Thread: Mega newb question about anderson plugs

Thanks everyone.

Converting is not a big deal. I'm talking two items, my Versalite and my Engel. All I'd want is a conversion lead or two back to some kind of standard fitting in case I ever wanted to use the two items in another vehicle which only had standard 12v plugs.

If it's a good idea, I'll do it. I can have two Andersons put into the back of the D4 when I get moving on this and get the leads changed on the two items.

Originally Posted by drivesafe

And sprung loaded so they maintain a constant contact presser over their life span.

James have a look at Anderson Power Poles. They come in different sizes from 30 amp upwards.

The 30 amp Power Poles are pretty small but leave everything else for dead.

I use them for all sorts of connecting jobs.

I love Power Poles

Got LOTS in my vehicles

Anderson are the Rolls Royce option and far better than the rest.

Another option I've used are the Clipsal 32 volt plugs and sockets Clipsal 493/32 and 438/32

These are available from any place that sell electrical stuff. Not as good as Anderson plugs but much better than cigar lighter and a lot of other stuff.

Thanks, John. That's what I used on the Defender, though with the new Engel I had a conversion plug back to a lighter socket which defeated the purpose in the end.

Originally Posted by Bush65

Anderson are the Rolls Royce option and far better than the rest.

Another option I've used are the Clipsal 32 volt plugs and sockets Clipsal 493/32 and 438/32

These are available from any place that sell electrical stuff. Not as good as Anderson plugs but much better than cigar lighter and a lot of other stuff.

These are what I use on all my smaller accessories (fridge, light, shower, spotlight etc) and have done for 25 years. Never had a problem with them.

Solar panels and inverters on the other hand are where the Anderson plugs come in

Originally Posted by towe0609

I'm not suggesting that crimping anderson plugs isn't the way to go, but I've always soldered them, and have nevery had a problem. A $10 butane pencil torch is all I've ever used, and I've found it great to have all my 12v connections standardised to Andersons.

If it were me I'd cut the fridge cable, solder an anderson plug on, and relax knowing that the fridge will never come undone again. While your at it, cut off all your ciggy plugs or clamps off any 12v thingy and replace with andersons - buy in bulk and save!

I am in the process of fitting an Anderson plug to wire up my fridge in the back
I have put a plug on the wiring I fed into the back of my truck and it has red for positive and black for negative so nomprobs ........but the power cable for my Waco fridge ( the one with the pin plug on one end and the cig lighter connection
On the other ) is a twin cable with both parts black .......how do I wire to an Anderson plug when I don't know which is positive and which is negative ?

Hi Landoman, have you got a photo?

If you can still power the lead up, use a digital multi meter and measure the voltage.

If the leads are the correct way round, you will have a standard reading on the meter, EG 12.0. Your red test probe is on the positive wire.

If your leads are on the opposite wires, you will have a negative reading with the numbers starting with the minus symbol EG -12.0. Your red test probe is on the negative wire.

Originally Posted by drivesafe

Hi Landoman, have you got a photo?

If you can still power the lead up, use a digital multi meter and measure the voltage.

If the leads are the correct way round, you will have a standard reading on the meter, EG 12.0. Your red test probe is on the positive wire.

If your leads are on the opposite wires, you will have a negative reading with the numbers starting with the minus symbol EG -12.0. Your red test probe is on the negative wire.

Unfortunately I had a rush of blood and cut off the cig lighter connector before I realised what I was doing

So now I have 2 parts .....if I wire it up wrong to test if it's reading + or- will I short things if I get it wrong .......pic attached

Ps I'm using a traxide kit to get the power to the back l...it has 30 amp inline fuse