How to Get 12V Power From Trailer Plug? 3 Solutions to Get the Power
When your truck consists of a trailer plug, it can be used to charge electrical appliances that run on 12V power. Obviously, when you’re on a day out or camping, you need to move from one place to another, and in the meantime, you may need to power your devices on and off.
But not every truck owner knows how to get 12V power from the trailer plug. And if you’re one of them then this post is for you. There are three ways to get 12V power from a trailer plug – Hardwiring, using a 12V socket, and adding a fuse.
In this post, we’re about to elaborate on these two ways so that you can get power from the trailer plug by applying them. Therefore, without delaying any longer, let’s get into them.
How Do You Get 12V Power From the Trailer Plug?
Both power-supplying procedures are pretty simple if you have basic knowledge about wiring and connection. Before getting into the detailed procedures, let us introduce them in brief.
Hardwire – This way you need to connect a wire directly from the trailer plug to the device you want to power. This is the most secure way to get 12V power, but it also requires some basic wiring skills.
Utilization of a 12V socket –This is a more convenient option, but it isn’t as secure as hardwiring. A 12V socket is a small adapter that plugs into the trailer plug and provides a standard 12V outlet.
Utilization of a fuse – Adding a fuse provide some additional benefits including it’s quicker to check for problems and replacing a fuse is pretty easy. You just need to place the fuse in the fuse box.
Now that you’ve got a basic idea about them, it’s time to get into the detailed information.
Solution 1: Hardwiring
Take the following steps to hardwire a 12V power supply to a trailer plug –
Step 1: Start by unscrewing the screws that hold the plug end and wire.
Step 2: Then locate the charge wire (black) and ground wire (white) pins on the trailer plug. These are usually the third and fourth pins from the left.
Step 3: Then strip about half an inch of insulation from the ends of two wires.
Step 4: Now, connect one piece of wire to the charge wire pin and the other piece of wire to the ground wire pin. It’s better to use a thicker gauge wire.
Step 5: After that, secure the wire and plug wires in place by screwing to the connector.
Step 6: Then put on a 12V plug on the charge wire.
Step 7: Finally, connect the device you want to power to the wires.
That’s it!
Solution 2: Use a 12V Socket
Take the following steps to use a 12V socket to get 12V power from a trailer plug –
Step 1: Purchase a 12V socket if you already don’t have one.
Step 2: Next, plug the 12V socket into the trailer plug.
Step 3: Now, plug the device you want to power into the 12V socket.
As simple as that!
Solution 3: Add an Additional Fuse
Your truck likely has a fuse for your auxiliary power at the connector. If you are going only to power small electrical appliances, you should be OK with just having the truck fuse. However, if you are going to power some hefty components, you’ll need an additional fuse. Take the following steps to add a fuse to the trailer plug –
Step 1: First of all, open up the fuse box in your truck.
Step 2: Then check the AMP rating of the fuse and compare that with your power requirements according to the accessories. This could be a 10 or 20-amp fuse.
Step 3: If your component to power is over 75% of the rated fuse, adding an inline fuse to the trailer plug will be worth it. Add the same amp fuse as your truck fuse.
NOTE: No matter which method you choose, make sure that the wire you use is the correct wire gauge for the amount of current you will be drawing. You can find the correct wire gauge by checking the device’s owner’s manual.
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
How many amps is a 12V trailer plug?
The amperage rating of a 12V trailer plug depends on the type of plug. A standard 7-way trailer plug is typically rated for 30 amps, but some may be rated for up to 40 amps. A 4-way trailer plug is typically rated for 15 amps. A 12V trailer plug typically provides a maximum current capacity of 20 amps. And if the trailer has reverse lights it will be less than brake and turn signals so maybe 5 amps total.
How many watts can a trailer plug handle?
The number of watts that a trailer plug can handle depends on the amperage rating of the plug and the voltage of the power source. A standard 7-way trailer plug is typically rated for 30 amps and 12 volts. This means that the plug can handle a maximum of 3600 watts. A 4-way trailer plug is typically rated for 15 amps and 12 volts. This means that the plug can handle a maximum of 1800 watts.
Conclusion
Thus far, we’ve shared both relevant and effective procedures in detail regarding getting 12V power from the trailer plug. Now that you know them, you can try any of them according to your preference. Just make sure to apply them as they’re instructed mentioned above. Feel free to knock us if you have any queries or confusion and share your valuable feedback.
