I want to add some 12 volt outlets in the back seat area for kids to play games, watch videos or whatever as we take long trips. Will I need relay for this to handle the load and to make it come on only when the truck is running?

I would add a dedicated circuit for the plug(s). Pull power directly from battery (fused). Add small $5 relay from parts store to supply power to plugs, and that is triggered by any keyed power source (the wipers, power windows, heater controls, ect) that is easily accessible at the interior fuse panel.

ugh wrote:I want to add some 12 volt outlets in the back seat area for kids to play games, watch videos or whatever as we take long trips. Will I need relay for this to handle the load and to make it come on only when the truck is running?Really depends on the load of all that they will be running.Just powering a small portable DVD player, or charging a tablet or a PSP/DS is not likely to need that much juice, and you can probably just split off the existing power outlet.However if you are talking larger TV/DVD, or just about anything on an inverter, laptop chargers, or other high power devices, a new (appropriately wired and fused) circuit with a relay to turn it off and on with the ignition would probably be best setup.

My new truck has a 12volt outlet under the back seat.. I purchased a splitter from the local Radio Shack , plugged it in the outlet and ran the 2 ports to each side of the trucks seat... No problems so far... They are only using them to charge IPads.. and cell phones..The ONE thing I DID NOT NEED was my 2 kids fighting over the charging outlet during a long ride.... :)

The problem is the cheap 12VDC sockets you find at loacl auto parts stores are not very good design. You might want to look at the high quality marine style 12VDC sockets and matching plugs. Also the USB PORTS are almost required for most of the kids stuff... You need to have a few of those in their area as well...Check out BLUE SEA Marine quality 12VDC products. You might even may want to install a small 8-position 12VDC BLUE SEA fused sub panel. I do this for my ham radio type devices... This is fed by a large cable from the truck battery area and then you can add several smaller fused circuits from there for the various thing you want 12VDC power for. All of this is available from BLUE SEA and when you find what you want always type the BLUE SEA PART number into AMAZON and purchase from them. Yo will get two day delivery and sometimes a discount if you are a big AMAZON user... Roy Ken

Adding more 12 volt outlet | Good Sam Community

13 Replies

ryanw821
Explorer
May 04, 2015
ugh wrote:
I want to add some 12 volt outlets in the back seat area for kids to play games, watch videos or whatever as we take long trips. Will I need relay for this to handle the load and to make it come on only when the truck is running?

Really depends on the load of all that they will be running.

Just powering a small portable DVD player, or charging a tablet or a PSP/DS is not likely to need that much juice, and you can probably just split off the existing power outlet.

However if you are talking larger TV/DVD, or just about anything on an inverter, laptop chargers, or other high power devices, a new (appropriately wired and fused) circuit with a relay to turn it off and on with the ignition would probably be best setup.
ugh
Explorer
May 04, 2015
Perfect. Thanks
boogie_4wheel
Explorer
May 04, 2015
I would add a dedicated circuit for the plug(s). Pull power directly from battery (fused). Add small $5 relay from parts store to supply power to plugs, and that is triggered by any keyed power source (the wipers, power windows, heater controls, ect) that is easily accessible at the interior fuse panel.

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Adding more 12 volt outlet

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