Electrical help

Converting Cargo Trailers into TTTs

Electrical help

Postby d_odom » Mon Mar 07, 2016 8:16 pm

I want to run 12v lights from a 110v system. I am not intrested in having a battery. What do I need to do this? Links please? I can not find 110v lights I like for my trailer build, and I love the rv lights just don't know how to use them. Thank you
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Re: Electrical help

Postby Padilen » Mon Mar 07, 2016 8:30 pm

A converter.
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Re: Electrical help

Postby m.colley » Mon Mar 07, 2016 8:39 pm

d_odom wrote:I want to run 12v lights from a 110v system. I am not intrested in having a battery. What do I need to do this? Links please? I can not find 110v lights I like for my trailer build, and I love the rv lights just don't know how to use them. Thank you



As Padilen said, you'll need a converter of some brand. It will take your 120V shore or generator power and convert it to 12V to run the items you want to run. While it may be a little bit of overkill the Progressive Dynamics PD4045 is liked and used by many. Its actually a 120V & 12v distribution panel and converter in one.


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Re: Electrical help

Postby hartk1213 » Tue Mar 08, 2016 12:38 am

Also another cheaper alternative to the PD4045 is converting a computer power supply to a 12v DC power supply
Here is a link in how to do that
http://m.instructables.com/id/Convert-a ... r-DC-Powe/
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Re: Electrical help

Postby Pleiades » Sat Mar 12, 2016 12:11 am

d_odom wrote:I want to run 12v lights from a 110v system. I am not intrested in having a battery. What do I need to do this? Links please? I can not find 110v lights I like for my trailer build, and I love the rv lights just don't know how to use them. Thank you


I thought about just using a jump pack and leave it plugged into one of your 120v receptacles.
Better to bring it and not need it...that whole thing.
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Re: Electrical help

Postby TheOtherSean » Sat Mar 12, 2016 5:46 pm

If the amperage of the lights is low enough, I think a cheap ($10-$20) 12 VDC power adapter, available online or in stores, could do the trick. A lot of small devices take a 12 VDC input and so there are a lot of small 120 VAC to 12 VDC adapters out there. If all you're doing is powering a few LED bulbs most of them could probably do the trick, but do the math on the current involved.
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Re: Electrical help

Postby flboy » Sat Mar 12, 2016 7:52 pm

d_odom wrote:I want to run 12v lights from a 110v system. I am not intrested in having a battery. What do I need to do this? Links please? I can not find 110v lights I like for my trailer build, and I love the rv lights just don't know how to use them. Thank you



This is what you need and if you ever decide to buy a deep cycle battery, this will keep it charged. Not sure what you want to run, but the following 12VDC 55Amp Converter is capable of ~600W.

http://www.amazon.com/Powermax-Supply-C ... +Converter

BTW... you can just use regular household fixtures for 110V lighting in your camper ( I like the fluorescent lights) .. but get someone to wire them up if you do not know what you are doing. Also, regardless whether AC or DC in your camper... make sure you have breakers (AC) and fuses (DC) to protect your wiring. If you short out... you could melt down the wiring and burn it down.

Note this particular converter has fused outputs.... but I'd still recommend fusing individual circuits at a lower amperage to protect wiring.
Don (Flboy)

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https://youtu.be/6_-8cVdWUIA
YouTube Video of 7*18 with 2ft V-nose Trailer:
https://youtu.be/MUcMM86LA2g
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Re: Electrical help

Postby MtnDon » Sat Mar 12, 2016 10:50 pm

IF you are certain that the only 12 VDC items you will be using are a few 12 VDC LED lights, or other low wattage device, a power supply such as thisor thiscould work. They come in various amperage outputs.
Our 6x12 deep vee nose cargo trailer camper conversion... viewtopic.php?f=42&t=58336

We have a small off grid cabin we built ourselves in the NM mountains; small PV solar system; 624 watts PV, Outback CC & inverter/charger ... http://countryplans.com/smf/index.php?topic=2335.0
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Re: Electrical help

Postby Graniterich » Sat Mar 12, 2016 11:02 pm

MtnDon is right on, with all my lights on I can pull two amps max. Add your fan(if you have) and any outlets /loads. I have no fan, and rarely pull three amps. I have no large loads.
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Re: Electrical help

Postby Jrst67 » Fri Apr 15, 2016 10:28 am

Does the standard rv power center condition the 120v incoming line or is it just a mini breaker panel? I know it does 12 v too, I'm just concerned with the ac side

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Re: Electrical help

Postby EZDog » Fri Apr 15, 2016 11:46 am

Jrst67 wrote:Does the standard rv power center condition the 120v incoming line or is it just a mini breaker panel? I know it does 12 v too, I'm just concerned with the ac side

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No I have never seen one that does in any way.
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Re: Electrical help

Postby CoventryKid » Fri Apr 15, 2016 8:05 pm

To answer your question the beginning of your post, I used LED puck lights similar to these:

https://www.homedepot.ca/en/home/p.kit-of-3-led-plastic-pucks.1000826813.html

They plug into 110v, but puck lights are actually 12v. It's essentially "plug and play". I used speaker wire and crimp-on connectors to extend runs where needed.

Hope this helps.
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Re: Electrical help

Postby wtcreaux » Sun Apr 17, 2016 12:33 pm

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Re: Electrical help

Postby Rainier70 » Sun Apr 17, 2016 9:56 pm

I use a bunch of these. http://www.harborfreight.com/27-led-por ... 62532.html


I even use two or more for extra backup lights stuck to the back or sides of the CT. :)
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