Your car's 12V outlet is probably one of its most overlooked features.While many drivers only use it for an old-fashioned cigarette lighter or a phone charger, it can power a surprisingly wide range of useful accessories, from dash cameras and tire inflators to portable coolers, vacuum cleaners, and even heated blankets.The key is knowing its limits.
A 12V outlet can make an older car significantly more useful without expensive modifications, but high-power accessories can draw more electricity than your vehicle's system is designed to handle.As long as you check your car's wattage limits and choose compatible devices, this little socket can become one of the most versatile tools in your cabin.In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturer websites and other authoritative sources.
Related 8 useful things you can plug into your car's OBD2 port Plug in all the things.Posts By Cory Gunther 1 12V USB charging adapter Better than charging through your car's built-in USB ports Despite all the advancements made to the technology available in car interiors, automakers are still getting simple things wrong.If you've ever tried to use the built-in USB port in your car to charge your phone, you likely know firsthand just how slow they can be.
Wireless charging pads are just as bad, and they superheat your phone.Most of the time, the power that you get is barely enough to trickle charge your device, let alone get it to full charge.Instead, plugging a simple adapter into your 12V outlet and charging your phone from there is often much more effective.
The 12V port delivers more than enough power to charge your smartphone, and there are a number of options out there that will charge your phone as quickly as it charges at home.2 Add a dash camera to your car Record any incidents on the road It is so easy for a small incident to transform your daily commute into a nightmare.From accidents to traffic stops, having a video log of anything that goes down can be incredibly valuable.
A lot of the time, situations can boil down to one person's word against another's, and having video proof of how things happened can keep you out of trouble.There is a wide range of dash cameras on the market.Models powered by the 12V outlet can range from simple front-facing cameras to front, rear, and interior multi-camera systems.
3 A tire inflator to keep you moving Particularly useful if you like off-roading Another accessory that can make use of your 12V outlet is a portable tire inflator.It can be a lifesaver in a pinch.If you have a slow leak and you just need enough air in your tires to get you home or to a repair shop, a portable tire inflator can be a big help.
If you're an off-roader, and you're constantly changing the pressure of your tires depending on the terrain you're traversing, it can also come in clutch.While there are a lot of really cheap options out there, we think it's better to spring for a slightly more expensive model.These can be powered either via their battery pack or through a 12V outlet.
Related 6 ways to play CDs in a modern car Spin up your driving tuned old school.Posts 3 By Sydney Butler 4 Corded car vacuum cleaners still make sense Making cleaning up after the kids easy Most car owners know just how difficult it is to keep interiors clean.Life is messy, and sometimes that mess finds its way inside your car.
This is particularly true if you're a parent, with kids not exactly being known for how neat and tidy they are.Dealing with messes can be a pain, but something that makes it a lot easier is having a portable vacuum cleaner for your car that you can use on the move.While there are a lot of options that use rechargeable batteries, sometimes a simpler solution makes more sense.
With a corded vacuum cleaner that plugs into your 12V outlet, you have essentially unlimited running time, where most battery-powered options give you ten to 15 minutes of run time if you're lucky.5 12V electric coolers to keep your drinks chilled Upgrading your outdoor adventures A great piece of kit to have if you're outdoorsy or just like a crisp, refreshing beverage on the move is a 12V cooler.Whether you're wanting something that can store a couple of cans or something that can act as your fridge while you're out in nature, a cooler can be a great addition to your car.
Depending on the amount of space in your car you're willing to dedicate to the cooler, you have a choice of a bunch of different shapes and sizes.6 Travel kettles for brewing coffee on the go Nothing better than a freshly made coffee If you're on the road a lot, and you don't have the time or the constitution to find a new coffee place everywhere you go, then a little portable kettle for your car is a great bit of kit to keep in your car.Again, this is another great option if you're an avid camper or overlander, making it pretty simple to brew some coffee while on the move.
Models that plug into the 12V outlet are pretty common and work really well.It is worth noting, though, that because they only have the 12V outlet to draw power from, they do take a little longer to come to a boil.On average, they take around 15 to 20 minutes to come to a boil.
Related Your car's phone mount might be blocking this important part of your airbag A hidden hazard lurks behind many dashboards as mounts meet a passenger airbag's forceful path.Posts By Sydney Butler 7 Heated blankets to keep you warm The cold doesn't have to bother you There is nothing worse than sitting in your car, teeth chattering, while the cold weather sets in.Whether you're road tripping, tailgating, or car camping, cold weather can be nasty business.
In these situations, having a heated blanket can be a blessing.There are a couple of models out there that you can buy that come with a 12V power cord, plugging directly into your car as a power source.They're lightweight and foldable, making them easy to store.
Looking for a model with a built-in safety timer is also a good idea, as they shut off after a set amount of time to make sure they're not draining your car battery too quickly.8 A 12V inverter Great for older cars with few plugs The list of gadgets that we have to plug in while out and about in our vehicles is ever-growing.A lot of modern automakers acknowledge this and include a number of different kinds of power outlets in your car.
However, not all of us drive brand-new cars, and sometimes a 12V socket and (maybe) a USB-A port is all you have.In that case, an inverter can be invaluable.These devices convert the DC power from the 12V port into AC power, giving you traditional outlets to plug your devices into.
It's important with everything on this list to make sure that you're not trying to draw more power from your car than it can handle, but this is particularly true with inverters.Make sure you're not exceeding the wattage specified in your car's user manual and make sure you're using the inverter while the car is running.Your 12V socket in your car is more versatile than you think Whether you're looking for bits of kit to elevate your camping experience or you're an avid fan of road trips, there are a bunch of useful bits of kit that can make use of your car's 12V socket.
From adding a couple more charging ports to your car to running things like coolers or kettles, the 12V port is an incredibly underutilized port.
Read More
