Cigarette lighter plugs
Submitted: Saturday, Apr 02, 2022 at 11:07
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143493
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Member - Tony M26
Some of my plugs bounce out. I'm not planning to change this one to Anderson. I haven't tried the Merit brand, they look OK. Has anyone found a good one?
Reply By: Member - John - Saturday, Apr 02, 2022 at 12:57
Saturday, Apr 02, 2022 at 12:57
Tony, you answered your own question, Merrit/Hella Plugs...............
AnswerID:
640053
Follow Up By: Member - Tony M26 - Saturday, Apr 02, 2022 at 13:20
Saturday, Apr 02, 2022 at 13:20
Thanks
John
FollowupID:
919121
Reply By: Olsen's Tours and Training - Sunday, Apr 03, 2022 at 09:03
Sunday, Apr 03, 2022 at 09:03
I've never had an issue with Merit plugs jumping out, but my preferred method is andersons.
AnswerID:
640065
Follow Up By: Member - Tony M26 - Tuesday, Apr 05, 2022 at 02:35
Tuesday, Apr 05, 2022 at 02:35
Thaks Olsen's
FollowupID:
919146
Reply By: Rangiephil - Monday, Apr 04, 2022 at 21:17
Monday, Apr 04, 2022 at 21:17
To me it's horses for courses.
Where I want or need a large current draw like a compressor, then Anderson.
Where I need lower current like fridge Merit /Hella.
For small currents like battery charger I use the small red/black Andersons as they are very compact.
I do not use Anderson for link to caravan as I have seen one disconnect then be destroyed on a dirt road , which left the owner stranded with no fridge until I supplied a spare.
Supercheap do a positive locking 2 pin 50 amp plug that positively locks the same way as a trailer plug.
AnswerID:
640086
Follow Up By: Member - Tony M26 - Tuesday, Apr 05, 2022 at 02:33
Tuesday, Apr 05, 2022 at 02:33
Thanks for the useful information Rangiephil,
I was aware of neither the 15A Andersons nor of the 2pin SCAs
FollowupID:
919145
Reply By: DRB - Wednesday, Apr 06, 2022 at 10:48
Wednesday, Apr 06, 2022 at 10:48
If you need to use a cigarette socket type plug/power connector try the LION Heady Duty Accessory Plug LA115G6 rated at 180w. Over many years I have tried several other brands of plugs for use in the boating & 4WD environment. Wiring of this plug is awkward but once assembled the 4 spring terminals provide very strong locking and work reliably with heavy loads if mated to the correct components.
AnswerID:
640101
Follow Up By: Member - Tony M26 - Wednesday, Apr 06, 2022 at 11:34
Wednesday, Apr 06, 2022 at 11:34
Thanks for identifying these DRB, I actually saw one of the 4 spring terminal units years ago but haven't been able to find them since.
Tony
FollowupID:
919161
Follow Up By: DRB - Wednesday, Apr 06, 2022 at 18:49
Wednesday, Apr 06, 2022 at 18:49
This LION plug is currently available for purchase on eBay but I have seen then for sale in one of the major auto accessories shops, Repco I think. After many years of experimentation in trying various types of plugs I now only use Anderson plugs or the Lion plugs for my various boating & camping equipment.
FollowupID:
919164
Reply By: OzzieCruiser - Wednesday, Apr 06, 2022 at 12:11
Wednesday, Apr 06, 2022 at 12:11
Merits work OK but I have found wrapping a thin rubber band around a standard plug or putting a thin O ring around around a standard plug also works as good as a Merit.
ARB plugs and sockets are the best as they lock in but then you have to change every one you have as nothing else is common and you have to make up an adaptor for standard items you may want to use.
AnswerID:
640102
Follow Up By: Member - Tony M26 - Wednesday, Apr 06, 2022 at 13:00
Wednesday, Apr 06, 2022 at 13:00
Thank you OC.
FollowupID:
919162
Reply By: phantom - Friday, Apr 08, 2022 at 21:36
Friday, Apr 08, 2022 at 21:36
I’ve used the Engel screw in connectors and found them to be very good.
AnswerID:
640133
Follow Up By: Member - Tony M26 - Saturday, Apr 09, 2022 at 10:16
Saturday, Apr 09, 2022 at 10:16
It looks like the main thought is to stay away from the 'el cheapo' plugs. The discussion has given me a few ideas for my Troopy tug. Engel appear to have some good options.
Thanks phantom
FollowupID:
919196
Follow Up By: OzzieCruiser - Saturday, Apr 09, 2022 at 12:32
Saturday, Apr 09, 2022 at 12:32
Unfortunately Engel plugs are not compatible with anything else so you have to change everything over and make adaptors to allow appliances with normal plugs to be used.
FollowupID:
919198
Follow Up By: phantom - Saturday, Apr 09, 2022 at 20:47
Saturday, Apr 09, 2022 at 20:47
I’ve changed the normal male plug on appliances to the Engel type plug.
Only needed to do this on a couple of appliances. A bit fiddly but no real big issues and a solid connection
FollowupID:
919214
Follow Up By: Member - Boobook - Wednesday, Apr 13, 2022 at 07:26
Wednesday, Apr 13, 2022 at 07:26
I haven't had an engle fridge for years, but have had bad experiences with cig lighter sockets and Merit for fridges. I always use Engle plugs and sockets now. I also take the opportunity to replace as much of the fridge cable as possible to get thicker cabling.
While Andersons would even be electrically better, the Engles can usually replace cig lighter sockets and are more attractive.
FollowupID:
919236