wiring query

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richardh10

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Probably obvious, but if I knew the answer I wouldn't be posting it!

How do I include a 3 pin socket into my electrical circuit for all the various chargers that I seem to accumulate? Do I just wire one in as I would anything else?

Not that I'll be doing it this morning as its too effin cold!
 
If your boat is fitted for shore power, I'm surprised that you don't have a 3 pin socket as part of the set up. If the boat doesn't have a mains voltage supply, then you'll need to get an inverter so that you can convert the 12v DC supply to 240v AC. Low power inverters mainly come with built in 3 pin plug so that you can plug your chargers straight into it.
 
duncan99210 said:
If your boat is fitted for shore power, I'm surprised that you don't have a 3 pin socket as part of the set up. If the boat doesn't have a mains voltage supply, then you'll need to get an inverter so that you can convert the 12v DC supply to 240v AC. Low power inverters mainly come with built in 3 pin plug so that you can plug your chargers straight into it.
Click to expand...

Thanks for that. Maybe I should look at wiring up for shore power. Not often in a marina, but it does happen on occasion!
 
Inverter

duncan99210 said:
If your boat is fitted for shore power, I'm surprised that you don't have a 3 pin socket as part of the set up. If the boat doesn't have a mains voltage supply, then you'll need to get an inverter so that you can convert the 12v DC supply to 240v AC. Low power inverters mainly come with built in 3 pin plug so that you can plug your chargers straight into it.
Click to expand...

What is the point of an inverter to run off the batteries to charge the batteries?
 
For items that have a charge lead that plugs into a car ciggy lighter add a good quality ciggy lighter type socket to the boat 12volt system .
That includes the mobile phone and the AA battery charger for the batteries in various battery powered items

For small, ie low power, mains use, use a small ( 150 watt ??) inverter that also plugs into the ciggy lighter type socket. Eg this Silverline one They often have a USB charging faciility too.

Maplin do one that fits in to a car cup holder! There are other the size of a beer can
 
VicS said:
For items that have a charge lead that plugs into a car ciggy lighter add a good quality ciggy lighter type socket to the boat 12volt system .
That includes the mobile phone and the AA battery charger for the batteries in various battery powered items

For small, ie low power, mains use, use a small ( 150 watt ??) inverter that also plugs into the ciggy lighter type socket. Eg this Silverline one They often have a USB charging faciility too.

Maplin do one that fits in to a car cup holder! There are others the size of a beer can
Click to expand...

Like these
http://www.force4.co.uk/Search/120021/
http://www.force4.co.uk/Search/120057/
http://www.force4.co.uk/Search/120024/
http://www.force4.co.uk/Search/120017/
 
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nigelmercier said:
Now I'm confused! Why are you asking about wiring in a 230V mains socket, if you don't have shore power wiring and are not often in a marina?
Click to expand...

I wanted to plug in my phone charger which has a 3 pin plug. I'm not often in a marina but occasionally I am. It seems that my options are to wire the boat to take shore power or just fit an inverter.

Or am I missing something?
 
richardh10 said:
Or am I missing something?
Click to expand...
If that is all you want to do then buy a 12V phone charger and put in a cigarette lighter socket into the boat's 12V supply.
Socket here (or similar)
Buy the charger that suits your phone, something like this.

No need to go to 240v and then down again.

I would suggest a charger suitable for your phone rather than those ones that supply a multitude of fittings to suit everything.
 
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richardh10 said:
I wanted to plug in my phone charger which has a 3 pin plug. I'm not often in a marina but occasionally I am. It seems that my options are to wire the boat to take shore power or just fit an inverter.

Or am I missing something?
Click to expand...

Inverters are the spawn of the devil, get a ciggy charger 12v boingy lead thingy for your phone. And, if you're really posh shorepower.

Inverterero ees el diablo.
 
Oatcake said:
Inverters are the spawn of the devil, get a ciggy charger 12v boingy lead thingy for your phone. And, if you're really posh shorepower.

Inverterero ees el diablo.
Click to expand...

It depends what you want to charge. Some laptops now have a sensing wire in the charge circuit which forces you to use the manufacturer's mains charger. The charging plug which goes into the laptop has three connections! The laptop will not recognise a 12v step-up charger.

An inverter or shore power are then your only options.

Richard
 
richardh10 said:
I wanted to plug in my phone charger which has a 3 pin plug. I'm not often in a marina but occasionally I am. It seems that my options are to wire the boat to take shore power or just fit an inverter.
Click to expand...

To crack your nut, take one sledgehammer ...

If you just want to charge a phone (or even a laptop), just buy a 12V car charger for a few quid on eBay.
 
RichardS said:
The charging plug which goes into the laptop has three connections! The laptop will not recognise a 12v step-up charger.

An inverter or shore power are then your only options.
Click to expand...

Or, presumably, an "official" car or aeroplane adaptor for the laptop. The latter seem to be more common although I think they might be more than 12v

Pete
 
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