Weird 12v socket?

I had one of those in my first caravan, we had to buy an adaptor from the local dealer which had two flat pins to fit and a 12V receiver 

like this: (I'm sure you can find cheaper ones)

http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/quest-adapt-it-3-caravanning-electrical-set-p141461?gclid=CjwKEAjwppPKBRCGwrSpqK7Y5jcSJACHYbWY_2xWkfepDzKsHAY4PZvWeIVcrq4SavM6haKo1G860xoCVojw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

This is the more usual set up now for caravans and motorhomes in common with car accessory sockets. 12v appliances now tend to come with a plug that fits this type of socket.

David

It's interesting how technology moves on I wonder how many years before people start asking what this strange sockets are?

That looks like a hella socket, they have been around for decades. First saw them in trucks with 24volt. Later in motorhomes with 12volt. You will also find them on many motorbikes. They are rated higher than cigarette type sockets and far more reliable as they are push and clip fit rather than just contact and so can take the higher load.

You can buy both plugs and sockets at Maplins.

My caravan is 16 years old, so she is indeed a bit retro. But I love her!

I met a lovely couple at the storage compound today and they showed me around their 3 year old van. Was so envious of their tv points and they even had 2 x USB ports fitted! Was a beautiful caravan.

Its quite easy to put in or change new 12V sockets, including USB to any 240V sockets, or any type you like providing the wiring is there of course. So you could change your current sockets. Your local dealer could do it for you or a mobile electrician/caravan engineer.

Our van is only a few years old but we had extra 240V with USB sockets installed at the rear of the van where there was only one. It was quite inexpensive to do I remember. If the wiring isn't there it's still not that much more. In our second caravan they ran the wire for a rear 240V socket down under the under the caravan from the control box and then up again where you want the socket.

When you say your 'ordinary tv' do you mean a 240 volt one that you use at home?

If so, clearly a 240v TV won't work from a 12v socket, whatever type of socket it is.

What  Ian says. The socket clearly says 12 volts ..... your 'ordinary' telly is 240 volts ie mains ...... that's why the plugs/sockets are completely different so you can't plug the wrong one in.

This socket is to run a 12v TV - ie those specially made for caravans, motorhomes, and lorry drivers!  You can buy one from ebay, and various other  places, but you can't simply change the socket on a 'normal' television, or get an adaptor. 

I had a 2008 van and it didn't even have one of those sockets or a 12v "cigar lighter" one all it had was normal household 13 amp ones.  

I hope you manage to get your tv working whichever source it needs - and you should be able to get an adaptor easy enough for that little socket to a cigarette lighter type for anything else you want to run.  its easy to get the adaptor for those to run USB leads too.