Using 12v and not the 240v

[rustydiver]

I’ve been using my router on the boat plugged into the 240v socket, it’s a 12v 1 amp supply. Seems daft to turn the inverter On while out. i do have a wired 12v supply near it. 
I know it’s a daft question but is it just a case of getting the correct end socket And inline fuse and wiring it to the 12v supply. 

[Rob-M]

You need to consider the fluctuations in the 12v as some kit won't like running at over 14v when the batteries are charging, it will depend on the 12v power supply as some will provide a consistent output voltage.

[Alan de Enfield]

9 minutes ago, rustydiver said:

I’ve been using my router on the boat plugged into the 240v socket, it’s a 12v 1 amp supply. Seems daft to turn the inverter On while out. i do have a wired 12v supply near it. 
I know it’s a daft question but is it just a case of getting the correct end socket And inline fuse and wiring it to the 12v supply. 

Maybe, maybe not.

 

Many 'electronics' need a stabilised 12v supply and if you try and put 12v DC from your battery the voltage can vary between (say) 10.5 volts and 14.4 volts which can release the magic smoke from you 'box'.

 

If you buy a 12v stabilised supply, then yes, plug it in and it will only output the necessary 12v,

 

Edit for missing worms

Edited July 27, 2020 by Alan de Enfield

[rustydiver]

The power supply is on the 12v circuit off the fuse board. It Was where the satellite dish was once plugged into at the front of the boat. 

[Alan de Enfield]

Just now, rustydiver said:

The power supply is on the 12v circuit off the fuse board. It Was where the satellite dish was once plugged into at the front of the boat. 

That doesn't matter. with the engine running or the battery charger on the voltage on the whole system will be considerably above 12v.

[nicknorman]

I was unclear whether this was a router for cutting grooves in wood, or a router for delivering porn to your tablet. Presuming it is the latter, modern electronics generally runs on 3.3v or lower and so the device will likely have a regulator built in. I think it is unlikely that the 12v input is connected directly to any electronics and so, whilst there is always the possibility that it will flake out at 14.4v, I doubt it.

[rustydiver]

20 minutes ago, nicknorman said:

I was unclear whether this was a router for cutting grooves in wood, or a router for delivering porn to your tablet. Presuming it is the latter, modern electronics generally runs on 3.3v or lower and so the device will likely have a regulator built in. I think it is unlikely that the 12v input is connected directly to any electronics and so, whilst there is always the possibility that it will flake out at 14.4v, I doubt it.

For steaming my porn ???

[rustydiver]

38 minutes ago, Alan de Enfield said:

Maybe, maybe not.

 

Many 'electronics' need a stabilised 12v supply and if you try and put 12v DC from your battery the voltage can vary between (say) 10.5 volts and 14.4 volts which can release the magic smoke from you 'box'.

 

If you buy a 12v stabilised supply, then yes, plug it in and it will only output the necessary 12v,

 

Edit for missing worms

Thanks Alan I’m looking for a 12v regulated supply but only seem to find the wall plug type ones. 
have you got a link to any?

Plus I seem to loose my 3 g where I am a lot 

And they want to push the 5g when there are places that don’t get much 3/4 g ?

Thanks Simon. 

[Alan de Enfield]

21 minutes ago, rustydiver said:

Thanks Alan I’m looking for a 12v regulated supply but only seem to find the wall plug type ones. 

 

This is the one I have

 

 

 

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/12V-5A-60W-Car-Caravan-DC-adapter-power-supply-for-TOSHIBA-TVs-Brand-new/391816279549?epid=1639284078&hash=item5b3a11f5fd:g:71oAAOSwNX1eyWJB

 

Cigarette lighter plug (can be replaced if necessary by whatever 12v plug type you have.)

Can get 'adapters' for the other end to suit all sorts of plugs (equipment). The plug fitted will fit into the adapters :

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/8-in-1-Universal-Charger-Adapter-AC-DC-Power-Tips-Connector-for-Laptop-Notebook-/313016513662?hash=item48e13cf47e

Edited July 27, 2020 by Alan de Enfield

[Jen-in-Wellies]

In addition to the voltages going up to 14.4V or so during charging, there can be much higher short term spikes in voltage from things like water pumps turning off. If a 12V gadget is designed and marketed for use in vehicles, it should have been designed to cope with the variable input voltage and spikes and can be safely connected to the boats 12V ish supply. Everything else, the safest course is to have a 12V to 12V stabiliser between the boats 12V and the gadget. You might not need it at all. The gadget might last years before it is killed, or it might fail very quickly without. You just can't tell

17 minutes ago, rustydiver said:

Plus I seem to loose my 3 g where I am a lot 

And they want to push the 5g when there are places that don’t get much 3/4 g ?

Thanks Simon. 

Where is your boat mostly? Your location says bridgewater, but that could be Bridgewater Canal, Bridgewater Somerset, or ? In recent years I rarely have problems getting a 4G, or at worst a 3G signal, but there are occasional holes in coverage. Whereabouts does the  router live on the boat? Close to a window, or in a cupboard? Does it work OK, for a bit, then need turning off and on again (engineer reset). If the former, then moving it near a large window, if available will let it get a better signal. Beware of direct sunlight, that could overheat and kill it though. Happened to one of mine. There are external aerials to go outside the boat, depending on the model that will help in a poor signal area. If it needs frequent resetting, then a firmware upgrade might help if available. What model router? 

 

Jen

[rustydiver]

13 minutes ago, Jen-in-Wellies said:

In addition to the voltages going up to 14.4V or so during charging, there can be much higher short term spikes in voltage from things like water pumps turning off. If a 12V gadget is designed and marketed for use in vehicles, it should have been designed to cope with the variable input voltage and spikes and can be safely connected to the boats 12V ish supply. Everything else, the safest course is to have a 12V to 12V stabiliser between the boats 12V and the gadget. You might not need it at all. The gadget might last years before it is killed, or it might fail very quickly without. You just can't tell

Where is your boat mostly? Your location says bridgewater, but that could be Bridgewater Canal, Bridgewater Somerset, or ? In recent years I rarely have problems getting a 4G, or at worst a 3G signal, but there are occasional holes in coverage. Whereabouts does the  router live on the boat? Close to a window, or in a cupboard? Does it work OK, for a bit, then need turning off and on again (engineer reset). If the former, then moving it near a large window, if available will let it get a better signal. Beware of direct sunlight, that could overheat and kill it though. Happened to one of mine. There are external aerials to go outside the boat, depending on the model that will help in a poor signal area. If it needs frequent resetting, then a firmware upgrade might help if available. What model router? 

 

Jen

We are on the Sharpness gloucester Canal. 
The router works fine it’s a TP link one, when it’s switched on I have a outdoor solwise omni direction aerial fitted. It’s when I’m just using my phone on Three. The wife is on EE and she rarely drops signal. ??

17 minutes ago, Alan de Enfield said:

 

This is the one I have

 

 

 

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/12V-5A-60W-Car-Caravan-DC-adapter-power-supply-for-TOSHIBA-TVs-Brand-new/391816279549?epid=1639284078&hash=item5b3a11f5fd:g:71oAAOSwNX1eyWJB

 

Cigarette lighter plug (can be replaced if necessary by whatever 12v plug type you have.)

Can get 'adapters' for the other end to suit all sorts of plugs (equipment). The plug fitted will fit into the adapters :

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/8-in-1-Universal-Charger-Adapter-AC-DC-Power-Tips-Connector-for-Laptop-Notebook-/313016513662?hash=item48e13cf47e

Thanks that’s great. I’ll look into it and get one on order. 
The cigarette plug will be cut off and wired into a on off switch in the cupboard. All fused. 

Edited July 27, 2020 by rustydiver
More added.

[Jen-in-Wellies]

7 minutes ago, rustydiver said:

The router works fine it’s a TP link one, when it’s switched on I have a outdoor solwise omni direction aerial fitted. It’s when I’m just using my phone on Three. The wife is on EE and she rarely drops signal.

You seem to have the router side sorted then. I had a similar phone problem where I used to moor, which had a very poor signal from the network I was with. Could only make phone calls outside, stood on the rear deck. Fine in summer, a bit grim in winter. One of the perils of being in a steel box!

Jen

[Detling]

If you have the inverter on 24/7 to supply a fridge or cooker etc then it really doesn't matter the inverter standby current is likely to be enough to power the router without taking any extra. That said my router is USB powered via a car USB regulator, but I get no variation on the inverter current whether my 240v radio is on or off.