JimBollman wrote: I switched our landline to Verizon Home Phone Connect. It lets you connect all the phones in your house to a box that uses the cell phone system. Costs us $25/month with all the taxes, free long distance, caller ID, voice mail, etc. It has a battery backup so it even works during power failures. With a 2 year contract the equipment was free. I think there was a $35 startup fee. We used it for 10 days on a temporary number to be sure we were happy (they give you 2 weeks to cancel) and then had our old number transfered. We have used it for over a year now and are still happy. We even take it on trips and plug it in at night with a small phone so we can get our messages and have our home numer to return calls. Even made up a 12 volt cord for the camper.
Jim...
So Jim, what exactly did you use to operate from 12v?
also, Jim
The Mercury
light of the morning, looking for shelter in this thunder and this rain
2012 Sportsmobile MB Sprinter, 2500 EB Tall, 12vdc no inverter, Queen platform bed
(Delivery Taken 7/23/12)
The wall wart on the Home Phone Connect is 12 volts DC so I just looked through my junk box of cords and wall warts till I found the same connector and put a lighter plug on the cord (making sure I had the polarity correct). You could do the same thing at any place that sells adapters(Radio Shack, Best Buy ...), mine just happen to be free since I had the parts (don't throw much away). Might even find it all put together for some other application.
I have had people tell me I should be careful because battery chargers but out around 13.5 volts when we are plugged in at a camp grounds but we used it all last Summer, probably 7 weeks total all together and had no trouble.
I run my Home Connect from a 12 volt DC battery that has a small charger on it. That way the system is operational during power interruptions. The connector I used was a Size M Coaxial DC Power Plug (2-Pack)
Model: 274-1569 from radio shack. Also power it in my 5th wheel and TV when travelling.
Again, you all are awesome with all the responses. I now have several avenues we can explore and see what DH and I can agree on which would best serve our purposes. Thanks to all of you! Please continue with any ideas you have.
Just an update...DH decided he likes the Magic Jack Plus option best, so he purchased it today. He used to have the regular Magic Jack a few years ago, so he is somewhat familiar with it. We will see how it works for us.
Again, thanks to everyone for all your responses to my original question.
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