Foretravel Owners' Forum

Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Tech Talk => Topic started by: sawdust316 on March 16, 2014, 03:29:35 pm

Title: 12V lighter socket
Post by: sawdust316 on March 16, 2014, 03:29:35 pm
Good afternoon Folks;

Can anyone tell me what the power (Watts) is on the two lighter sockets on the dash of a U270?

I will be getting an iPad Air shortly and plan to get the RM App for it. I would like to know if there is enough power there keep the iPad batteries up on long drives. The iPad is a gift from our son who works for Apple.

I did read recently that there are people out there using the iPad as GPS. I guess I will attempt it also. Not sure of the term but when you are in the follow mode it really sucks up the battery.

Thanks
Norm
Title: Re: 12V lighter socket
Post by: John S on March 16, 2014, 03:56:02 pm
You should have a outlet behind the drivers seat.  You can use that and the inverter while running down the road. That is how I power my laptop with Silverleaf. 
Title: Re: 12V lighter socket
Post by: tothetrail on March 16, 2014, 03:56:30 pm
I'm not sure of the power rating, but I can tell you that I've been running my iPad through the dash socket with this 2.1 A / 1A combination 12v adapter used with the USB cord.  It keeps up with the battery fine.  I got this one at Frys for about $10.  It's the smallest, most minimal one I could find that would charge an iPad and iPhone at the same time.

While running the GPS, which is always on, it will charge an almost dead iPad in about two hours, and once it's at 100%, it stays at 100% until I unplug it. 
Title: Re: 12V lighter socket
Post by: turbojack on March 16, 2014, 07:11:27 pm
I believe the lighter plug is on a 20a circuit @ 12v. A usb cigarette adapter comes in 1a & 2 amp versions. Get the 2A versions since it will let your items charge faster.  The usb adapter is at 5v so if the IPad is using 2 Amps it is still less then  1 amp at 12  volts
Title: Re: 12V lighter socket
Post by: Michelle on March 16, 2014, 07:19:39 pm
I believe the lighter plug is on a 20a circuit @ 12v.

That matches our 12V schematic (for the U320 it's the B-2179 drawing, not sure for the U270).  Our driver area and passenger magazine rack 12V auxiliary outlets share a 15a circuit. 
Title: Re: 12V lighter socket
Post by: Tim Fiedler on March 16, 2014, 07:22:40 pm
that works great - the outlet behind seat on investor -

FWIW, lots of AMPs to the 12V outlet too, but for laptop I have a "power Squid" in the outlet left of drivers seat, run a few things off that…..
Title: Re: 12V lighter socket
Post by: sawdust316 on March 16, 2014, 10:17:51 pm
Thanks everyone for your assistance.

Norm