What was Airstream thinking?

Bobbo wrote:
Just because Airstream didn't think the 2017 Flying Cloud 23FB needed 12v outlets doesn't mean I think it doesn't need them! (I leave it laying at the bottom, back of the wardrobe till I need it.)



The 12v outlets came with a 15 amp inline fuse on 18g wire. I cut off the inline fuse since I wired it to an empty slot on the 12v distribution board with a 15 amp fuse. I cut the 18g wire as short as I could and butt connected it to 12g wire (seems like that is all Airstream used, the wide spot in the wire right in front of the shelf are the 2 butt connectors, staggered so they are not too wide). Like I said, I ran the hot wire to an empty slot on the 12v board, and ran the ground wire to the ground wire buss in the 120v side of the breaker panel (be sure NOT to use the neutral buss). The 120v ground buss is connected to the 12v ground. The wardrobe that it lives in is only about 2 feet from the breaker panel/fuse box and on the same side of the trailer.

Pretty much a total waste of time and materials.

I would have simply downgraded the fuse to meet the 18ga wire fusing requirements.. 7.5A would have been the correct fuse size..

Those outlets are merely put in as a CONVENIENCE to allow SMALL LOW CURRENT 12V devices to be plugged in.

Things like small 12V TVs(12"-15" and under 4A draw), portable radios, chargers for cell phone, laptops, tablets..

Was not designed for high current draws for things light 1200W inverters, 50" plasma TVs and full on concert level sound systems..

The 12V cig outlet you typically find can only handle a max of 8A (EIGHT AMPS) at 12V which comes out to a whopping 96W..

If you NEED higher current draw then I would suggest looking at marine 12V outlets, I believe they can be found with up to 15A current ratings but you would also need to make sure the PLUG you use is also rated for that draw..