12v power - Montana Owners Club

shredder22 · 01-06-2021, 03:16 PM

I have a 3120RL and would like to run 12v power from the battery compartment to the entertainment area so I can install an amplifier for the speakers. Does anyone have any experience running this line and if so what would be the most efficient way to get from point A to point B. Just another little project to consume some down time. Thanks

BB_TX · 01-06-2021, 03:34 PM

Do you have any spare/unused fuse positions in your 12 vdc fuse panel?

shredder22 · 01-06-2021, 03:36 PM

Yes I am sure I must, I have not added anything to the panel yet.

**AZ Traveler** · 01-06-2021, 05:57 PM

Something like this might be your easiest answer.

https://www.amazon.com/Converter-Cig...df_B07DWXRD5F/

BB_TX · 01-06-2021, 06:06 PM

Running the wires is difficult unless it just happens to be in a convenient area. Something like above may be much easier if you already have a 120 vac outlet nearby. Or a small 12 vdc power supply if you need a good smooth power source.

**scottz** · 01-06-2021, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shredder22

I have a 3120RL and would like to run 12v power from the battery compartment to the entertainment area so I can install an amplifier for the speakers. Does anyone have any experience running this line and if so what would be the most efficient way to get from point A to point B. Just another little project to consume some down time. Thanks

You should already have 12V in the entertainment center. My unit has a 12VDC powered radio/cd/dvd player. As long as your current draw is not increasing too much, you could tap off this.

Running cables through these walls is not a lot of fun. If you have to do it, run your new power cable in the underbelly from the battery center to the back of the trailer (like every other wire). Use an existing wire going up from the underbelly into the area of your new equipment; pull it down with a couple strings; use one string to pull it back up, the other string to pull the new wire up.

shredder22 · 01-07-2021, 04:06 PM

Thanks for the reply. There does not appear to be an easy way and I am not sure if I want to tap into the existing power that is there I do not want to accidentally overload the head unit it could get expensive.

GHallof · 01-07-2021, 05:53 PM

I did something similar. Look behind the battery for an existing wire/hydraulic line run through the structure of the frame. That opening should run under your basement and can be seen by removing your basement wall just behind the convenience center. Once you've found that route you'll most likely notice lines running from there to the rear area of the trailer on top of the coroplast. On the DS side rear of the coroplast cut an opening or if you like, drop the coroplast. Get a fish tape and fish it from front to rear aiming for the DS rear corner. May take a few times to hit it. Get your cable and pull it thru. Take your time to not snag anything else along the way. Once done...no brainer on how to hook to batt. To get it into the slide locate the existing 12volt/110volt and cable run and fish thru. Pull fireplace out and that should expose the chase where your new wires will run beside the existing. Sounds like a lot but if you take your time it can be done cleanly neatly and safely. Must be a good size amp you want to power. It's NEVER LOUD ENOUGH!!!!

shredder22 · 01-07-2021, 06:07 PM

Gordon thank you very much, exactly what I was looking for. It may be a few day's before I get to it but I will let ya know on the results.

GHallof · 01-08-2021, 06:52 AM

I took a look back thru some stuff. Found something I thought you might find useful. The chart assists with determining the gauge of wire to use based on the distance of the run and max amps.

bcrvman · 01-13-2021, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shredder22

I have a 3120RL and would like to run 12v power from the battery compartment to the entertainment area so I can install an amplifier for the speakers. Does anyone have any experience running this line and if so what would be the most efficient way to get from point A to point B. Just another little project to consume some down time. Thanks

First I am surprised you don't have that amplifier in the AV unit. Second, the reason we use Tesla technology (AC) instead of Edison (DC) is the voltage drop on a DC circuit. Many will suggest you use a wall wart or cig lighter (there is often one in the AV center). If the place you want to run the wires is in a slide out you have to find a way to deal with the slide without causing a short. Having installed my own solar, installed remote relays for various functions etc, I can tell you the running a 12VDC line is tricky. I would use a wall wart or similar.

Billyj571 · 01-13-2021, 03:47 PM

What is a wall wart I to want to run a power cable for a amp pic plz

bcrvman · 01-13-2021, 04:08 PM

A wall wart is something you plug into a 110 outlet and it produces 12VDC. Now your wires are only a few inches long instead of 10ft. Like a phone charger but produces 12VDC instead of 5VDC. Check all your wall warts sitting in that drawer we all have full of unused electronics so you don't have to buy one.

432bartman · 01-13-2021, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shredder22

I have a 3120RL and would like to run 12v power from the battery compartment to the entertainment area so I can install an amplifier for the speakers. Does anyone have any experience running this line and if so what would be the most efficient way to get from point A to point B. Just another little project to consume some down time. Thanks

Tom, why don't you run a soundbar and bluetooth subwoofer. Might be easier. I did that with mine and it sounds fantastic. Those factory speakers are a joke. Just a suggestion.

DutchmenSport · 01-14-2021, 08:09 AM

Not sure how your speakers are wired, but could you use a USB cord for power to the speakers from your current entertainment center? Most entertain centers these days, have a USB port and can be used for a power source. Also, the back of most televisions these days have a USB port that is a power port also.

Now, if the speakers have to be hard wired for power, that's a different matter, or if they run on 120v AC.

Another option is to simply splice into an existing 12 volt power wire that feeds into your entertainment center.

Again, I don't know what your configuration is, but these are maybe a couple options you never considered.

Good luck. It will eventually get resolved for you!

MAWilsonPE · 02-08-2021, 12:59 PM

Hello Tom & Gordon,

I am looking at doing something similar. I have replaced the factory speakers in my 3120RL with Kicker 6x9's. I had to enlarge the mounting holes to get them to fit. They sound much better but I still want to add an amplifier and subwoofer (the factory head unit puts out only 6 watts per channel). I am looking at 360 watt amp which comes with a 40 amp fuse. 12 volt wiring all the way from the battery will be thick stuff. I need to measure more closely but I think it will be a ~25 foot run.

The amp/distance chart you show is for just one wire. If you plan to run both + and - from the battery then you need to double the total length. By your chart, 25ft each way is 50 feet total and requires 2 gauge wire for 40 amps!

See the attached chart I am using...

Good Luck!
Mike

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