Sunday, May 07, 2006 at 11:19
Actually, it's not always the plug that is the problem.
If you look closely at most original cigarette sockets in vehicles, you should see, or feel, a couple of indentations not far in from the edge of the socket. If this is matched with a quality plug, (such as that made by Hella) the connection will have a positive locking mechanism that wont come out through vibration.
Now, having said that, I have yet to find an after market cigarette style socket, either surface mounted or "in-line", as in extension leads, that has anything but a smooth walled inner surface that nothing can lock into.
To maintain some sort of "standard" connection, the most practical solution is to use the Merit style sockets for any accessory in the rear of the vehicle.
To complement/match this you can standardise (where possible) by using the Hella Plug on all accessories used in or around the vehicle. (for lower amps use)
The Hella plug comes with a collar, usually red coloured, which connects into any cigarette style socket, preferably those with the indentations included to provide a positive lock, to reduce the effect of vibration.
By a twist removal of the red collar, you now have a plug that will connect into the Merit style socket. This connection also provides a positive locking feature. This is all that is required for lower amp usage, say up to 10 amps.
This solution is not the only one of course, but it is the most practical one for ensuring that all your 12 volt accessories (or those of your friends) will connect up without hassle. Maybe one final piece of equipment is to have a short piece of extension lead with a Hella plug on one end (connects to ciggy or Merit sockets) and an in-line ciggy socket, to cater for that odd piece of electrical accessory that only has a ciggy style plug and hasn't been converted over to the Hella plug.
For higher amperage circuits, the Anderson Connector in 50 amp size rating, should suffice for any other likely use in a motor vehicle, apart from extremely high amp usage, such as Jump starting, where the 150 amp Anderson connector can be used.
These connectors are excellent in that they are "Uni-Sexual". The one connector has a dual +/- link and can only be connected one way into another identical Anderson connector. Therefore, you don't need a separate plug & socket. These are ideal when you wish to connect an electrical circuit between a vehicle and a Camper or Caravan to charge batteries on the go.
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Follow Up By: Member - Mike DID - Sunday, May 07, 2006 at 15:07
Sunday, May 07, 2006 at 15:07
The good Cigarette Lighter sockets don't need to be expensive - KMart sells a replacement illuminated socket with Cigarette lighter for less than $7. It has
the springs that hold in the plug (if it has a collar) to maintain high pressure on the centre contact and keep it from falling out.
Here is a photo that shows the difference between the good and the bad ones.
Site Link
You can also use the smaller Black & Red 30 amp Anderson Connectors at the top of this photo.
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b356/MikeAus/Auto/PICT2566DCConnectors100k.jpg
Mike
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