Visit our Popular Forums

M&M CAPECOD · 07-08-2005, 07:36 AM

I have a couple of 12 volt plugs in the back bedroom along with cable hook-ups. Both of the cable plugs work. The 12 volt by the windows works fine but the one on the bedside table doesn't. Does anyone have any suggestions on what I should do. I'd like to plug our voltage meter or cell phone charger into it because the other one is hidden behind drapes and is not as convenient.

I don't know that much about electrical stuff so any simplified instructions would be helpful.

Thanks in advance.

Chuck · 07-08-2005, 08:17 AM

are you coming next weekend? If you don't figure it out beforehand, we can figure it out there....

do the simple stuff first. check the fuses.

if that doesn't do it, the receptical can be easily removed. do that, and look for loose connections. check for voltage at the wires.

M&M CAPECOD · 07-08-2005, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuck

are you coming next weekend? If you don't figure it out beforehand, we can figure it out there....

do the simple stuff first. check the fuses.

if that doesn't do it, the receptical can be easily removed. do that, and look for loose connections. check for voltage at the wires.

Hey Chuck,
Yes, we'll be there next weekend. One quick ? How do I check the fuses? Is it in front the the 12v distribution panel? Do I just push on them to reset? I told you I was electrically inept. In any event if I can't figure it out we'll see you next weekend.
Mary

Chuck · 07-08-2005, 08:42 AM

well, I'm not familiar w/ what is in the new units, whether fuses or circuit breakers, or their locations, etc. But your owner's manual should tell you, if nothing else, which circuit each electrical fixture is on. Find out what circuit that outlet is on, and if there's anything else also on the same one....if something else is on the same circuit, does it work? if so, then it ain't the fuse.

if you can determine that it isn't the fuse, I would say that the next step is to pull the outlet out, and look for loose connections, and test for voltage on the wires to which it connects.

Mookie · 07-08-2005, 01:37 PM

I know there are a few years that separate our coaches but I had the same problem. I unscrewed the 12 volt outlet from the wall and there is a blade style fuse on the back of the outlet - it was blown. It's possible that your fix is a simple replacement of that fuse.

Good luck.

-Mark

M&M CAPECOD · 07-08-2005, 02:25 PM

Hey Mookie,
Thanks for the suggestion, I unscrewed the outlet plate (which is a combo cable and 12volt outlet) and the only thing hooked up was the cable. The small white wire was attached to nothing and the black wire appeared to be taped to the outside of the cable wire.

I took off the other face plate to the other 12volt outlet and those wires appeared to be connected to a black plastic piece in the back of the 12volt plug, I do not have this black piece in the other plug.

What should I do? Help

Mookie · 07-08-2005, 02:40 PM

Well, based on your last post, it sounds like your combo outlet is different from mine. Assuming yours is broken (maybe the previous owner disconnected the wires?), you can purchase a replacement at Camping World or maybe try your local Radio Shack. It's safe to turn all power off to the trailer before messing with the wires.

-Mark

Chuck · 07-08-2005, 02:47 PM

there's gotta be more to this than meets the eye, here, as "plastic" doesn't conduct electricity. there has to be some metal-to-metal contact from the wire to the metal housing of the receptical.

M&M CAPECOD · 07-08-2005, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuck

there's gotta be more to this than meets the eye, here, as "plastic" doesn't conduct electricity. there has to be some metal-to-metal contact from the wire to the metal housing of the receptical.

Hey Chuck,
I'll go out and recheck the one that works to see.

O.K. I have a little more info. The working 12volt outlet has a little plastic disc with a metal center. The black wire attaches to this metal center and the white wire attaches to a metal piece that contacts the outside of the 12volt socket. The note attached to the black wire says its the positive wire.

Do you think I can go get a new 12volt plug at radio shack and install this? Maybe I should plan to bring it up to N.H.? I wonder why this wasn't finished or the PO took it out?
M

Chuck · 07-08-2005, 03:52 PM

gosh, I don't know, without actually seeing what you've got. I was kind of under the impression that these are special "rv" type things...not likely to be found at the 'shack. a plain 12v socket? yeah, they'll have that, but I'm not sure if the one I have, for example, can be removed from the plate. Although, what I've got is a 12v socket/signal amplifier/cable splitter. If it looks like yours can be separated from the wall plate, then yeah, sure. Autopalace, Napa...even wally-world would have replacement 12v sockets.

a sure bet would be campingUSA or Marty's, down your way...or other RV supply place. I seem to remember seeing that there are quite a few down there on the south shore. (slim-picken's up this way.

).

M&M CAPECOD · 07-12-2005, 11:21 AM

I went to radio shack and picked up a 12vDC accessory outlet for $6.50 yesterday. With a little effort

we were able to get the old socket off the face plate. I enlarged the whole slightly with an exacto knife to fit the new socket. Crimped the plastic covered connectors to the trailer wires and attached them to the socket pronges. Wrapped them with electrical tape and installed the plate back on the wall. Flipped the 12volt power back on and tested the outlet with my voltmeter, 13.9v. Everything appears to be working fine. The nice thing about this accessory outlet is that it came with a rubber cover that you insert when not in use, a little added safety and it has a nice finished look when the plug is not in use. Time wise (not including the trip to Radio Shack) it took about half an hour. I'd call it a 1 rivet project. Thanks again for your imput.