Outside 12v outlet

nylyon

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 21, 2009
Posts
1,127
I am thinking of adding a 12v outlet to the outside of the camper to run my Coleman electric cooler. Before I do, does anyone know if the converter can handle the constant draw?
 
We have one inside our 228 beside the stereo. I use it all the time to charge my iPod and Bluetooth fm transmitter with no problems. The only thing you would be up against is the draw on your batteries.
 
The only thing you would be up against is the draw on your batteries.

Not quite. All of the 12 volt items in the trailer draw from the converter when you are plugged into shore power. Lights, fans, water pump, furnace, refrigerator, detectors, etc.
 
If you are going to put it outside why not just wire it off the battery and use an inline fuse. That way you would bypass the converter.
 
How about something like this?
 

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Do you camp at campgrounds with power or do you boondock? If you camp with power then the 110 converter would be the way to go.
 
I would echo what Clutch said and add to that... if the power pedestal has a separate 20A breaker, just run a good quality extension cord to the unit then you're not even taxing the converter.
 
If you don't have electric hookups the electric cooler would drain the battery after several hours of use.
 
I'll clarify, I am always hooked up to 110 when camping. I have a 110v to 12V converter, actually a very good one which works great, but thought if the campers converter was robust enough, I could put a 12V outlet on the battery box cover (which would be very easy to do) then just plug in the cooler, not having to do plug in anything additional. If I were boondocking, it would be a cooler with ice.

Here's the power specs:
POWER REQUIREMENTS: 9.5 to 14.4 Volts DC, 4 Amperes @ 12 Volts DC Nominal.
 
How much current does the Coleman cooler draw? Does the AC adapter you show support that much current?

The adapter is definitely the way to go if you always have shore power. However, if the cooler draws less than 6 amps it should be no problem for your converter.
 
It pulls 4 amps. Using an external powersupply is not a problem, I am just looking for less to do when setting up, and it would be great to unplug the cooler from the truck, and just plug it into the camper in one shot.
 
It sounds like you would prefer to use the 12V instead of the adapter. At a 4 amp draw you will have no problem letting the converter power it. Whether you add a 12V outlet wired to the converter or at the battery. Go for it. It will be just fine.
 
I fully understand. I would install an inline fuse at the battery and run a heavy gauge wire under the trailer belly to your desired location. Make sure to use a marine grade 12V outlet. I have thought about doing the samething.
 
That's half the reason, it's a 5th wheel and the battery is EXACTLY where I keep the cooler, on the side of the camper right next to the entrance door. All I would need to do is poke a hole in the battery compartment door, install the receptacle and hook it up to the battery directly (with fuse of course). I put a receptacle in the bed of the truck so when we're traveling the cooler keeps running and that's worked out great. So I thought how convenient would it be to just move the cooler and plug it right in.

I think that I'll wire in a temporary receptacle to try it out. Sounds like the converter won't have an issue which was my main concern anyway.
 

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