Why 12 volt Exterior Outlets?

[marant]

Other than to be able to charge devices outside, what other uses have you found for a 12 volt outlet on the exterior of your Escape?

[cpaharley2008]

I just plug in a 120v to 12v adapter and go from there.....

[Vermilye]

A 12V air compressor for tires, a 12V fan to chase the bugs away, combine with a 12V powered USB device to charge phones or other electronics while you use them sitting outside.

[marant]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

I just plug in a 120v to 12v adapter and go from there.....

I like this approach, particularly when it costs less than ETI charges for an exterior 12v outlet ($66) and one exterior AC outlet is standard.

Has another benefit in that the DC power can be anywhere you need it with just an AC extension cord.

[gbaglo]

Get a DC extension cord and run it out the door or window.

[Bill_75]

Ditto the compressor usage reply. Handy for winterizing.

[alanmalk]

I use a 12 volt water pump to move drinking water out of the jugs and into the trailer tank. Lifting 6 to 7 gallons by hand isn't in the cards for me anymore.

[John in Santa Cruz]

I installed a 40A marine 'trolling motor' outlet on mine, and can plug in a wide range of stuff via powerpoles.




my tire inflator has a powerpole on its cord since the cable w/ battery clips couldn't reach the trailer axles from the truck batteries.

my 'boom box' music festival stereo has powerpole and an internal 12V20AH battery

my 100W folding solar panel has powerpole on its cord

my powerpole travel kit...

[Ron in BC]

Not a decision that has to be made at the time of selecting options. Amazon has both types, cigarette type and 2 USB outlets, Very inexpensive and vary easy to install.

Use the trailer for a bit and see if you find a need for one and where it'd be most useful.

Ron

[John in Santa Cruz]

most of the amazon panel mount stuff is NOT waterproof.

I put this indoors a few years ago, its been quite handy

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by gbaglo

Get a DC extension cord and run it out the door or window.

That can work, but for high-current appliances the extra cord length and extra "lighter socket" connection can add too much resistance.

[gbaglo]

Originally Posted by Brian B-P

That can work, but for high-current appliances the extra cord length and extra "lighter socket" connection can add too much resistance.

I haven't had an issue. I mostly run a 12V air compressor to top up the tires. Have also run a 12V fan.
Extension cord cost about $10.

[Ian and Sue]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

I just plug in a 120v to 12v adapter and go from there.....

Only works if you have 120 v available. Most of the time we don't have hook ups. We do charge phones and run a fan on the outside outlet.

[Mark James]

Originally Posted by marant

Other than to be able to charge devices outside, what other uses have you found for a 12 volt outlet on the exterior of your Escape?

Just finished a long trip in Arizona and California. Wish we had a second electrical plug outside. Warm weather. Used it to plug in a small freezer, ice maker and to charge our electric bike battery.

[cpaharley2008]

Freezer, ice maker and bike charger? Are we camping yet?.....

[Perry Butler]

Originally Posted by gbaglo

Get a DC extension cord and run it out the door or window.

We ordered a 12v/USB outlet outside so we didn’t have to run a cord through the door for one of us to trip over or have another item to store. Use it for the air compressor all the time to pump up the tires or blow the water lines when winterizing. It also has two USB ports that I use if I forgot to charge my computer and want to sit outside. We’d get that option again.

Enjoy,

Perry

[DanandDaphne]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

I just plug in a 120v to 12v adapter and go from there.....

That works if you are plugged in or have the inverter but it is much less efficient for a small load to have to run the inverter.

We like it and would do it again,

[John in Santa Cruz]

Originally Posted by Mark James

Just finished a long trip in Arizona and California. Wish we had a second electrical plug outside. Warm weather. Used it to plug in a small freezer, ice maker and to charge our electric bike battery.

where did you find a 12V icemaker? I have a small 120V one thats nominally rated at 300 watts, actually draws 100W when its running the cooling cycle, but wouldn't work on a 400W or even a 600W inverter for some reason. works fine on my new 2000W inverter, but hasn't made a road trip with us yet (probably will memorial day weekend for the Strawberry Music Festival). Why? Because why not? Been going to this festival for 35+ years now, and have gotten very tired of having to haul 2-3 bags of ice a day to a chest. trailer fridge takes care of food, but ice for water, cocktails is nice.

[tractors1]

Originally Posted by John in Santa Cruz

where did you find a 12V icemaker? I have a small 120V one thats nominally rated at 300 watts, actually draws 100W when its running the cooling cycle, but wouldn't work on a 400W or even a 600W inverter for some reason. works fine on my new 2000W inverter, but hasn't made a road trip with us yet (probably will memorial day weekend for the Strawberry Music Festival). Why? Because why not? Been going to this festival for 35+ years now, and have gotten very tired of having to haul 2-3 bags of ice a day to a chest. trailer fridge takes care of food, but ice for water, cocktails is nice.

Got my tele from these guys: they've got a ton of 12V goodies: https://www.roadtrucker.com/catalog/...-kitchen-1.htm

[sofmerc]

Originally Posted by tractors1

Got my tele from these guys: they've got a ton of 12V goodies: https://www.roadtrucker.com/catalog/...-kitchen-1.htm

thats a great resource website. Thank you!