12v Sockets & Accessories

About this range

Reliable 12 volt outlets make life on the tracks easier, whether you are charging phones, running a fridge or topping up camp lights. This range features Mean Mother gear including a 12V power control box, Anderson style connector units, and a combined cig socket and dual USB panel.

Order online with Australia-wide shipping, or have your 12 volt accessories wired in properly at our Burwood workshop in Melbourne's east. Call 03 9808 8966 to plan your power setup.

3 products

Buying guide

Dual battery and 12 V power explained

A second battery runs your fridge, lights and charging without touching the starting battery. Modern vehicles and lithium batteries change how that system should be built.

  1. Smart alternators

    Many late-model vehicles have smart alternators that vary their voltage. A simple isolator doesn't charge a second battery well from these, so a DC-DC charger is recommended (Redarc).

  2. Where lithium can go

    Lithium batteries must not go in the engine bay: the heat is too much (Redarc, Enerdrive). They go in the cabin, tub or canopy.

  3. Charge it correctly

    Lithium needs a charger with a lithium profile, and most can't be charged below 0 C unless the battery is heated. Don't mix battery brands or sizes in one system (Redarc).

  4. Sizing solar

    Work out how many watt-hours you use a day and divide by 5 to 6 sun hours to size your panels. A panel laid flat can lose up to 38% of its output (Enerdrive).

Choosing 12 volt sockets and accessories

Map out what you actually plug in. Phones and tablets want USB outlets, plenty of accessories still run from cig style sockets, and high draw gear like fridges and compressors is better served by Anderson style connections that will not vibrate loose on corrugations. A combined panel, like the Mean Mother unit we stock, covers several needs with one tidy install.

Wiring quality decides whether it all works when you need it. High current accessories need correctly sized cable and proper fusing, and every connection point is a chance for voltage drop, so keep runs short and joins clean. A power control box helps organise circuits in a canopy or drawer fitout. If wiring is not your thing, our Burwood workshop can lay it out and install it for you.

Related categories

Common questions

Do I need a DC-DC charger?

If your vehicle has a smart alternator, yes: isolators charge poorly from them. A DC-DC charger also gives the second battery the right charging profile, including for lithium (Redarc).

Can a lithium battery go under the bonnet?

No. Battery makers say lithium batteries can't handle engine bay heat and must not be installed there (Redarc, Enerdrive).

Lithium or AGM?

Lithium needs a charger with a lithium profile, a location out of the engine bay and, below 0 C, a heated battery to charge. Compare usable capacity and weight on each battery's specifications, and follow its maker's mounting guidance.

How much solar do I need for a fridge?

Add up your daily use in watt-hours, then divide by 5 to 6 sun hours (Redarc). Allow extra if the panel will lie flat or sit in shade.

Can I run my fridge off the starting battery?

You can, but you risk a flat battery and no start. A second battery with a DC-DC charger keeps the starting battery for the engine.

Keep going

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