Bunk fan outlet amp rating

cdevidal wrote:
The expected load could be as much as 4.3A.

I would not personally chance using a 1/4" phone jack for that kind of amperage.

The brand I linked to in a previous post was for Switchcraft which is one of the BETTER names in connectors and it was only rated for 1A..

I would bet the one in your bunk is a cheaper built version..

Your circuit most likely will not be a problem, many RVs will typically wire for 7A-15A on the lighting circuits..

The problem is the 1/4" jacks..

If you really WANT to use the lighting circuit I would suggest seeking a BETTER jack than a 1/4" phone jack..

Would hate to see you have a meltdown/fire as a result of using a poorly designed connector..

The expected load could be as much as 4.3A.

SoundGuy wrote:
Perhaps if you'd care to share the reason why others could suggest whether your intended use seems reasonable.

Exactly.
Even as thin as 18 gauge would support up to 14A before melting down.

D.E.Bishop wrote:
Don't believe that the wire in an RV circuit is the same from the fuse to the last load. And size has no bearing on intended use. For example my bathroom exhaust fan draws 1.6 amps and has 12 awg supply wires elsewhere the is 16 to a light fixture. RoyB has an easy solution to finding out the circuit fuse size.

I have reservations about RoyB's solution for the wire size may not be 100% of the rating on the fuse. For example the fuse may say 15A but it services three seperate outlets through the camper, each of which have their own wires, each of which may only be rated to 4A each.

cdevidal wrote:
I have a hybrid with those 1/4" mono-style bunk fan outlets (like this) and I want to know the amp rating of those. Anyone know?

Perhaps if you'd care to share the reason why others could suggest whether your intended use seems reasonable. Personally, I much prefer 1/4" TS plugs and jacks for light duty 12 vdc distribution over the typical cigarette lighter style which pull apart far too easily so I installed a Switchcraft #280 1/4" TS plug on my Endless Breeze 12 vdc fan which on high is rated to pull ~ 3 amps. I also installed a Switchcraft #11 jack on one of the overhead light fixtures as a convenient source of 12 vdc power for the fan, as well as adding a few other 12 vdc distribution points in the area behind the television which I also run directly from 12 vdc.



A few years ago I did the same with our previous KZ Spree, adding a 1/4" jack in the overhead light above the dinette table so I could then power a table lamp with a 12 vdc bulb in it, or my aforementioned Endless Breeze fan.



FWIW, Switchcraft offers high current versions of these same 1/4" plugs and jacks which are rated to 11 amps but you'd want to ensure the gauge of the wire feeding them is similarly rated, which is only practical in a case where you're building an entire cable assembly. In a case such as yours where you simply want to plug into an existing 1/4" jack in your trailer I'd suggest you restrict the load to much less since you have no way of knowing the length or gauge of wire used in the construction of your trailer.

Don't believe that the wire in an RV circuit is the same from the fuse to the last load. And size has no bearing on intended use. For example my bathroom exhaust fan draws 1.6 amps and has 12 awg supply wires elsewhere the is 16 to a light fixture. RoyB has an easy solution to finding out the circuit fuse size.

I can't tell you for sure, but no issues with a Y adapter and runnjng a 12" 12VDC fan and the bunk light/fan at the same time.

pianotuna wrote:
What size is the wire?

It's in the wall so I dunno but I could get my calipers next time I visit and take a jack out. I don't know that it's the same size wire the entire circuit tho.

Anyone have this written in your manuals? Mine is too generic.

Dutch is right. Actual numbers have between hard to come by but I thought I saw 4 amps somewhere. I wish I could contact the company but that division shut down years ago.

The usual appliance is a fan/light combo at 1.3A so I know that is the minimum. Hoping to get more than that tho.

Gdetrailer wrote:


Personally I have a severe dislike to using this type of jack for ANY NON CURRENT LIMITED VOLTAGE APPLICATIONS such as this.

It was NEVER, EVER INTENDED TO SUPPLY POWER.. The use of this type of jack to supply power has some potential pitfalls..

The main pitfall is when the plug is inserted into the jack there is a point where both connections (ground and hot) can connect and create a temporary short..

This type of jack was designed for HEADPHONE or low voltage AUDIO purposes (remember the old Telco "switch boards" which used this type of connector)..

In this application, there is no point where the hot tip contact and the grounded shell contact of the surface mount fixture can short together. The tip and shell of the plug may short together as they pass through the shell contact, but since the connected load is not powered at that point, no harm is done.