How to Get 12V Power From a Trailer Plug? (Multiple Methods)

When I go out on a campaign for a long time, I bring different types of entertainment devices with my belongings in my trailer. They may include a DVD, CD, or MP3 player. But they are all 12V accessories. So, I need to get 12v power from my trailer plug. 

In my point of view, the easiest way of getting 12V power from a trailer plug is installing a 12V outlet with the trailer plug. The other possibilities may include adding a 12V battery, 2V adapter, or power inverters. 

Each of these methods has their own guidelines to be done. Today, in this article, I’m going to tell you how I get these methods done in my trailer. So, let’s see how to get 12V power from a trailer plug.

How to Get 12V Power From Trailer Plug? 

As we discussed earlier, there are several ways to get 12V power from a trailer plug. Each of them will require different tools and arrangements. Below I’ll show how I get 12V power from my trailer plug in various ways:

Installing a 12V outlet to the trailer plug 

This is the most popular and simplest way to get 12V power from a trailer plug. It is a multi purpose way also that can be used for charging mobile phones, laptops and tablets. 

A 12V power outlet is also useful to run musical devices with audio cables. The most interesting thing about this outline is that it allowed me to power up my air compressor also.

Fortunately, there are multiple versions of the 12V outlet depending on the type of the plug of a trailer. And it comes handy to install an outlet in the plug. 

All I need to do is just mount it at the back of the panel and connect the negative and positive post of the battery to the same posts of the outlet. An inline fuse must be added in the positive wire and the negative wire should be attached to the ground as safety. 

The average cost of installing a 12V outlet to get 12V power from the trailer plug is around $55. A 12V outlet will cost $9.95-$19.95 and the labor cost can be around $35 per hour.

Read Also: 5 Reasons Why Your Motorhome Blowing Particles Out Of Vent

Adding a 12V Power Inverter 

A 12V power inverter is a versatile gadget that is used to convert 12V DC power to 12V AC power. It is very useful to the RV owners because it allows them to get 12V power from a trailer plug. 

Numerous electronic devices such as can be plugged in in a 12V power inverter. This is also very handy that can be installed either in accessory sockets, or cigarette lighter in a trailer. 

On average, it will cost between $140 and $200 to install a 12V power inverter in a trailer. The labor cost will be between $50 and $100, while the inverter will cost about $90.

Read Also: MCD Shade Won’t Stay Down | Here’s What You Can Do To Fix

Using a Buck Boost Transformer

Another way to get 12V power from a trailer plug is using a buck boost transformer in the trailer. It is more useful when there is an increase and decrease of voltage. 

From the original amount coming in transformers, can set up or set down voltages by the is of internal windings.

The voltage in the line comes in energies and creates a magnetic field that induces voltage in the second winding. Transformers can be used to make drastic changes to the voltage. 

In general, the cost of installing a buck booster transformer is around $900. The labor cost is up to $200, and the other parts will cost between $500 and $70.

Read Also: Why Thetford RV Toilet Won’t Stop Running & How to Fix It?

How Do I Check the Voltage On a Trailer Plug?

Usually, I use a multimeter to check voltage on my trailer plug. I think this is the easiest way to do so though there are many. The whole process is pretty simple. 

But I must ensure my safety first as working with current can be a danger. However, the multimeter comes with two probes one is red and another is black. 

Step 1: Connect the leads properly

Connect the black probe to the negative entrance and red to the positive entrance. There is a red circle that helps me to find the entry easier. 

Step 2: Insert the probes into hot and neutral

Now, I am going to connect the probes with neutral and hot holes. Here the voltage should be between 110V and 130V.

Step 3: Insert the probes into hot and ground

Lastly, connect the probes to the neutral and ground holes. The result of this measurement should alway be zero. But the multimeter shows a voltage higher than zero.

It means that the hot wire is touching one of these two wires and it would be best if it got fixed that right way. So, the multimeter is good for testing a trailer plug.

Read Also: AO Smith 2-stage Water Filter Leaking | Here’s What You Can Do!

FAQs.

How to get 12V power from a trailer plug can be very difficult to understand without proper knowledge and guidelines. So, here are more information related to how one can get more power from a trailer plug:

Conclusion 

While getting 12V power from a trailer plug, the amount of time and the required tools will depend on how the owner deals with the possibilities of getting 12V power. But usually it will be done within an hour or slightly more minutes. 

Since getting 12V power means working with electricity, often it could be very dangerous. It can cause burns, electric shocks, or sparks. Moreover, incorrect setting or wiring can also cause fire in the trailer. So, be cautious whenever dealing with these things. 

However, the process of getting 12V power from a trailer plug is pretty simple. So, it can be easily done by the trailer owner himself/herself.

Read Also: Coleman RV Air Conditioner Dripping Water Inside: Reasons and Repairs