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exgman1's avatar
exgman1
Explorer
Oct 10, 2013

12 Volt Receptacle on TT

Good evening, I'm brand-new to this forum and appreciate your patience until I learn the rules. I'd like to install a 12 volt/cigarette lighter-type receptacle on the rear of my TT. From time to time I need a 12 volt work light, etc., at the rear of the trailer. It's a 2009, 29' aluminum Jayco G2 Jay Flight Series (all season) trailer. Any and all suggestions, positive and/or negative will be appreciated. Thank you.
  • Where's your converter and fuse panel located?

    I might be easier, or at least a shorter, to run power from the fuse panel.
  • Thank you all for your suggestions! They all sound like what I had hoped to hear. I will post, within the next few weeks, the results of my efforts per your suggestions. Again, I really appreciate all of your responses. I wish for you all a healthy and happy upcoming week-end.
  • I would use 8 or 10ga wire and a 25 amp fuse. The suggestion above to use a rearward compartment to keep it out of the weather is a really good idea. If that is not possible I would mount behind the bumper (between bumper and TT rear end) to give it as much protection as possible for stuff hitting it. If you have a rearward compartment to mount it you can still run the wire under the trailer (easy) and then just drill a small hole in the floor to run the wire up into the compartment. Seal the hole with either expanding foam spray or semi-flexible Dicor.
  • If you have a compartment near the rear you could put one in there so it would be out of the weather.
  • Most cigarette type lighters are rated for about 10 amps, 15 amps may work depending on what you buy. Use at least #14 wire, but #12 would be better.

    How you mount it would depend on your TT.
  • I've added 4 12 volt receptacles.

    1 in bedroom to charge phones.
    2 in living area, one to feed 150 watt sine wave inverter, one to feed 12 volts for our home phone.
    1 in one of the storage compartments.

    3 are wired to spare fuses in the distribution panel with a pair of #14 wire each: + to fuse - to common block. The one that is used for the inverter is wired (through an inline fuse) directly to the battery with pair of #10 wire + to battery, - to common negative block in battery compartment.

    Very simple to do.

    Regards,
    Doug
  • hmknightnc, Thank you very much for the info. What is your suggestion as to where and how I would mount the receptacle to the trailer? You mentioned a convenient place but I'm clueless as to where. The bumper, drill through the trailer skin, etc.??, I'm baffled at my own ignorance. Also what gauge wire would you suggest that I use since it will be at least 29' to the battery? Before I became a senior citizen many years ago, I think that I could have figured it out. I'm embarrassed. Have a good evening and thank you.
  • Go to a marine supply shop and get a marine rated 12volt power point. Run a positve line from your battery under the trailer to the rear. Attach power point to convienent place. Hook up positive line. Hook negative to frame of trailer. Make sure you use good marine rated components and sealant since it is exposed to the elements. Fuse the hot line a couple inches from battery.
  • Peg Leg, Primarily on the outside. I should have been more specific. Plus, at night, if disabled, I could plug in a 12 volt strobe type light as an additional source of recognition/warning from oncoming traffic.

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