12 Volt Accessories and Solar Applications

For Overland & Expedition travel, there is nothing better than 12 Volt DC to fill your needs for camp lighting, trailside repairs, recharging laptops & cameras and food preservation. It can be replenished and stored during the day while you drive or by Solar Panel and used when needed at night. Here’s a few of our favorites choices:

Ultra Compact • Ultra Lightweight • Easy to Use

Designed for users who need lightweight and portable power. Foldable Solar Chargers handle almost any charging need.

The chargers are designed for durability, and are UV and weather resistant to handle diverse environments.

They range in size from 5W to 60W, and custom sizes are available. Unlike other portable solar chargers, can be used immediately after being removed from their packaging, just plug and play. (Charge controllers need to be used with the larger units).

The construction is extremely rugged, the manufacturer had permanent outdoor installation in mind when they designed these panel

We have been working extensively with the 60 watt panel in the field, and find the size, weigh and durability to meet our requirements. They are easy to unpack and deploy, and can be hung from the built in grommets or laid on the ground.

Unfolded the panel is 59" long and 43" wide, folded away it fits into a bag that's 11" x 9.5" x 2". The whole thing weighs 3.19 lbs.

The 60 watt panel provides 3.6 amps of current at 15.4 volts, so it's powerful enough to run a fridge. A controller is required with this setup.

Cost: $941.00

Foldable solar panels are available in the following sizes, Call or e-mail for pricing.

5 Watt: Open 24.4" Long x 10.3" wide, weight 0.35 lbs, Folds into a bag 10.3" x 3.3" x 1"

10 Watt: Open 23.7" long x 21" wide, weight 0.73 lbs, Folds into a bag 10.5" x 3.5" x 1.3"

20 Watt: Open 30" long x 31.7" wide, weight 1.27 lbs, Folds into a bag 11" x 6.5" x 1"

30 Watt: Open 41.3 long x 31.7 wide, weight 1.76 lbs, Folds into a bag 11" x 9.5" x 1"

For help with solar or electrical calculations
click here.

ARB 4X4 Adventure Light - 12V, 13 Watt Fluorescent

This rugged little beast comes with its own handy carry bag, a strap for the cord. It is equipped with a 12V plug that fits into both conventional cigarette lighter plugs as well as Hella style accessory plugs. We like that the plug has an LED light on it to verify power at the plug. It also has a nice switch on the cord near the light so if you are hanging it in your tent by one of the two convenient hooks, it’s a snap to turn on/off. Low amperage draw of 1.08 A/H.
Cost: $58.50

The second generation of LED work lights are here and they are impressive.

This is a very bright LED work light, 3000 candle power (280 lumens). The light is encased in a heavy duty aluminum housing. An industrial quality fitting.

FEATURES:
    * 6 Super Bright 1 Watt LEDs
    * Aluminum Black Powder Coated Housing
    * Snap-On Hood
    * Low LED Amp Draw
    * Poly-Carbonate Lens
    * Stainless Steel Mounting Bracket And Bolt
    * Perfect for all Work and Equipment Vehicles
    * Ideal for Camping and Expedition usage
    * Does not attract bugs
    * 1.2 amp draw

4.50" (114 mm)Diameter (inc. housing)
2.20" (56 mm) Deep (inc. housing)
Stainless Steel bracket
5/16' mounting stud
Weight: 1.5 lb (0.68 kg)
Overall height when mounted: 6” (152 mm)

Cost: $120.00

Rectangular work light using 6 bright LED's. producing 5028 candle power (400 lumens). The light is encased in a heavy duty aluminum housing.

FEATURES:

* 6 Super Bright LEDs
* Dual Voltage 12/24 VDC
* Die-Cast Aluminum Body
* Flood Beam Pattern
* Poly-Carbonate Lens 

5.9" L x 3.54" W x 1.57" D
(150 mm L x 90 mm H x 40 mm D)

Stainless Steel bracket
5/16' mounting stud
Weight: 1.0 lb (0.45 kg)
Overall height when mounted: 4.5” (114 mm)

Cost: $120.00

Frustrated by flimsy 12 Volt sockets down at the local auto parts store? Do you find your GPS and other accessories coming unplugged on the washboard? Need to surface mount a socket but can’t find a solution?  WE HAVE IT! Our Socket Box is made from galvanized steel, with an inspection cover. It comes with a marine grade socket, fuse holder and 15 amp fuse.
Accessory Box, including Locking Socket, Fuse holder & fuse $ 21.95

Marine Locking Socket $11.49
Marine Locking Plug $8.04

Marine Grade Battery Chargers

Components are completely sealed in durable, corrosion-proof, waterproof thermal potting compound.
Full 3-stage charging for fast, full charging and maintenance.
Potted components are fully impact protected.
Shockproof and vibration-proof.
Built-in electronic overload protection, with automatic reset.
Reverse polarity and ignition protected.
LEDs indicate state of charge.
"Smart" technology can be left on without harmful effects to battery.
All models may be used for storage/maintenance.
Thermal protection for extreme ambient temperatures.
Models for 12, 24 or 36 volt systems.
For flooded or gel cell batteries
2 year limited warranty

10-amp output, Single Battery Charger.
12V system, 8-10 hours recovery time
Full-time maintenance function
Waterproof, fully-encapsulated electronics
Lifetime warranty against internal water damage

Cost: $130.00

20-amp output, Double Battery Charger (10/10)

High performance charger for 12 or 24 volt systems
20-amp output
5 hour recovery time
Full-time maintenance function
Waterproof, fully-encapsulated electronics
Lifetime warranty against internal water damage

Cost: $284.95

LED Oval Surface Mount Stop/Tail/Turn Light

• Completely Sealed
• 12 volt DC 0.14 amps
  
• 9 LED's
• 2 Hole Surface Mount
• Ply-Carbonate Lens & Housing
• Rated 100,000 hour life
  
  7.8" L x 3.3" W x 0.8"H
(20.32mm x 196.85mm x 82.55mm)

Cost: $15.99

LED Oval Surface Mount Reverse Light

• Completely Sealed
• 12 volt DC
  
• 18 LED's
• 2 Hole Surface Mount
• Ply-Carbonate Lens & Housing
• Rated 100,000 hour life
  
  7.8" L x 3.3" W x 0.8"H
(20.32mm x 196.85mm x 82.55mm)

Cost: $33.99

Submersible Combination Light
Meets DOT requirements for Stop, Turn, Tail (12 LED).
Side and rear reflector
Side Marker (4 LED)
License Plate (5 LED)
8-14Volt
4 9/16 X 4 9/16 X 2 7/8
W/O License Illuminator Cost: $21.06
With License Illuminator Cost: $24.90

Mounting bracket Submersible combo, black
Cost: $3.85

Plastic License Bracket for Submersible combo.
9 X 4 31/32
Cost: $4.50

3/4” Recessed Clearance light / Marker Light

• Miniature size and low profile reduces damage
  
• Urethane filled body for moisture protection
• Shock and vibration proof
• Installed in 3/4" hole
• 12VDC 0.06 amps
• Exceeds FMVSS 108
• 100,000 hour life
  
  Amber kit Cost: $6.30
  Red kit Cost: $6.30

LED License Plate Light

• SAE & DOT rated
  
• Efficient lens
• Single piece waterproof construction
• Installed in 3/4" hole
• 12VDC 0.03 amps
• Tough Black Polymer housing
• 50,000 hour life
  
  Fixture projects 2" from the mounting plane to meet DOT requirements.
  
  Cost: $7.95
  

Reflectors; self adhesive and flexible

Amber Cost: $2.00
Red Cost: $2.00

Interior Low Profile LED

A surface mounted replacement for a 40 Watt Halogen light. The lamp incorporates a fully-potted circuit board to prevent corrosion from salt water and harsh environments. Switch able between white and red light (don't lose your night vision)

• 450 lumens at less than 10 watts of power
• 12 volt DC 0.65 amps
  
• Natural white light, switch able to red light
• Diffuse lens for 180 degree output
• Rated for 50,000 hours
• Tough Black Polymer housing
• 50,000 hour life
  
  Highest lumens per watt LED, combined with easy surface mounting, epoxy sealed electronics.
  
  Cost: $112.54
  

Weatherproof LED light.

This unit produces a nice smooth bright light, giving a well disbursed 360? pan. Can be mounted on a tube, 1.5" or 1.75" with a backing plate, or on a flat surface.

Size: 2.75" L x 1.0" W x 0.875" H

Cost: $66.95

The Work Shop

A solar panel can make a lot of sense for remote base camps. Instead of simply listing different sizes and prices of solar panels, at Adventure Trailers, we prefer to have a consult with you about what you plan to run and how large a system you will need. Often the easiest and least expensive option is to simply double up on your batteries, other times, a solar panel will do the trick and others a generator is the only solution. Our goal is to see to it that you get a system sized correctly for you.

Most commonly where a trailer is being base camped for a week or more, running a few efficient lights, a fridge and a lap top periodically, we find an 80 watt panel in combination with a Group 31 battery and solar controller we can keep the beer cold and the lights on. Call us to help you calculate your energy needs.

Tips for Evaluating 12 Volt Power Requirements

In the same way that we plan our trips revolving around our MPG and miles per tank, we need to do the same for calculating our auxiliary electrical needs. It’s really quite simple: The key is Ohms law. It is a basic equation that can be read a few different ways depending upon what number you need to crunch:

Volts x Amps = Watts
Watts ÷ Amps = Volts
Watts ÷ Volts = Amps

Let’s say you want to know how many Amps an ARB 13Watt, 12V fluorescent light is going to consume per hour. Your answer is 13 Watts ÷ 12 Volts = 1.08 Amps per hour of usage.

Understanding Deep Cycle Battery Basics

The Group 31 Valve Regulated AGM Batteries that we favor in our trailers and vehicle conversions are very stout. A general rule of thumb for calculating available power from these 105 Amp hour  batteries is that no more than a 50% discharge (52.5 Amps) will give you the longest battery life and the most cycles. A cycle is each full recharging occurrence. Unfortunately, often we need to discharge beyond this 50%. A deep cycle battery is considering completely discharged when it reaches about 10.5 volts. Below 10.5 volts, most 12 volt appliances stop working. This is approximately 80% (84 Amps)

So here’s the math again. Using our 105 Amp Battery and the ARB 13 Watt, 12V Fluorescent light as an example:

(105 Amps X .80) ÷ (13 watts ÷ 12 Volts) = 77.7 Hours of burn time.