Hi all,

I'm not building a house anytime soon, I'm still in high school. However, I was wondering if it's legal to put a 12 volt DC system with plugs and all, in a house alongside with a regular 110 system.

Thanks
-Nate

Nate, Personally I think 12 Volts is the way to go. I keep looking for your exact question, and currenty use MotorHome or House Boat things that work with both.
12 Volts can be stored with Batteries, is silent, and with no conversion to 120 volts, better efficiency. If you are thinking about this now, you are ahead of the game.
I will try to find links to good sources of information for you. Good Luck.

Well, what I'm going to do is actually put this in a house. I collect police lights (legally, don't worry), and I'm going to want to be able to plug them into something around the house. That was my original thought.

You certainly can have a 12v system in your house. Just make sure it is installed according to the NEC.

I personally think you would be loopy to do so. The wiring alone would be prohibitive. And try to find in-wall 12v receptacles. And what about the plugs? What would you use? I doubt automotive parts are UL listed for this application.

I had a 12 vt back up system, that ran emergancy lighting and had a "plug" for a radio. It worked very well for storms and the such.

I'm not sure what plugs I'm going to use, because I didn't even know if I would be able to put a system in safely.

Chuck, what it's going to be is just another set of plugs that you can use to charge your phone, that sort of thing.

12 Volts(low voltage) drops Fast, Large wires would be needed(Maybe #6), A fuse at battery, then I would have a cigarette lighter receptacle with a fuse on a wall plate, and go up to a light in each room, a fuse on that same plate. Can't find such a thing yet, In metal conduit it would be safe. I'll keep researching as, what I do on my house, is different that what I can do on someone else's house.
I will also check latest code.

If you wanted to power limit the receptacles, you could use airplane receptacles. These, I believe, are rated for about 100 W. They are a 4 conductor, break before make kind of arrangement. So, only after the connector is fully in place, do you get power.

Apparently, there are two types and I have both. One is on an iGo.com - Power Adapters and Chargers for Mobile Electronic Devices (http://www.iGo.com) power supply for laptops and another I bought overseas because all of the 12V lighter plugs are JUNK. This is a 2 conductor fused convertible power connector from lighter to (airplane).

There may also be an auxilarry power connector that's developed for automobiles.

So, actually, you can only make the sockets active when fully plugged in. You could, in your case, run everything to a central distribution fused system with a relay that turns on the power.

All right. I need something capable of more than 25 amps, since that lightbar of mine pulls more than that.

Also, I'm going to need to track down a power supply I can use as a central unit that will provide quite a bit of amperage to run this stuff of mine.

Thanks a lot
-Nate

Also, I'm going to need to track down a power supply I can use as a central unit that will provide quite a bit of amperage to run this stuff of mine.

If you're in high school now when do you plan on doing all this?

Well, I've got to go through college first, so it'll be a while. I like to plan ahead... way ahead, kind of like with my RC School Bus project.

Is most or all of this in one room? Or light bars everywhere.
Personally I don't think RC buses work, who would be accountable, ever have a Computer freeze up on you? Same thing as Handycap wheel chairs that climb stairs, ever have a fuse blow, or an electronics device or circuit
Fail? I feel they may fall to their death.

Light bar in the master bedroom, with sockets in various places for other lights I may aqcuire.

The RC Bus isn't going to be a full size bus. It's going to be a 1/5 scale bus from a design I based on the Blue Bird Vision.

You might as well make it a Flying Bus, this may give you some ideas:
Flying Rc Truck - Video (http://www.metacafe.com/watch/yt-UfqXCYm6mQs/flying_rc_truck/)
The Power/Light socket I was thinking of would be Marine, as well as use 12 volt Marine breakers(little button pops out when tripped. )
Still can't find anyone who makes the plate, have to be custom made, I have looked for years hoping someone will produce this plate(s). I have several Ideas that work well, but local Attourneys are considered the Bottom of the barrel as far as Spineless and weasels go, Any Idea you have, they WILL Screw you.

If you don't think you can make the Bus Fly, perhaps a RC flying lawnmower will give you the feel,"Anything can Fly":
Flying Lawn Mower - Video (http://www.metacafe.com/watch/914378/flying_lawn_mower/)

I LOVE the flying lawnmower! :D
I saw that a while back.

I'd love to see that thing.

The bus'll be too heavy for flight... wait, shouldn't all this discussion about an RC bus belong in another topic?

Natev2, did you click on the Link for the Lawnmower(Blue letters)?
It wouldn't be too heave, just needs bigger engine(s).

I've seen it before.

My bus is going to be at least 100 pounds... just from the Northern Tool diesel engine.

Plus, I'm not a good pilot.

Are you looking for cigarette style outlets? How many amps do you need?

Cigarette style outlets are easy to find, I can find hundreds at Wal-Mart.

I need a plug that can handle more than 35 Amps.

A 12 volt system can be installed in your home as long as it's wired properly. Give me a few on the amp rating though - you may have to direct wire that load. There are 12 volt outlets and then there are Walmart 12 volt outlets.

On edit - 23 amps. max. - you'll have to direct wire it or split the load on two outlets if that's possible with your application.

What power supply do you plan to use - 80 amps. Total enough..

80 would be good, if I'd be able to upgrade later. It'll probably be in a closet somewhere.

I was thinkin' of getting my stuff from Autozone or something, though. Those plugs would be labeled for a specific load amount, but this lightbar of mine pulls more than I'd trust those cigarette lighter plugs for.

How about these:
Marinco 6 Gauge Wire Receptacle Adapter - Find lowest price on Marinco 6 Gauge Wire Receptacle Adapter at Shopping.com (http://www.shopping.com/xPO-Bass-Pro-Marinco-6-Gauge-Wire-Receptacle-Adapter)

80 would be good, if I'd be able to upgrade later. It'll probably be in a closet somewhere.

I was thinkin' of getting my stuff from Autozone or something, though. Those plugs would be labeled for a specific load amount, but this lightbar of mine pulls more than I'd trust those cigarette lighter plugs for.



Think RV parts and you can easily put together what you need. You'll need a converter and fuse panel (some have them built in) and proper gauge wiring. See eBay for RV converters just to get pricing and ideas. Best Converter would be a good place to contact. Those of us that restore vintage Airstreams use them a lot - Randy is a huge help there.

RV converters are small - light weight and easy to wire. You can always add another and your installation would not necessarily have to be permanent. You can get surface mount outlets for example and run your wire through surface mount wire races (HD/Lowes). Have fun...

http://www.bestconverter.com/