Adding 12V socket outlet

T

trailertrawlerkismet

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 23, 2011
Messages
2,519
Fluid Motion Model
C-24 C
Vessel Name
(2022) Kismet
I’m wanting to add a 12V socket outlet (cigarette outlet style) in the cave of our R25OB. My question is this: can a 12V socket be run in tandem with another socket, like a 110 outlet is?

Jim F
 
Do you mean like to add a new socket by extending the 12v wires from an existing socket?
If so- then yes. it can be done. And if you want another layer of protection, but an inline fuse between the two.

Obviously, if using both at the same time, the fuse/breaker will feel both loads - just like a110v circuit.

Also, make sure you get the correct polarity on the new one - or any LED will have issues (and perhaps other items).

I hope that helps!

Rocky
 
It can but should be fused accordingly. If you have a 12V socket in place now and you want to parallel another 12V socket to it you must make sure you have a fuse protecting it according to the manufactures specs. Some 12 Volt socket recepticals are rated at 20 amps, 15 amp, 10 amps. I believe that the 12 V receptacles installed in Rangers and Cutwaters are protected by a 20 amp fuse. That is what was installed in my Cutwater. This means that maximum draw on that circuit is 20 amps and the receptacle and wiring are rated for 20 amp. If you install a receptacle rated at 10 amps which many are. You should install a inline fuse based on the receptacle fuse rating 10 amp in line. The total circuit is still protected by the 20 amp fuse. You must also realize that if you are using the already installed receptacle rated at 20 amps and drawing 10 amps using a refrigerator/ freezer or some high amp draw devise the available power amperage capacity would be reduced to 10 amps or less because of the 20 amp circuit protection.

Yes, to your answer question. But with clarification.
 
Thanks Rocky and Brian….exactly the advice I was looking for.

Jim F
 
baz":1ckv8plg said:
Jim: I'm hoping all my 12v sockets are of the cig lighter type for my R25/OB to be delivered July 2022. Why.... because I have dual USB socket adapters that simply plug into any cig-lighter type socket.
Click to expand...

My 27 only had one socket type on the boat, the other 3 locations where the USB style. The socket was located in the quarter berth, I had two more installed. One on the dash for a 12v defroster & handheld spotlight use and another in the cockpit for a 12v air pump and the spotlight at that location too. The wire on the USB ones provided is sufficient to just swap out the body and install a socket type. Also, those USB ones have a blue light that is always on, but they are nice to have to charge phones everywhere on the boat.
 
Brian 27 OB

I have cig-lighter receptacles that plug into the cig-lighter type sockets, and have a red lighted on/off button. Very useful to just leave the receptacle inserted and being able to turn the connection power on and off at will with the lighted red button indicating power is being supplied to whatever is connected.

See
https://www.amazon.com/Ketofa-Cigarette ... 101&sr=8-2
 
Barry, the R25OB has 2 12V sockets….one in the dinette well and the other on the stateroom cabinet. This also a 2 USB ports.

Jim F
 
Could another install option be to run the wires to connect to a house battery? In this scenario an in-line spade fuse if appropriate size would be installed.

Jim F
 
trailertrawlerkismet":2kvg0jri said:
Could another install option be to run the wires to connect to a house battery? In this scenario an in-line spade fuse if appropriate size would be installed.

Jim F
Click to expand...

This can be done but IMO is not a good idea to start gremlin circuits in a boat. There are plenty of unused fuses in the fuse panels on board. Keep as few of battery connections as possible and use the fuse panel as your accessory source. This may take longer but maintains cleaner professional installs on board the boat for you and future owners.
 
trailertrawlerkismet":252zws82 said:
Barry, the R25OB has 2 12V sockets….one in the dinette well and the other on the stateroom cabinet. This also a 2 USB ports.

Jim F
Click to expand...

The best 12v receptacles should all be female socket types IMO. It so easy to simply pop a dual USB unit into the open sockets for USB connections, and leaves the female socket available for the cig-lighter type male plugs.

For my 2023 R25/OB build I will be insisting RT install the female socket types, so I can use the cig-lighter or dual-USB type male plugs.

Dual USB plug
https://www.amazon.com/Anker-Charge...f4c001&pd_rd_wg=po869&pd_rd_i=B07PGT7LSR&th=1
 
In conclusion I wanted to post what I ended up with on my 12V socket install on our R25OB. In the cave against the rear electric panel I dropped the overhead panel to expose the area for running wires and to find the best spot to drill a hole for the socket. To the left of the cave entrance there is a removable panel I took off to expose the 24/7 fuse holder. There was an unused connector that I ran a 10 gauge wire from, to the back of the positive side of the socket, which I installed below the cone shaped cave light. I then ran another 10 gauge wire from the negative side of the socket, thru the bulkhead and into the port cockpit locker. Here I attached the negative wire to the ground buss. Installed a20 amp fuse and I’m good to go.

Jim F
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

  • Tugnuts.com is the community hub for Ranger Tug, Cutwater, and Solara owners. Since its inception in 2008, the Tugnuts forum has grown into an active and thriving community of more than 9,000 members. It serves as both a meeting place for the best boating community online, and an invaluable archive of information.

  • User menu
Back
Top