12 volt external sockets

Submitted: Wednesday, Feb 01, 2012 at 13:14
ThreadID: 91595 Views:4550 Replies:6 FollowUps:7
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I wish to put in a couple of external 12 volt sockets on my van and just wonedering, what the most common style is? I know of the cigarette lighter socket and the smaller concentric style sockets used inside, but looking at outside and protection from dust and weather. Any help from travellers and / or commercial members appreciated.
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Reply By: Gone Bush (WA) - Wednesday, Feb 01, 2012 at 13:24

Wednesday, Feb 01, 2012 at 13:24
Hella, or Arrid plugs and sockets are the best way.

Available from the 12 Volt Shop in Kewdale (WA).

12 Volt Shop

The socket with the push in cap keeps the dust out the best.

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These are the matching plugs:

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Follow Up By: kevmac....(WA) - Wednesday, Feb 01, 2012 at 13:56

Wednesday, Feb 01, 2012 at 13:56
they were the one's I was thinking of................ thx very much............. have a 12 volt shop down here in Albany anyways so will pay them a visit
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Follow Up By: Flighty ( WA ) - Wednesday, Feb 01, 2012 at 13:56

Wednesday, Feb 01, 2012 at 13:56
Yep totally agree, and they don't have the tendency to vibrate out.
If your careful enough you can get a reasonably heavy cable into them.
Cheers
Paul

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Follow Up By: Member - Ian F (WA) - Thursday, Feb 02, 2012 at 15:17

Thursday, Feb 02, 2012 at 15:17
Regarding the Hella type plug, does anyone know what the red plastic lever/arm is for?
Thanks Ian
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Follow Up By: Gone Bush (WA) - Thursday, Feb 02, 2012 at 15:48

Thursday, Feb 02, 2012 at 15:48
The red thingy is an adapter to make it into a cig lighter plug.

When it's off it's a Hella again.

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Follow Up By: Gone Bush (WA) - Thursday, Feb 02, 2012 at 16:26

Thursday, Feb 02, 2012 at 16:26
I see what you are referring to now Ian.

I just had a look at one in my workshop and it's got me stumped.

Unless you're into a little crochet work as a way of relaxing, I can't think of its purpose.

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Follow Up By: Member - Ed C (QLD) - Thursday, Feb 02, 2012 at 17:00

Thursday, Feb 02, 2012 at 17:00
If you open up the Hella plugs (the ones with the red lever thingy on the side), you'll see they use a ceramic fuse...

Don't quote me, but the only logical purpose I can see for that red lever thingy, is to pop the fuse out (in the event that it needs to be replaced)...

Bit pointless really, as all you need to do is slip the centre connector bit out of it's slot, and the whole d@mn thing falls apart in ya hand.................

If it ain't that, then the only other thing I can think it could be used for, is an ear wax extractor........................................


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Reply By: Member -Dodger - Wednesday, Feb 01, 2012 at 16:32

Wednesday, Feb 01, 2012 at 16:32
Here just scroll down,I use Marine grade cig sockets,

I used to have a handle on life, but it broke.

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Reply By: snapper49 - Wednesday, Feb 01, 2012 at 20:59

Wednesday, Feb 01, 2012 at 20:59
I used these bought from ebay and made for external use on caravans

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/12v-cig-socket-caravan-motorhome-white-match-outside-/120674851606?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item1c18c81b16

AnswerID: 476614

Reply By: desray (WA - Thursday, Feb 02, 2012 at 00:45

Thursday, Feb 02, 2012 at 00:45
I use these http://caravansplus.com.au/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=9110
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Follow Up By: Nomadic Navara - Thursday, Feb 02, 2012 at 14:01

Thursday, Feb 02, 2012 at 14:01
I have been using those for 55 years. They are going out of favour being replaced by Merrit connectors. I replaced the last pair a couple of months ago because of corrosion (it was in the carport.)
PeterD
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Reply By: TerraFirma - Thursday, Feb 02, 2012 at 12:03

Thursday, Feb 02, 2012 at 12:03
http://www.sidewinder.com.au/page26.html

Sidewinder have some very good marine grade external sockets that I have used on an ocean going cruiser.

Scroll down to the 20A Marine Grade, very nice product.

http://www.sidewinder.com.au/page26.html

AnswerID: 476654

Reply By: Charlie B2 - Thursday, Feb 02, 2012 at 13:50

Thursday, Feb 02, 2012 at 13:50
Hi all,

Another option might be Jaycar catalogue item PS2015, a cigarette lighter-sized socket with hinged lid, not listed as waterproof in their catalogue, but the literature that came with mine suggested it is. Just one thing - if you're fiddling with it, DON'T tighten the lock ring before it's properly in place, it isn't called a lock ring for nothing!

I bought mine for exactly the kind of application that kevmac needs, but in the end I didn't have the courage to put a holesaw through the side of the Eagle Outback, so fitted it to a long-ish length of 6mm twin cable attached to my battery-bank, so I can hang it through where the canvas upper section fits into the slots in the door-frame. That way, if it's not needed outside, it can become an extra interior 12v socket in around ten seconds.

Regards,

Charlie
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