What was Airstream thinking (NO 12v outlets)

[Bobbo]

I have a 2017 Flying Cloud 23FB. I can't believe Airstream put NOT ONE 12v outlet in this trailer.

I have a CPAP machine. We boondock a lot and running the CPAP off of an inverter wastes power. As far as I can figure, for every 3 amps the CPAP uses, there are 4 amps pulled out of my batteries. This is due to inefficiencies of the inverter changing 12v to 120v and the CPAP power cord changing the 120v BACK to 12v for the machine. My solution (with my previous RV) was to buy a 12v power cord for the CPAP machine.

There is NOWHERE to plug it in my new Airstream.

I fixed that. I bought a 12v outlet (and a 5v USB outlet also) and inset it into the plywood below the mattress on my side of the bed. I planned to pull power from the 12v light in the outside storage bin, but when I moved the mattress, I saw a pair of (black and white) wires on the far side of the bed not connected to anything at all. I got my volt/ohm meter, and they were 12v. I ran a pair of 12g (black and white) wires from those available wires under the plywood supporting the mattress (through the inverter bay and the outside storage bay) and connected them to my new outlets. I now have 12v power on my side of the bed for the CPAP, and a USB charger for my phone right beside the bed.

[Ruscal]

Bobbo,
Yes, that seems like a glaring omission. I did the same to our previous trailer. It is handy to have cigar lighter jacks and USB's by the bed, dinette, and outside curb side. I used similar outlets to yours made by Blue Sea. I had access to the converter, so ran 10 ga. copper to that.
Russ

[BigSxyWhtGuy]

Pardon my complete incompetence on this subject but I feel like 12v is a dying necessity in life similar to CD players (note that CD Players are no longer options in trailers or vehicles)

Technology continues to evolve daily and low draw units may be emerging on the market for most units. CPAP may be a one off example of need. You don’t build a church for Easter Sunday.

Just my .02 in an effort to encourage conversation not to put myself or anyone else on blast.

[nvestysly]

I agree - no 12V outlet is a problem. Yes, the 12V days may be numbered but I don't think Airstream should omit this feature particularly when it's easily provided as part of the interior antenna connection used in so many RVs.

Examples of 12V items that are still relevant in RVers lives:
- Endless Breeze box fan
- Electric razor/shaver
- Corded emergency flashlight
- Portable freezer / "ice" chest
- Battery charger for AA/AAA/C/D cells
- Portable/rechargeable vacuum

and I feel sure there are many others.

I recently attended a "new car" show and noticed many vehicles continue to have 12V power outlets in a variety of locations - center console, rear console, behind the seat in SUVs.

[TheGreatleys]

I don't think a 12v receptacle is on its way out any time soon. Yes, it may take the form of something other than the cigarette lighter style, but there is so much more to them than charging cell phones.

For instance, my wife and I both invested in car cords for our laptops so we can work without turning on the inverter. I use a HEPA filter with a car kit that plugs into 12v. My S.A.D. light therapy alarm clock plugs into 12v. Our router and cell booster both plug into 12v. Our air compressor for filling tires uses 12v. None of these things are likely to work well on a USB outlet.

12V appliances are going to be with us as long as we're storing power in a 12v battery bank. It's silly not to provide a means to use the power directly.

[BigSxyWhtGuy]

Originally Posted by TheGreatleys

I don't think a 12v receptacle is on its way out any time soon. Yes, it may take the form of something other than the cigarette lighter style, but there is so much more to them than charging cell phones.

For instance, my wife and I both invested in car cords for our laptops so we can work without turning on the inverter. I use a HEPA filter with a car kit that plugs into 12v. My S.A.D. light therapy alarm clock plugs into 12v. Our router and cell booster both plug into 12v. Our air compressor for filling tires uses 12v. None of these things are likely to work well on a USB outlet.

12V appliances are going to be with us as long as we're storing power in a 12v battery bank. It's silly not to provide a means to use the power directly.

Although my truck does have 12v plugs, this guy is much more easily accessible. My new trailer has USBs everywhere but to your point, no 12v. It sure beats having to buy an adapter to use the 12v for everything else I have in my life except that one off guy.

I haven’t missed it one bit but we are however new to this adventure. Unfortunately 12v is a dying breed.

[Bobbo]

Originally Posted by BigSxyWhtGuy

Pardon my complete incompetence on this subject but I feel like 12v is a dying necessity in life similar to CD players (note that CD Players are no longer options in trailers or vehicles)

Technology continues to evolve daily and low draw units may be emerging on the market for most units. CPAP may be a one off example of need. You don’t build a church for Easter Sunday.

Just my .02 in an effort to encourage conversation not to put myself or anyone else on blast.

Not everything is capable of being charged/run on 5v, and using an inverter to convert from 12v to 120v, only to have to convert back to 12v is extremely inefficient and wastes energy. The use of 12v may be declining some, but it is in no way dying. It is very shortsighted to have NO 12v outlets in a trailer that may be used without 120v power (boondocking). We boondock frequently and I run my CPAP, charge my electric razor and charge my laptop off of 12v. I use a generator to recharge my batteries every 2 or 3 days, but don't want to have to use it EVERY day, which would be necessary if I ran everything off of the inverter.

Originally Posted by BigSxyWhtGuy

Although my truck does have 12v plugs, this guy is much more easily accessible. My new trailer has USBs everywhere but to your point, no 12v. It sure beats having to buy an adapter to use the 12v for everything else I have in my life except that one off guy.

I am not saying they shouldn't put in USB ports. I love them. I am saying they should ALSO put in some, or at least ONE, 12v outlet too.

[Firedog1]

Picking up my new Classic next week, told dealer to install one 12V outlet in bedroom and one up front. Condition of sale. Any yes nice to use small inverter with no fan for the CPAP Machine when boondocking.

[LiLNomad]

Agreed! It was irritating to go to plug in my 12 volt fan only to find theres no 12 volt plugs in the trailer! Anywhere!! Airstream should put in both! there goes the purchase of my 12 volt crockpot!
LilNomad

[garry]

Let's see for those times we are not plugged to shore power we need.
Water pump
lights
inverter
thermostat
furnace
lots of other stuff
and !2V OUTLETS for things like my internet hot spot.

[TouringDan]

Originally Posted by TheGreatleys

12V appliances are going to be with us as long as we're storing power in a 12v battery bank. It's silly not to provide a means to use the power directly.

Shame on Airstream. What would Wally think?

I completely agree. I have installed eight 12v/usb outlets in our 66 Tradewind. One use not mentioned is the signal amplifier for the Jack antenna.

Dan

[Silverpuller]

Originally Posted by Bobbo

I have a 2017 Flying Cloud 23FB. I can't believe Airstream put NOT ONE 12v outlet in this trailer.

I have a CPAP machine. We boondock a lot and running the CPAP off of an inverter wastes power. As far as I can figure, for every 3 amps the CPAP uses, there are 4 amps pulled out of my batteries. This is due to inefficiencies of the inverter changing 12v to 120v and the CPAP power cord changing the 120v BACK to 12v for the machine. My solution (with my previous RV) was to buy a 12v power cord for the CPAP machine.

There is NOWHERE to plug it in my new Airstream.

I agree. Unfortunately Airstream is not the only manufacturer who omits 12VDC outlets. I also use a CPAP and dry camp and prefer to plug directly into 12 volts. Consequently, when we go to an RV show I’m on the lookout to see how many other brands have 12VDC outlets. VERY few.

[TG Twinkie]

My new SOB has one 12 volt outlet. In the ceiling of all places. Only one problem. They failed to wire it at the factory. NICE. There are 2 USB jacks next to the 12 volt outlet. Why they mounted them in the ceiling is beyond me.
My '74 Argosy has numerous 12 volt outlets. Of coarse I installed them.

[ke6gkv]

hello all, 12 volt is not dead; ham operators, boondockers, c-pap and other medical devices will always use 12 volts. generators and massive solar will work.but at an added price. kurt

[sallye]

We have Extra refrigerator space in the form of a little Dometic refrigerator chest. While traveling it plugs into a 12V outlet. When we get to where we are going and hook up to power, it can plug into a 110 volt outlet.

[J-K Georgia]

I never realized there was such a need for 12V outlets in the trailers.

We have not required use of one in our 1.5 years of traveling, yet.

But we do use all of them in the TV.

[LillianKZ]

We have a 2018 Classic.

Any guidance on where to tap in and install 12v outlets? I absolutely need two 12v fans like we had in our boat. One in front and one in back. Need to keep our phones charged too!

Also, there seem to be a lot of parasitic draws that we want to get rid of. Any suggestions. We will start with the bedroom TV. Don't ever use it. And maybe the headboard control panel.

[greghoro]

Originally Posted by BigSxyWhtGuy

Pardon my complete incompetence on this subject but I feel like 12v is a dying necessity in life similar to CD players (note that CD Players are no longer options in trailers or vehicles)

Technology continues to evolve daily and low draw units may be emerging on the market for most units. CPAP may be a one off example of need. You don’t build a church for Easter Sunday.

Just my .02 in an effort to encourage conversation not to put myself or anyone else on blast.

Church is already in place, in the form of 12V batteries and associated extensive wiring and fixtures in every Airstream. I believe that the original poster is lamenting that Airstream just didn't provide enough access to the church.


Greg

[switz]

Retro fitted a 12Vdc socket by the main fuse panel in the 2015 23D International Serenity and one under the dinette by the front wall. Allows placement of Fantastic floor fan where needed.

Retro fitted one in the 2014 31' Classic on the rear dinette seat also for the Fantastic floor fan. Put one the in the rear roof locker above the dinette for the MiFi modem, wifi ranger and other com gear.

We installed a 120Vac power outlet with two USB power receptacle in the center beside table of the twin bed and in the front electronics bay.

[Airdream99]

I bought one of these to try. It powers my 12 vt fan just fine. I will buy another. Not sure if it will power a CPAP however.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074V35WBJ...v_ov_lig_dp_it