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Old 05-08-2017, 03:25 PM   #1
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Wire Gauge for 12V Sockets

I'm going to be installing some 12V sockets in my RV like these - https://www.amazon.com/Automotive-Ex.../dp/B00PXAMYTC. These will support up to a 15A draw.

If I had just one of these on a circuit what gauge of wire should I use?

If I had two of these on a circuit what gauge of wire should I use?

Thanks!
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Old 05-08-2017, 10:18 PM   #2
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This may help you.
https://www.tessco.com/yts/industry/...get_wired.html
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Old 05-09-2017, 04:19 AM   #3
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Thanks Occupant5143,

Awesome resource. That chart answers the question. Thanks!
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Old 05-09-2017, 03:32 PM   #4
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Are you wiring your outlets all the way to the battery or tying them in somewhere else? If tying in somewhere else, you'll be limited by the smallest gauge between the outlets and the power source. I'd go with 12 gauge minimum if you can get a run all the way to the power source. When I plug my laptop 12V charger into the factory installed 12V socket, it pulls too many amps and the charger surges on and off due to voltage drop from too skinny of wiring. But when I plug it into the 12V power sockets I installed with 12 gauge wire, it runs fine.
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Old 05-09-2017, 03:47 PM   #5
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Thanks ewarnerusa,

I want circuits from the sockets to the power distribution panel but tying into an existing light/stereo circuit may be the only option in some cases. Not for sure what the gauge is there. For heavier amperage loads I should be able to tie a couple sockets into the power distribution panel below the fridge. If I see voltage drops when I tie into the power distribution panel I'll try running a line directly to the battery bank. I wouldn't be surprised if there is a problem after seeing how they wired in the water heater (attached image)

BTW, where did you find a 12V notebook charger? I haven't been able to find one for my DELL notebook.

Thanks!
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Old 05-09-2017, 08:57 PM   #6
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My Dell came with one!

Which Dell do you have? I have a Lattitude E6430, I have the cigarette lighter style cord for it. Parts-People.com is a good place for Dell parts.

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Old 05-09-2017, 10:03 PM   #7
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I bought mine off Amazon.com for a Dell XPS laptop.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
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Old 05-10-2017, 06:00 PM   #8
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Thanks wahoonc,

I have an Inspiron 7559. It uses a quad core (8 hyper-threaded cores) processor, has 4K video, and a 130W power brick. I found an adapter at https://www.parts-people.com/index.p...n=item&id=5149 but it is only 65W and does not have my model in the compatible list.

I use this guy for heavy lifting - image processing and running virtual machines. Now that I've become more cognizant of the power required for the 7559 I might bring along another low power Toshiba net book I have. Biggest problem with it is the soldered on 2GB of RAM and 32GB SSD. Windows 10 with updates consumes almost all of the RAM and SSD. Maybe I'll install a light variant of LINUX and use the Toshiba for casual web browsing.
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Old 05-10-2017, 06:06 PM   #9
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Thanks ewarnerusa,

That one unfortunately doesn't work either for my inspiron 7559. As the 7559 uses so much power I might use my Toshiba or tablet for casual web browsing.
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Old 05-10-2017, 06:53 PM   #10
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Originally Posted by WannaBeFree View Post
Thanks wahoonc,

I have an Inspiron 7559. It uses a quad core (8 hyper-threaded cores) processor, has 4K video, and a 130W power brick. I found an adapter at https://www.parts-people.com/index.p...n=item&id=5149 but it is only 65W and does not have my model in the compatible list.


I use this guy for heavy lifting - image processing and running virtual machines. Now that I've become more cognizant of the power required for the 7559 I might bring along another low power Toshiba net book I have. Biggest problem with it is the soldered on 2GB of RAM and 32GB SSD. Windows 10 with updates consumes almost all of the RAM and SSD. Maybe I'll install a light variant of LINUX and use the Toshiba for casual web browsing.
Looky

12 vdc step up transformer | eBay
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Old 05-10-2017, 10:10 PM   #11
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Very interesting.

uxcell® DC 12V 9V~18V Step-Up to DC 19V 6A 114W Waterproof Power Supply Booster

is very close to the 19.5V and 6.7A which the DELL brick produces.
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Old 05-10-2017, 10:19 PM   #12
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Here's a better one I found,
12A 200W Adjustable DC-DC Step Down Converter Module 4.5-30V to 0.8-30V | eBay

I used something similar to this to run my HughesNet satellite modem and the Linksys router in my solar house.
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Old 05-10-2017, 10:31 PM   #13
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Nice :-) The output is certainly in the required range. Do you know how the Current/Voltage are adjusted? Maybe potentiometers?

Output Current: 0-12A
Output Voltage: 0.8-30V
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Old 05-10-2017, 10:34 PM   #14
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Nice :-) The output is certainly in the required range. Do you know how the Current/Voltage are adjusted? Maybe potentiometers?

Output Current: 0-12A
Output Voltage: 0.8-30V
On one end that is shown is the blue trimmer with the screwdriver slot for adjustment.
I like this one better because you can add a little muffin fan to it and keep it cooler or work it harder.
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Old 05-10-2017, 10:36 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by WannaBeFree View Post
Thanks wahoonc,

I have an Inspiron 7559. It uses a quad core (8 hyper-threaded cores) processor, has 4K video, and a 130W power brick. I found an adapter at https://www.parts-people.com/index.p...n=item&id=5149 but it is only 65W and does not have my model in the compatible list.

I use this guy for heavy lifting - image processing and running virtual machines. Now that I've become more cognizant of the power required for the 7559 I might bring along another low power Toshiba net book I have. Biggest problem with it is the soldered on 2GB of RAM and 32GB SSD. Windows 10 with updates consumes almost all of the RAM and SSD. Maybe I'll install a light variant of LINUX and use the Toshiba for casual web browsing.
Mine has a 90 watt power supply. When I get a chance let me do some digging. It may be that the Latitude is set up different. My 12 volt is just a cable.

Aaron 😎

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Old 05-10-2017, 11:58 PM   #16
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Here is the part number for my Dell OEM 12v charger; ADP-90ND AA Cheap it ain't but it is plug and play. It says it is rated for 90 watts max. I have the old style airplane adapter too, but haven't flown on a plane with those in ages.

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Old 05-11-2017, 01:26 AM   #17
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On one end that is shown is the blue trimmer with the screwdriver slot for adjustment.
I like this one better because you can add a little muffin fan to it and keep it cooler or work it harder.
Thanks! That might work really well

The whole reason for going with the Inspiron 7559 was to get close to the performance of my 2012 desktop. I never found a good solution to connect a desktop computer directly to a 12V battery bank (no inverter). Have you done anything like that?
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Old 05-11-2017, 01:33 AM   #18
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Here is the part number for my Dell OEM 12v charger; ADP-90ND AA Cheap it ain't but it is plug and play. It says it is rated for 90 watts max. I have the old style airplane adapter too, but haven't flown on a plane with those in ages.

Aaron
Thanks Aaron,

I was looking at that one and it looks nice. My notebook is a bit of a beast and uses a 130W brick though.
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Old 05-11-2017, 09:47 AM   #19
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Thanks! That might work really well

The whole reason for going with the Inspiron 7559 was to get close to the performance of my 2012 desktop. I never found a good solution to connect a desktop computer directly to a 12V battery bank (no inverter). Have you done anything like that?
I used UPS for my desktop back when I had one. They have an inverter built into them. We used the APS brand stuff. Instead of wiring up 12 volt outlets for your laptop consider the possibility of using an inverter? Either way you are going to have some sort of power losses. An inverter would also allow you to run other odds and ends like printers and televisions. Just make sure the battery bank is beefed up.

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Old 05-11-2017, 05:35 PM   #20
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I used UPS for my desktop back when I had one. They have an inverter built into them. We used the APS brand stuff. Instead of wiring up 12 volt outlets for your laptop consider the possibility of using an inverter? Either way you are going to have some sort of power losses. An inverter would also allow you to run other odds and ends like printers and televisions. Just make sure the battery bank is beefed up.

Aaron
Thanks Aaron,

I was thinking of using an UPS and modifying it to connect to the battery bank vs the small internal battery. My thought was it should produce a pure sine wave and pure sine wave inverters can be more expensive vs an UPS with a dead battery – maybe free on Craig’s LIst.

One 12V desktop power supply I found is:

M4-ATX, intelligent ATX automotive power supply, 6/30V - power your PC in a car.

I contacted support and they felt it might be too underpowered for my system so I opted for a beefier notebook.
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