inside the bench) where ALL of the ground wires are screwed into. If you don't have an open slot, it's fine to double up. If you get the kind of outlet pictured above with a voltmeter, then just connect that positive wire on that to the same bus as the positive Line In from the battery (you may have to use your best guess here. It is a large gauge red wire.) Now, I did have to extend the length of wire provided with the outlet, but if you have to do that and aren't sure how, take the outlet to the home store and tell them you need to extend the wires and they can tell how. It didn't cost me more than a couple of bucks in supplies. BTW, if I didn't mention it above, I got the outlet on Amazon for about $18. I got the pure sine inverter at eTrailer for about $100. As to your second question, I believe people use the above configuration all the time with no wiring problems. But again, maybe someone else can chime in on that, since I am the original "idiot" who asked the original question (and look at me now! See what you can learn from this board!) ------------- Old: 2014 177 HRE 2015 Tacoma V6 4x4 Double Cab New: 2016 EVO ATS 200rd 2016 F150 4x4 Sport |
Posted By: johnmaci
Date Posted: 09 Dec 2015 at 12:34pm
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That's awesome; thank you.
What size inverter did you get if you don't mind my asking...... |
Posted By: GLBCamper
Date Posted: 09 Dec 2015 at 1:26pm
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This is the one I got: https://www.etrailer.com/12V-Power-Accessories/Wagan/WC2600.html 200 watt. From my research it seemed like that would be plenty for my needs (television, mobile devices, etc.) and still be within the pods 12v capabilities. It's NOT going to handle a blow dryer or space heater, etc. so consider what you want to be running and do the math. If you search on this board for "inverters" you will see a lot of discussion about whether a pure sine inverter is necessary over modified sine. I decided to go with pure since the one above was reasonably priced. But I did see a modified sine inverter at my local Costco recently for under $40. I might have given that a try if I had seen it before I bought the pure sine one. ------------- Old: 2014 177 HRE 2015 Tacoma V6 4x4 Double Cab New: 2016 EVO ATS 200rd 2016 F150 4x4 Sport |
Posted By: Pilot
Date Posted: 20 Dec 2015 at 8:34pm
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My 177 has been put to bed for the winter but i think the boom box had a usb connector on it. ------------- Walt & Lynne 2015 r-pod 177 08 F150 or 2014 Explorer Pinckney,Mi |
Posted By: Podster
Date Posted: 20 Dec 2015 at 10:55pm
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This is to easy... http://www.amazon.com/RCA-WP2UWR-USB-Wall-Plate/dp/B005IPMIBQ - http://www.amazon.com/RCA-WP2UWR-USB-Wall-Plate/dp/B005IPMIBQ ------------- Cliff & Raelynn Ranger 4.0/178 (1/2 ton 5,800lb tow capacity) |
Posted By: GLBCamper
Date Posted: 21 Dec 2015 at 12:51am
BUT this requires you to be on shore power. The outlet I installed (above) runs off 12v. ------------- Old: 2014 177 HRE 2015 Tacoma V6 4x4 Double Cab New: 2016 EVO ATS 200rd 2016 F150 4x4 Sport |
Posted By: Pilot
Date Posted: 21 Dec 2015 at 9:55am
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But the boombox works from 12 v dc.. Seems I was able to charge phone while on battery power last trip. Might be mistaken. ------------- Walt & Lynne 2015 r-pod 177 08 F150 or 2014 Explorer Pinckney,Mi |
Posted By: Podster
Date Posted: 21 Dec 2015 at 10:44am
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It is true, you won't be able to use the USB charger on a wall plug adapter if you are off the grid (except generator). In this case, you may be able to get by on your TV.
------------- Cliff & Raelynn Ranger 4.0/178 (1/2 ton 5,800lb tow capacity) |
Posted By: Pilot
Date Posted: 21 Dec 2015 at 5:38pm
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Don't follow you. Why would the usb plug not work from the boom box while on battery only? ------------- Walt & Lynne 2015 r-pod 177 08 F150 or 2014 Explorer Pinckney,Mi |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 21 Dec 2015 at 6:07pm
He is talking about the wall plug posted, not your radio. 3 different conversations and options going on here. ------------- |
Posted By: Pilot
Date Posted: 21 Dec 2015 at 6:15pm
Confusing!!!! ------------- Walt & Lynne 2015 r-pod 177 08 F150 or 2014 Explorer Pinckney,Mi |
Posted By: Podster
Date Posted: 21 Dec 2015 at 8:56pm
I was referring to this post... ------------- Cliff & Raelynn Ranger 4.0/178 (1/2 ton 5,800lb tow capacity) |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 22 Dec 2015 at 12:17pm
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Just don't get the version with the transmogrifier. ------------- 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: furpod
Date Posted: 22 Dec 2015 at 1:44pm
All reports are that the Mark II is fine. Hard to come by though.. ------------- |
Posted By: GLBCamper
Date Posted: 22 Dec 2015 at 5:16pm
Ah...a Calvin and Hobbes fan after my own heart! ------------- Old: 2014 177 HRE 2015 Tacoma V6 4x4 Double Cab New: 2016 EVO ATS 200rd 2016 F150 4x4 Sport |