I have a few electronics I would like to power while on the move. All low power such as iPad, laptop.I don't have any inverter in my trailer so no 110v. I see two options here:- Get an inverter. I think that would be expensive and I really just need a little power.How expensive and involved is the installation of an inverter? Would it work with a single group 4 battery if I only use it while towing and getting power from the truck?- Find some way to plug in a car 12v inverter and use that just like I do in the car.Thing is I have no idea where I would plug that thing. How do you run new circuits from the panel or is there a simpler way? I am thinking I just piggy back on the lights or antenna circuits if the breaker/fuse will hold it?

Another option is to get a power pack... it has a rechargeble battery and an inverter. Something like this....http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/NTESearch?storeId=6970&ipp=24&Ntt=batteryThis does a lot more than you need there are less expensive versions that are just power packs. Walmart, Sears, Amazon have many to choose from.

Doesn't your TT have a 12V plug? That is usually a round thing with a rubber cap. If yes, you can use a small inverter (mine is a Duracell 100W with a fan and an on/off switch) and plug it into the 12V receptacle. Or, you can get a car charger and plug it into that receptacle; I use a Belkin with two usb slots, one for iPod and one for iPad.The powerpack idea is good, too.

Apple needs sine wave power only.Consider a 150w GoPower sine wave inverter. You can mount it behind the breaker/fuse panel. Splice into the main battery feed for 12v power. Use a $59 Prowatt transfer switch to connect power to a single circuit. Just make connections, no pulling wire. GoPower has a provision for a remote on/off switch.Inverter, switch, wire, provisions s/b about $250/$300 self install. Well worth it.

Did not remember but i do have a booster power pack. Mine only does USB and 12v with battery clamps; no 110v inverter. I can definitely use that for the ipad.I'd still like to get 110v for the laptop and possibly other things while boondocking. I already have a spare 12v car inverter that works with the laptop.I don't think I have a 12v port in the trailer or it's very well hidden.I guess the cheapest and most convenient for me would be to install that 12v port and use what I already have as far as inverters go since I already know it works.Now where to tap that 12v? Will I find an easy space to start wires from behind the main panel? Should I instead tap into a light or antenna where it is already behind a fuse? Or maybe get some cables straight from the battery?

Cigarette conn.use it in car and MH to charge iPone and iPad.You can also get a USB that fits in a Cig. Conn.

How to use 110v while being towed? Or get easy 12v port?

Redsky
Explorer
Jun 26, 2014
The price of the inverter is relative to the power in Watts that it provides. Your laptop probably uses 60 Watts at 120 volts AC so look for an inverter with that capacity. You can buy a 300 Watt inverter on Amazon for $27 which is not going to break the bank.

Read the reviews and watch out for ones with a fan as they can be very noisy. The better ones have a metal housing to dissipate the heat produced.
oldchief7155
Explorer
Jun 25, 2014
Look by your tv antenna booster switch in the trailer. Many have a 12 volt receptacle there and I bet there's one in the bedroom somewhere.
APT
Explorer
Jun 25, 2014
Edit double post
APT
Explorer
Jun 25, 2014
All of the electronics you mention are DC based. So you want to take the DC power from your truck or TT batteries, convert to 115V AC just so you can convert back to 5V (or maybe 19V for laptop) DC? Well just get this inverter and use the USB for phones/tables and the double converter method for laptop.

There are plenty of 2.1A 12V to 5V based adapters. Something like this should work. There are also DC-DC converts for laptops which are more efficient than DC-AC-DC. They just cost more than an inverter.

Depending on how many devices you want, a portable battery backup may be best. This one should charge the phones 4+ times or tablet at least once. And larger capacity options for laptops too.
Fastfwd75
Explorer
Jun 25, 2014
hedge wrote:

Interesting, I only have the basic sync system without nav on my trucks since 2009 and never had a problem charging iphones (3G, 4S, 5). I can see how it may not charge an ipad very fast as they pull 2 amps if they can get it.

I just recently added a bunch of 12v plugs and usb plugs inside my truck camper. It doesn't directly help you but may be another option.

USB and 12V plugs

Only basic Sync here too. Maybe they changed the parts between 2011 and 2012. Mine will charge with the screen on and listening to music on bluetooth. It will not charge when also using navigation; this seems to be the point where it draws more than 0.9amps. Apple charger does fine with everything on and drawing amps.

Thanks for the link. Gives me an idea if what I have to do to get that 12v plug inside the trailer.
ChooChooMan74
Explorer
Jun 25, 2014
I would get 12v chargers for what you need to charge. Much more efficient than using an inverter.
hedge
Explorer
Jun 25, 2014
Fastfwd75 wrote:
hedge wrote:
You have a USB plug in the dash, use that to power the ipad.

In the back of the console you have a built in 150w inverter, use that for the laptop.

2 problems with that.
- The Sync USB plug is standard USB and limited to 0.5-0.9 amp. The apple stuff does some electronic handshaking and will draw almost 2 amp. My phone actually discharges when using navigation while plugged into the sync USB.
- I have the 6 seats so no 150w built-in inverter. I added an inverter anyway so 120v in the truck is taken care of. I want things to work from the trailer too.

Interesting, I only have the basic sync system without nav on my trucks since 2009 and never had a problem charging iphones (3G, 4S, 5). I can see how it may not charge an ipad very fast as they pull 2 amps if they can get it.

I just recently added a bunch of 12v plugs and usb plugs inside my truck camper. It doesn't directly help you but may be another option.

USB and 12V plugs
n7bsn
Explorer
Jun 25, 2014
Last year I added a full sine wave inverter (Xantrax ProWatt) with remote switching and power change over relay to the rig.
Besides allowing me to use the high-rate USB chargers it allows us to plug in a small crock-pot and cook dinner as I drive down the road.

Now current (2014/2015) rigs are starting to appear with 110V outlets that have built in 3amp USB chargers.

Our 2012 rig came with what they called a "clock and universal charger". It has micro-usb, mini-usb, full-usb, and several types of "cell-phone" jacks. It runs off either 12VDC or 110VAC.
westend
Explorer
Jun 24, 2014
I've gotta' ask, why do you need devices powered in the trailer while underway? Maybe I missed something?

Adding an additional 12V circuit is easy, grab power either in an unused fuse location in the distribution panel or wire directly to battery. If installing an inverter, locate it as close to the batteries as possible. Pull AC wires from that location.
Fastfwd75
Explorer
Jun 24, 2014
Artum Snowbird wrote:
You would want to connect an inverter directly to your battery. Most TV plugs in RV's are not designed to produce much more than 80 watts and the wiring is extremely light to the plug. Far better to use a piece of No. 8 wire and hook up to an inverter of several hundred watts.

I was afraid of that. I think my limited skills would be enough to add a 12v outlet from the panel assuming I can find a way to splice from something or there is a free terminal somewhere.

Starting to run wires outside from the battery box to the inside is a completely different story. Trailer does not seem to be build with access panels to check/repair wiring.