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Natev2 · Feb 11, 2009, 06:37 PM

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

Stratmando · Feb 11, 2009, 06:55 PM

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.

Natev2 · Feb 11, 2009, 06:58 PM

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.

stanfortyman · Feb 12, 2009, 05:05 AM

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.

Fr_Chuck · Feb 12, 2009, 06:29 AM

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.

Natev2 · Feb 12, 2009, 06:35 AM

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.

Stratmando · Feb 12, 2009, 06:44 AM

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.

KISS · Feb 12, 2009, 07:26 AM

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 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.

Natev2 · Feb 12, 2009, 02:51 PM

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

stanfortyman · Feb 12, 2009, 03:00 PM

Originally Posted by Natev2

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?

Natev2 · Feb 12, 2009, 03:02 PM

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.

Stratmando · Feb 12, 2009, 03:14 PM

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.

Natev2 · Feb 12, 2009, 03:15 PM

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.

Stratmando · Feb 12, 2009, 03:19 PM

You might as well make it a Flying Bus, this may give you some ideas:
Flying Rc Truck - Video
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.

Stratmando · Feb 12, 2009, 03:34 PM

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

stanfortyman · Feb 12, 2009, 03:52 PM

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

Natev2 · Feb 12, 2009, 06:30 PM

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?

Stratmando · Feb 13, 2009, 12:11 PM

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

Natev2 · Feb 13, 2009, 09:38 PM

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.

Rivethead · Feb 13, 2009, 09:53 PM

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