Anderson plugs ain’t Anderson plugs, Sol!

**p38arover** · 15th September 2024, 11:09 AM

I have a number of 50A “Anderson” plugs for different auto/camping needs.

Some of the plugs are quite difficult to separate, in fact, they require a screwdriver inserted into the gap between the plugs to force them apart.

I tried just the plastic housings without the terminals and it made no difference, they are still very difficult to separate.

Aha, thought I. It must be dimensional differences between genuine Anderson and Chinese knock-offs.

I was wrong (partly). Yes, the knock-offs are hard to part from the genuine Anderson but perfectly OK when used with their own matching brand and other non-Anderson brands. But the genuine Anderson plugs are almost impossible to separate. I think I’ll need to buy the T-handle attachments for the Andersons or just throw them away and use the knock-offs.

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**BradC** · 15th September 2024, 11:22 AM

My experience with Anderson and knock offs hasn't been great. I ended up replacing all of the various knock offs with Anderson shells.
Anderson also do high force and low force contacts. The high force certainly contribute significantly to the connect/disconnect friction.

**Slunnie** · 15th September 2024, 11:50 AM

My very basic experiences are to keep the colours the same also, eg the light grey ones and the red ones look exactly the same, but they dont mix.

Grey goes with grey and red goes with red.

**BradC** · 15th September 2024, 11:53 AM

Originally Posted by Slunnie

My very basic experiences are to keep the colours the same also, eg the light grey ones and the red ones look exactly the same, but they dont mix.

Grey goes with grey and red goes with red.

Indeed. Only Grey and Black use the same keying. The remainder are colour for colour only. The great thing about the Anderson connector though is if you do have the wrong colour you can simply pop the contacts out and swap the shell.

**drivesafe** · 15th September 2024, 01:25 PM

I have only ever used genuine Anderson plugs.

I don't how many times customers have rolled up with a problem with their "Anderson" plugs and they have been knock-offs.

Also note, genuine 50 amp Anderson Connectors are rated at a continuous load of 95 amps, while many of the knock-offs would be lucky to carry 50 amps.

And it is not just the plugs but the terminal size.

I have seen knock-offs with terminals as much as 1/3 smaller size ( width ) than a genuine Anderson plug.

Today, genuine Anderson plugs are as cheap as many of the knock-offs.

**austastar** · 15th September 2024, 01:56 PM

Hi,
A bit of strap and 2 screws works for me.
Cheers

**Tins** · 15th September 2024, 07:03 PM

Hmm.... Maybe a seat belt?

IMG_6049.jpg

**BradC** · 15th September 2024, 08:16 PM

Thats why my SB50 wants to become when it grows up.

**Tins** · 15th September 2024, 08:25 PM

It's an SB350, and they are a PITA to disconnect. My OKA had them for a front or rear demountable winch. Sounds like a great idea but it isn't.

**Saitch** · 16th September 2024, 08:10 AM

Originally Posted by drivesafe

I have only ever used genuine Anderson plugs.

I don't how many times customers have rolled up with a problem with their "Anderson" plugs and they have been knock-offs.

Also note, genuine 50 amp Anderson Connectors are rated at a continuous load of 95 amps, while many of the knock-offs would be lucky to carry 50 amps.

And it is not just the plugs but the terminal size.

I have seen knock-offs with terminals as much as 1/3 smaller size ( width ) than a genuine Anderson plug.

Today, genuine Anderson plugs are as cheap as many of the knock-offs.

My local auto electrician showed me the difference between genuine and fake, a few years ago. Quite noticeable, when you know what to look for. One plug, that I'd purchased from an auto store, had a flaw in the contact's 'Seating' bit.

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