Like 3Butchers said, its a 12 volt DC power port just like in your car for electronics that operate on 12 volts DC. It is intended to be used when there is no 120 volt shore power available. If your electronics have a standard 120 volt cord you should plug them into a wall receptacle when on utility plug power (120 volt)...however, in the event that you are dry camping and still want to use your 120 volt electronics, you might be able to if (like some already stated) you have an inverter. But take caution here...your RV will have a fuse that protects the wires running to that 12 volt socket, sized according to how much amperage the wires can safely supply without getting too hot and melting the insulation. You should never install a bigger fuse if it keeps burning out because that means the amp draw is too high. An inverter will operate fine as long as it can draw the needed amps to produce the wattage you need to run your electronics. Check the fuse...if it is 5 amps; 12 volts x 5 amps = 60 watts. If the inverter CAN go higher in wattage output, it is usually OK if the electronics aren't going to draw that much while operating. Mine has a 10 amp fuse so I could run up to 120 watts on a AC invereter but keep in mind, this only equates to approx. 1 amp in AC current...not much...so don't bother plugging in a vacuum or even some laptops. But not all is lost if you do...the fuse may blow to protect the wires or the inverter may have built in protection that senses when there is severe voltage drop and/or when current draw is too high.
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Bart and Tina
2001 Chevy 2500HD 6.0 Silverado 4x4-Banks Power
1997 Jayco Eagle 5er 285BHS-flipped axles
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