12v plug question

Ranman68 · 07-27-2009, 05:42 AM

Hi, I know this is going to sound like a silly question, but we're new to the Trailmanor world and I know someone here will have the answer for us.
The 12 plug on the refrigerator wall(next to the phone jack) is basically just like the cigarette lighter in a vehicle, right? I've tried 3 different things in this plug and nothing seems to work despite working in our TV. It's got the on/off button and the green light comes on, but it doesn't power anything.
I've seen the replacement outlets they sell at Camping World, is it possible this outlet just went bad(despite apparently having power because the green light does come on).
Do I just need to replace this outlet, or is there some trick I'm not sure about?

**Bill** · 07-27-2009, 05:57 AM

The green light does indeed show that power is reaching the panel, but other than that it is unrelated to the 12-volt socket. The socket is always on, regardless of the little green light.

Many people (including me) have found that the 12-volt socket is very tight, and it is hard to push a plug far enough into it to make contact. My solution was to go to Radio Shack and buy one of the "outlet expanders". It is a plug, a short wire, and a plastic block with three 12-volt outlets in it. I pushed the plug far enough into beside-the-refrigerator outlet to make contact - and I have never removed it. So now I have three 12-volt outlets, for three 12-volt appliances , and they all work well.

Bill

07-27-2009, 06:12 AM

The green light and button are part of the TV antenna system. When the green light is on the TV amplifier is on and you can use the antenna. The button turns it on and off. Try a little silicon the outlet plug Bill recommended and once it is in, you can leave it in place.

07-27-2009, 07:00 AM

I too found on our recent trip that both 12 volt recepticals were very tight and I did not think I was making good contact. I pushed in harder and twisted and presto it worked.
I was powereing a small 12 volt fan for additional air circulation and I moved it between the refrigerator connector and the one on the lower bathroom wall.
I am going to take Bill's suggestion and buy the adaptor for the fridge area.

**B_and_D** · 07-27-2009, 08:12 AM

Also note that this outlet is rated for very low amps; I believe the instructions to my new Winegard TV antenna stated 7.5 amps. I've blown a fuse on our trying to use an air compressor in this outlet. It will charge our phones, run our 12V TV and the DVD player just fine.

I've also broken one of ours by trying to force in a 12V plug and then pulling it out (it broke when I pulled it out). I do like Bill does and just leave our 12V splitter in the outlet at all times.

Ranman68 · 07-27-2009, 08:48 AM

Excellent! You guys are great. I think I'll try this. Good to know it's not just me. I swear I was pushing and twisting, what I thought was pretty hard, and was afraid I was going to break something, so I stopped. I'll try this out this week in time for our camping trip this weekend(Just got back yesterday. We love the TM-only had it about 2 months-and is so much nicer that we now have the ability to camp year round. It's much too hot to tent camp in GA in the middle of the summer...especially w/the wife and 6 & 4 year old.)

07-27-2009, 09:10 AM

Yet another terrific thread. I have had the same problem...never used the 12v outlet because it was so tight I was sure it would break. Never thought about using a splitter and leaving it....thanks, you folks can figure out anything!!! Now I need you to figure out how to convince my wife that I 'need' a new $6,000 bicycle!

07-28-2009, 03:48 PM

I just got back from a 2-nighter shakedown trip with my new TM. I had no trouble with the 12-volt outlet by the reefer but the one by the converter resisted all my attempts to insert something into it. I guess the answer is just to try harder. This forum is awesome. You almost never need to ask a question because someone else already did.

07-28-2009, 06:43 PM

I’ve been having the same problem with the DC plugs having a very tight fit or not fitting at all. The outlets in the TM don’t seem to be wired or fused to carry the same amp load as the cigarette lighter in the TV so, is it possible that the DC power receptacles are made smaller to take a smaller size plug that restricts plugging in something that could draw to much power. Think I’ll stop by the Radio Shack next time I’m in town and see if they have an answer.

07-28-2009, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Digger

I’ve been having the same problem with the DC plugs having a very tight fit or not fitting at all. The outlets in the TM don’t seem to be wired or fused to carry the same amp load as the cigarette lighter in the TV so, is it possible that the DC power receptacles are made smaller to take a smaller size plug that restricts plugging in something that could draw to much power. Think I’ll stop by the Radio Shack next time I’m in town and see if they have an answer.

I have several outlets in my truck. One is a cigarette lighter and the others are power outlets.

You are right, the cigarette lighter has a much bigger wire and a much bigger fuse on in when compared to the power outlets.

I suspect the TM uses power outlets, not cigarette lighters. Do not confuse the two.