RE: 12v recepticles on outside of trailer

Preacher · Sep 28, 2003, 07:05 PM

Has anyone put a 12 volt recepticle (cigarette type) on the outside of their trailer? I would like to put one on both sides of my trailer for the purpose of using my 12volt airpump to put air in the trailer tires. There are times that I have wanted to put air in them, but could not get the Jimmy close enough because of trees, table, etc when we are camping or I have to drive on the grass at home. (Since it is a parsonage the church people kind of frown on it.) What problems could you forsee in doing this?

garym053 · May 14, 2003, 10:28 PM

PreacherWouldn t it be easier to make the cable longer? Or make up an " extension" cord using a cigarette type plug and outlet? OR if your TV trailer wiring has a charge wire, modify a plug to plug into the TV and have a outlet on the other end, that way you could use heavier gauge wire to start and then plug the compresor wire into the cigarette outlet.

Preacher · May 14, 2003, 10:39 PM

PreacherGary,

You are probably right! But it would be just one more extension to keep up with, or it seems as if my compressor wire is always tangled up on something or wrapped in knots. My thought was if they were near the tire I could just plug in and air (using the trailer battery). If the trailer is up, I can reach the door side tire as my wire reaches to the 12 volt recepticle inside the trailer, but not the other side. This is just one of those hmmmmm things.

Tim5055 · May 15, 2003, 05:42 AM

PreacherThe main problem I see is this just creates two additional spaces through the skin of the trailer that need to be kept watertight.

For me I have the 12v DC connector next to the door in the light, and if I needed one on the street side I would put it inside one of the compartments, like the refrigerator area. As there is a 12v DC line there already it would be an easy addition.

AustinBoston · May 15, 2003, 08:17 AM

Preacher

QuoteORIGINAL: Preacher
If the trailer is up, I can reach the door side tire as my wire reaches to the 12 volt recepticle inside the trailer, but not the other side. This is just one of those hmmmmm things.

If the trailer is up, undo a couple of bungies from the non-door side and pass the cord under the canvas. Then the cord should reach easily.

I m with those who say " use an extension." To me, it s one more thing to try to keep watertight for only infrequent or brief usage.

If you were setting up some piece of gear that would be up the whole camping trip, then having an extension to trip over could be a problem, but I doubt your compressor is needed for more than a few minutes each trip. Gusy I work with would say " Don t come up with a two hour sloution to a ten minute problem."

Austin

oldmoose · May 15, 2003, 05:23 PM

PreacherI solved the problem by going to Radio Shack and buying the double female 12 volt receptacle and 1/4" phono plugs. The outside light on my trailer has a 1/4" plug on it. I wired them up and since I had the extension cord, I can easily run the air compressor.

topcat7736 · May 15, 2003, 07:19 PM

PreacherPreacher,

If you don t have a rca jack outside but have a Coleman (don t know about other models) you already have the 12 volts available at the tongue of the trailer. The 2-pin connector, (into which the battery connects), supplies 12-volts when you are plugged into 120vac. Our dealer gave me a (maybe 10-12 foot) cord which plugs into the connector and I added a cigarette lighter female (from Radio Shack) to the other end. Do the same and you can just hook it up whenever you need it. I wouldn t suggest drilling into the sides of the trailer as you don t know what wiring is behind the thin aluminum panels. One damaged wire = big $$$$.

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