I'm wanting to add plenty of 12V jacks in my camper to power various electronics. I already have some 5V USB ports for direct charging of phones, tablets, game systems, etc. And of course I have a couple multi-outlet cigarette style ports as well.I don't want to go with any more cigarette style jacks for a couple reasons. Namely that they're huge, and they often don't stay plugged in very well. They also cannot be used very conveniently inline, which is something I'll need to do with several 12V devices with proprietary plugs (I'll provide more info about what I'm doing if anyone is curious).My question for you experienced RVers is, is there any kind of standard 12V plug out there used as a common alternative for cigarette style plugs? I know there are tons of 12V connectors out there (like the various sized small barrel connectors), and I could simply pick one arbitrarily, but I wanted to go with something standard / common if it exists. It also has to have both inline female / male versions available, in addition to the surface mount jack.Thanks!

for marine use I bought some Minn Kota 30 amp polarized trolling motor connectors. somebody here pointed out a place that sold a flush mount socket that takes them. I bought a set of adapters/fittings at Harbor freight for "generator" use that also plug into them.bumpy

Thanks Bumpyroad. I should've mentioned I'm looking for small, inexpensive, low-amperage connectors. 5 amp capacity would be plenty.

I've sunk the FEMALE half into enclosures and connected with the accessory MALE half. I can just about guarantee these critters do not "fall out" or "loosen up"http://www.delcity.net/store/Weather-Pack-Sealed-Connectors-&-Components/p_797635.h_797637.t_1

I added a small 300w sine wave inverter and just plug the little stuff in anywhere just like at home.

Dan East wrote:I'm wanting to add plenty of 12V jacks in my camper to power various electronics. I already have some 5V USB ports for direct charging of phones, tablets, game systems, etc. And of course I have a couple multi-outlet cigarette style ports as well.I don't want to go with any more cigarette style jacks for a couple reasons. Namely that they're huge, and they often don't stay plugged in very well. They also cannot be used very conveniently inline, which is something I'll need to do with several 12V devices with proprietary plugs (I'll provide more info about what I'm doing if anyone is curious).My question for you experienced RVers is, is there any kind of standard 12V plug out there used as a common alternative for cigarette style plugs? I know there are tons of 12V connectors out there (like the various sized small barrel connectors), and I could simply pick one arbitrarily, but I wanted to go with something standard / common if it exists. It also has to have both inline female / male versions available, in addition to the surface mount jack.Thanks!For the past 15 or so years I have used the following to tap into 12V supply and then connect various items including a few that have the cig lighter socket side. You can get the lighter version good for I think 7.5A at most auto parts stores for less than a couple of bucks a set and you can even get them up to 10G for the heavy duty stuff. I used the 10ga type to make the power supply to my Viair 88P compressor more versatile. Just make sure the supply side has the female as the hot and then the load size always has the male as the hot lead and generally you can observe the red/black on the connectors, but even that is not absolutely necessary. I've even got a couple tapped into a couple of overhead lights in the trailer to power some items that are not connected 24/7.Larry

12v connectors | Good Sam Community

22 Replies

Clay_L
Explorer
Jul 25, 2013
I bought several sockets at an RV store.
Note that there are two sizes of plugs and sockets and they are not really interchangeable. You can force the larger plug into the smaller socket but it is tough to remove it.
Dan_East
Explorer
Jul 25, 2013
Trying to figure out what hoops to jump through to post a pic. I have it uploaded to my server, but it seems I have to upload it to rv.net directly.
wa8yxm
Explorer III
Jul 25, 2013
Dan East wrote:
I've been a ham for over 20 years and hadn't heard of Anderson Powerpoles. LOL.

I have read a few articles on 'em in QST, and of course ads in every edition. Many recommend we adopt them as the "Standard" connector for ham gear so that in the event of "All Else Failing" (You know who gets called in when all else fails right) we can mix and match Rigs, power supplies, cars and such as needed.
Dan_East
Explorer
Jul 25, 2013
Walmart has a 3 port cigarette adapter with a built in 5V USB port. It has a male cig plug on one end. I lopped that off and wired it in directly. It also has a blue LED in the jack box so you can see to plug into the ports at night. I went ahead and took that LED out so it wouldn't be draining my battery while boondocking (I have 2 of them in the camper).

I'll try to post a pic of it later.
Megadesertdiese
Explorer
Jul 25, 2013
where did you get the 5v USB ports at? sounds like a great idea for universal charging.
Dan_East
Explorer
Jul 25, 2013
I've been a ham for over 20 years and hadn't heard of Anderson Powerpoles. LOL. They look pretty good, although the chassis mount may not be optimal as these are really designed for inline use. I have a '71 camper I've restored, and it has nice big light fixtures all over. I plan on putting 12V ports in pretty much all of them.

Further, this premade Cigbuddy would let me easily plug my Powerpole-wired devices into any car:
http://www.powerwerx.com/powerpole-accessories/cigbuddy-cigarette-lighter-plug-powerpole-adapter.html

I had planned on making something like that myself using an inline plug, but that is much neater.
wa8yxm
Explorer III
Jul 25, 2013
Many ham radio operators are going to Anderson Power Poles.. These asexual connectors pass up to 40 amps (Depending on the model) there are power distribution panels and other devices designed to plug into 'em

The one thing I would worry about is if they are wall mounted,,, they might tend to fall out when driving.. (The strip on the floor never has that problem) though you can get devices to help them stay together.

They are crimp on (up to 10ga)

NOTE: the connectors that tow trucks use to connect the jumper cables to the truck are the same design.. Only they are the "Giant Economy Size" in many cases.

For more info on Power Poles.. google West Mountain Radio
LarryJM
Explorer II
Jul 24, 2013
Dan East wrote:
I'm wanting to add plenty of 12V jacks in my camper to power various electronics. I already have some 5V USB ports for direct charging of phones, tablets, game systems, etc. And of course I have a couple multi-outlet cigarette style ports as well.

I don't want to go with any more cigarette style jacks for a couple reasons. Namely that they're huge, and they often don't stay plugged in very well. They also cannot be used very conveniently inline, which is something I'll need to do with several 12V devices with proprietary plugs (I'll provide more info about what I'm doing if anyone is curious).

My question for you experienced RVers is, is there any kind of standard 12V plug out there used as a common alternative for cigarette style plugs? I know there are tons of 12V connectors out there (like the various sized small barrel connectors), and I could simply pick one arbitrarily, but I wanted to go with something standard / common if it exists. It also has to have both inline female / male versions available, in addition to the surface mount jack.

Thanks!

For the past 15 or so years I have used the following to tap into 12V supply and then connect various items including a few that have the cig lighter socket side.

You can get the lighter version good for I think 7.5A at most auto parts stores for less than a couple of bucks a set and you can even get them up to 10G for the heavy duty stuff. I used the 10ga type to make the power supply to my Viair 88P compressor more versatile. Just make sure the supply side has the female as the hot and then the load size always has the male as the hot lead and generally you can observe the red/black on the connectors, but even that is not absolutely necessary. I've even got a couple tapped into a couple of overhead lights in the trailer to power some items that are not connected 24/7.

Larry
time2roll
Nomad
Jul 24, 2013
I added a small 300w sine wave inverter and just plug the little stuff in anywhere just like at home.
MEXICOWANDERER
Explorer
Jul 24, 2013
I've sunk the FEMALE half into enclosures and connected with the accessory MALE half. I can just about guarantee these critters do not "fall out" or "loosen up"

http://www.delcity.net/store/Weather-Pack-Sealed-Connectors-&-Components/p_797635.h_797637.t_1

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12v connectors

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