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Anderson Plugs

Submitted: Wednesday, Mar 05, 2003 at 09:36

raybates

Hi can anybody go into further details regarding Anderson plugs. I live in Ravenswood and do not want to wander all over the state to look for something that is not suitable for my needs.
I am using a 1993 FZJ landcruiser to tow a caravan and I have a Trojan deep cycle battery mounted on the drawbar. The plug that I am using at presant is a large round 7 pin type but only 4 of the 7 pins are in use as this plug is only used to charge the auxillery battery and run an Electrolux fridge in the caravan.
One problem that I have is that the 7 pin plug is not too posotive in its connection which in turn produces a dirty connection.
Would Anderson plugs cure this problem? And does anyone know the approx. price of these plugs or any alternatives?
Thank you
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ThreadID: 3669 Replies: 7
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AnswerID: 14484   Submitted: Wednesday, Mar 05, 2003 at 10:49

Bob Y. replied:

Piranha catalogue (07/2000) Melbourne, show Anderson Plugs-50 amp @ $19.80; 175 amp @ $23.10. Only ever seen one in use and it was to drive a winch on vehicle recovery trailer, so they must work. Hooroo...
Reply 1 of 7
FollowupID: 8740   Submitted: Wednesday, Mar 05, 2003 at 14:56

Member - Melissa posted:

Bob,

Price sounds right but only for one end. Don't forget you need 2 ends...

:o) Melissa
FollowUp 1 of 1
AnswerID: 14486   Submitted: Wednesday, Mar 05, 2003 at 11:29

Member - Chris replied:

Anderson plugs are designed to be self cleaning in that the spades of the connector arms provide a good contact when pushed together. They also are of a positive lock type that 'click' when good connection is made. They are also designed so that you can't reverse the polarity by putting the plug on upside down, and are easily marked for assembly.

Easy to do, solder the connections, use 8mm cable, use a 50A model and, if possible, isolate the second battery from the truck battery via a solenoid or electronic gizmo.

My second battery is as yours, in the trailer, and is connected through a solenoid and anderson plug - it's fine.
Reply 2 of 7
AnswerID: 14492   Submitted: Wednesday, Mar 05, 2003 at 13:04

Member - Mal replied:

Hi all,
Does anyone know where you can buy Anderson Plugs in Brisbane?
Thanks,
Mal T.
Reply 3 of 7
FollowupID: 8739   Submitted: Wednesday, Mar 05, 2003 at 14:54

Member - Melissa posted:

Most good auto parts outlets stock them.

:o) Melissa
FollowUp 1 of 1
AnswerID: 14494   Submitted: Wednesday, Mar 05, 2003 at 13:17

Gordon replied:

Anderson Plugs are available from Ashdown Enterprises who have a branch in Townsville and in answer to Mal's query, they have a branch in Brisbane.
Reply 4 of 7
FollowupID: 8731   Submitted: Wednesday, Mar 05, 2003 at 13:31

Rod posted:

'Springers' at Strathpine sell Andersons ($17 per half for the 50A) and Rotronics at Kelvin Grove also sell them (call first to check stock).
FollowUp 1 of 2
FollowupID: 8737   Submitted: Wednesday, Mar 05, 2003 at 14:10

Member - Mal posted:

Thanks Gordon and Rod,
Ashdowns are just down he road at Archerfield and have them for $16.50 each side. I'll have a set this afternoon .
Thanks again,
Mal T.
FollowUp 2 of 2
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AnswerID: 14497   Submitted: Wednesday, Mar 05, 2003 at 14:13

Member - Mal replied:

Raybates,
After I've picked one up this afternoon I'll describe it to you if you like so you can decide on its suitability.
Mal T.
Reply 5 of 7
FollowupID: 8759   Submitted: Wednesday, Mar 05, 2003 at 19:09

raybates posted:

Thank's Mal. I would appreciate that
FollowUp 1 of 3
FollowupID: 8780   Submitted: Thursday, Mar 06, 2003 at 09:26

Member - Mal posted:

raybates, I don't know why they are so expensive because there is nothing to them. However they are a clever design in that both sides of the connection are the same part. You just turn one side over and they slip together. They have a plastic body with metal blades inside which slide together as you slip the plugs together. They each have two lugs that you solder or crimp the wire (about 8mm I think) to and you then push the lugs in the rear of the plugs to make contact with the blades. Providing you connect the wires to the plugs as marked (+ and -) you can't connect the plugs the wrong way round. Clear as mud eh?
Hope this helps,
Mal T.
FollowUp 2 of 3
FollowupID: 8781   Submitted: Thursday, Mar 06, 2003 at 09:30

Member - Mal posted:

P.S. They measure 48mm long X 35mm wide X 16mm high.
Mal T.
FollowUp 3 of 3
AnswerID: 14534   Submitted: Wednesday, Mar 05, 2003 at 21:37

firey replied:

Hi Raybates, I have an Anderson plug with a twin 6mm feed from the battery on my troopie to charge a battery in my camper while im driving. If you try and charge a battery through your pin plug it will most probably overheat.I agree with Member Chris about the use of the plug and yes it is basically idiot proof for hooking it up. I got mine through an auto electrician but ashdown's head office is at Banyo on Brisbane northside.If your wiring it up yourself put a twin fuseable link on the end of the positive for extra insurance. Ask an auto elect if you dont know what I mean..
Regard's Firey
Reply 6 of 7
AnswerID: 14699   Submitted: Saturday, Mar 08, 2003 at 22:18

Member - Nigel replied:

I use the 50 A model to connect my campertrailer battery to the aux in my vehicle. I use light starter cable for the run.

Also use an anderson plug with 6mm cable for the fridge in the back of the Patrol.

There is a bigger model available (a mate with a caravan uses them). They are quite large and rated at 150 amps (I think).

I'd recommend them. Nearly every auto electrician in the small rural FNQ town where I live sells them.
Reply 7 of 7