Weird 12v socket?

Rosie Rabbit
Rosie Rabbit Forum Participant Posts: 85
edited June 2017 in New to Caravanning & Touring #1

Me again!

Can I run my ordinary tv plugged into this socket and if so what sort of lead/converter do I need?

Lx

Comments

  • Cornersteady
    Cornersteady Club Member Posts: 14,426 ✭✭✭
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    edited June 2017 #2

    I had one of those in my first caravan, we had to buy an adaptor from the local dealer which had two flat pins to fit and a 12V receiver 

    like this: (I'm sure you can find cheaper ones)

    http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/quest-adapt-it-3-caravanning-electrical-set-p141461?gclid=CjwKEAjwppPKBRCGwrSpqK7Y5jcSJACHYbWY_2xWkfepDzKsHAY4PZvWeIVcrq4SavM6haKo1G860xoCVojw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

  • DavidKlyne
    DavidKlyne Club Member Posts: 13,857 ✭✭✭
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    edited June 2017 #3

    This is the more usual set up now for caravans and motorhomes in common with car accessory sockets. 12v appliances now tend to come with a plug that fits this type of socket.

    David

     

  • Cornersteady
    Cornersteady Club Member Posts: 14,426 ✭✭✭
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    edited June 2017 #4

    It's interesting how technology moves on I wonder how many years before people start asking what this strange sockets are?

     

  • mickysf
    mickysf Forum Participant Posts: 6,474 ✭✭✭
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    edited June 2017 #5

    That looks like a hella socket, they have been around for decades. First saw them in trucks with 24volt. Later in motorhomes with 12volt. You will also find them on many motorbikes. They are rated higher than cigarette type sockets and far more reliable as they are push and clip fit rather than just contact and so can take the higher load.

    You can buy both plugs and sockets at Maplins.

  • Rosie Rabbit
    Rosie Rabbit Forum Participant Posts: 85
    edited June 2017 #6

    My caravan is 16 years old, so she is indeed a bit retro. But I love her!

    I met a lovely couple at the storage compound today and they showed me around their 3 year old van. Was so envious of their tv points and they even had 2 x USB ports fitted! Was a beautiful caravan.

  • Cornersteady
    Cornersteady Club Member Posts: 14,426 ✭✭✭
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    edited June 2017 #7

    Its quite easy to put in or change new 12V sockets, including USB to any 240V sockets, or any type you like providing the wiring is there of course. So you could change your current sockets. Your local dealer could do it for you or a mobile electrician/caravan engineer.

    Our van is only a few years old but we had extra 240V with USB sockets installed at the rear of the van where there was only one. It was quite inexpensive to do I remember. If the wiring isn't there it's still not that much more. In our second caravan they ran the wire for a rear 240V socket down under the under the caravan from the control box and then up again where you want the socket.

  • IanH
    IanH Forum Participant Posts: 4,708
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    edited June 2017 #8

    When you say your 'ordinary tv' do you mean a 240 volt one that you use at home?

    If so, clearly a 240v TV won't work from a 12v socket, whatever type of socket it is.

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited June 2017 #9

    What  Ian says. The socket clearly says 12 volts ..... your 'ordinary' telly is 240 volts ie mains ...... that's why the plugs/sockets are completely different so you can't plug the wrong one in.

  • ValDa
    ValDa Forum Participant Posts: 3,004
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    edited June 2017 #10

    This socket is to run a 12v TV - ie those specially made for caravans, motorhomes, and lorry drivers!  You can buy one from ebay, and various other  places, but you can't simply change the socket on a 'normal' television, or get an adaptor. 

  • Pippah45
    Pippah45 Forum Participant Posts: 2,452
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    edited June 2017 #11

    I had a 2008 van and it didn't even have one of those sockets or a 12v "cigar lighter" one all it had was normal household 13 amp ones.  

    I hope you manage to get your tv working whichever source it needs - and you should be able to get an adaptor easy enough for that little socket to a cigarette lighter type for anything else you want to run.  its easy to get the adaptor for those to run USB leads too.

  • Boff
    Boff Forum Participant Posts: 1,742
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    edited June 2017 #12

    Actually that looks like a Hella socket.  Standard car accessory plugs won't fit.  They are too big.  The same part is available with the correct sized 12v socket just be careful you buy the one that you want    

    The plugs required by the op are generally available from any caravan accessory shop. 

  • Amesford
    Amesford Forum Participant Posts: 685
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    edited June 2017 #13

    sadly Just thrown one of those plugs away we used in one of our older vans, I had fitted a lead to it with a cigarette socket at the other end  so we coud use the 12volt lead that was supplied with the TV.

               

  • Rosie Rabbit
    Rosie Rabbit Forum Participant Posts: 85
    edited June 2017 #14

    Thanks everyone (again!). I see what you mean now re plugging in the tv. I will have to resign myself to only being able to watch on EHU, but then again I didn't buy a caravan to sit and watch tv in it all day smile

    I went to Sussex Caravan Centre at Ashington, Sussex to get the clipsal thingy but they were out of them. They'll call me when they have them back in stock, they seem to be popular!

     

    BTW I find Sussex Caravan Centre to be so helpful (I ask stupid questions there too!). Great after sales service - not related to anyone there.

    I now have another question re solar panels, but will post as a separate topic!

    L x

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