12V DC Adaptor

In order to use 12v items that come equipped with a standard "lighter plug", I made adapters to the 1/4" socket Coleman uses for 12v power.

These sockets are included on all lights on the Coleman Grand Tour & Grand Tour Elite series campers.  On the Destiny series they are only on the inside lights, just not the outside "yellow" light.

I have been informed that they are also included in some lights on the following brands:

Rockwood, Skamper, Starcraft, Viking

If you know of others, drop me a note.

The parts to make the adaptor are readily available at Radio Shack or any other electronics parts store. The assembly does require some soldering. The parts to get are 1/4" MONO plugs and the Cigarette lighter "Y" adaptors (these are make with one male end and two female ends. When you plug the male into your cigarette lighter, it female.) But, the "Y" adaptors must be on wire whips, not a plastic block)

Cut the male end off the "Y" adaptor, as close to the male end as possible. This will leave the two female sockets with about an eight inch wire whip on it

When wiring it up, remember the center pin on the "cigarette lighter adaptor" is wired to the tip of the 1/4". This is the "positive" side.

The shield of the "cigarette lighter adaptor" is wired to the shield of the 1/4".plug.  This is the "negative" side.

All photos are thumbnails, click to see an enlarged version