12V Question

C

C-Gypsy

New member
I am considering mounting a board in C-Gypsy on which I will mount several 12V "cigarette lighter" adapters.

My cell phone, my girl's cell phone, my handheld GPS & my handheld marine radio all use "cigarette lighter" adapters to recharge.

I am wondering if anyone else has already done this, no sense re-inventing the wheel.

Any thoughts on power requirements, etc. would be greatly appreciated!

Al
 
Most 12 adapters are fused for pretty high amperage since you don't know what you might want to plug into them in the future (electric blanket, fan, 12V hair dryer etc.). You can easily fit an additional 12V adapter on the dash. I had two that were installed at the factory. If you install one or two on the port side, you'll be set. When you do install them leave enough space between them so that the locking rings don't interfere with each other otherwise you can get one tight after the first is installed (the factory guys made that mistake and I still live with it today).
 
Al-

There's a simpler solution if you're not planning on using high-amperage loads.

If you go to an automotive store, you can buy an adapter that consists of a male adaptor plug, a 6 or more foot long cord, and an outlet block with three female adaptor outlets. This allows you to multiply your outlet supply w/o permanently altering your wiring.

They also make a "Y" adaptor, where one male outlet is plugged in and provides two female outlets.

Both types usually come with a fuse incorporated into the male plug.

I like to use the three way type for linking together portable fans for ventilation and condensation control.

Joe.
 
I added three 12v sockets at the helm of Daydream. One is mounted vertically on the shelf where the engine control is, and the other two are mounted horizontally on the left side of the dash. I don't know how we could get along without them. The handheld GPS is plugged into one, and the other two are usually occupied with cell phones, iPod chargers, etc. I really need to add a couple in the cockpit next. I put in a fuse block next to the house batteries, but have not gotten around to adding the 12v sockets yet.
 
I have extra 12V adapters in the galley module, behind the helm seat, near
the throttle, and one under the dinette on the water tank side. I am planning
to install one in the cockpit, but I forget why!

Mike
 
We have two on the dash, one under the aft dinette one under the foreward dinette seat, and one on each side of the foreward bunk, on both the CD 25 and the TC 255. The ones in the foreward bunk are for Ipods, music amps, TV sets, extra fans thru the foreward hatch.

We make sure that each one of these is fused properly, and that the wire size is adequate.
 
Does anyone see any need to keep a plug in any of these outlets when they're not in use as a simple outlet?

I added a couple in my Sea Ray, and plugged them with a cigarette lighter/map light combination thingy to make them look more finished.

25174734.jpg


I really think the're pretty safe left unplugged, and the digarette lighter/map light is quite safe the way it's designed.

Does anyone know of any other utility style plugs like these?

Joe.
 
Hi folks,

I installed a PERKO plate that has a "cigerate lighter, three fuses, and a battery checker. I also have a plug adapter that expands the plug to two plugs. I also have a plug the inverts the current to 110 Volts, though I have never used it.

I plug in my mounted handheld magellan, a 1,000,000 spot light, and my cell phone in the evening to charge. I have never had a problem with batteries ( I have two 12 Volt starter batteries.)

I though to put one under the stern deck, but so far, haven't needed it.

Fred
 
all of our cig lighter plugs have a cap which fits into the barrel. I forgot to mention we have a cigartte lighter plug in the cockpit--for inflating the dinghy, for a spotlight, for a night light under the bimini, and other similar uses. The cockpit unit is protected from spray.
 
Al,

Confessions of a 12 Volt-o-holic:

I have 17 marine grade 12 V outlets on my TomCat. I think only two of those came with the boat. While the low amp charging features you are seeking should require very little current, and could thusly be put on a multi-outlet, I thought I'd share another way of doing it.

I don't have much love for inverters - those things that make 120 V out of 12 V. You lose 10-15% efficiency, they are heavy, expensive, take up space, and get really hot. You can plug in a cheap inverter into a well-wired 12 V outlet easily.

I had a separate 12V board put in to handle most of the extras. Some were added to empty slots on the nearest circuit breaker/fuse panel. All have the rubber snap-on caps.

I have two double plugs on the aft wall of the cockpit coaming pockets.

I have a double plug on the aft steering station.

I have a double plug behind the aft dinette seat and forward of the foreward dinette seat.

I have a double plug in the forward bunk area, two double plugs at the helm, one double plug in front of the sink cabinet


While this may seem excessive, consider all the things you can use them for: Coffee maker, small oven, hair dryer, radio, backkup gps, cell phones, rechargeable lights, fans, TV, radio, air cleaner, inflator, deflator, compressor (for trailer tires - and , yes, I've needed to do that twice already) iPods, Nuvis (audio books), electric knives, defrosters, hot coffee cups, and many many more.

go for it!

John
 
drjohn-

Could I interest you in a slightly used 12-volt Polonium powered direct nuclear to electric powerpack left over from a scuttled NASA deep space mission?

The price is right and it has enough unshielded radiation that you won't need your microwave anymore! Works great as a night-light too!

Better be careful at any C-Brat Get-Togethers you attend, I'll bet everyone in the raft-up will have a 12-volt extension cord coming your way!

Joe. :teeth
 
Since I only have a stretched 16, I do not need as many adapters as you guys. I have the one installed by the factory on the left side of the dash and four additional ones installed by me. One under the engine control, one on each side of the deck on the rear of the seat boxes and one under the engine well. All fuses have been replaced with circuit breakers and the cabin outlets can be turned off with a switch and another switch turns the deck outlets off.
________
Dave dlt.gif
 
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