Thread: 12v plugs

The standard engel 12 plug does not last long term and comes out when standard plug used, even the engel screw in plug eventually fails, either from fatigue or does burn out (I have 2 in the shed like this). As a minimum I would change to a marine screw in type. Most cigarette style plugs are not really suitable long term for fridges. If using cigarette style plugs my preference is Arid type plugs. I have also use merit style plugs but have had a high failure rate with these.
Currently for my fridge I am using Anderson plugs and I get mine from Traxide (Tim) who is / was a vendor on here. I also use these on my caravan , cars, motorbikes and buggy for connecting charging systems.
My cigarette plug style plugs are Arid.

On my National Luna 95L I chopped off the Hella plug didn't like the look of the thing and put a Anderson SB 50, now I'm happy.

Anderson all the way! Anderson plugs are almost bulletproof and easy to install, if you follow a simple tip or two. For say a 50A plug there are several different sized lugs, to suit different cables sizes, to fit in each plug. Make sure you have the right size lug for your cable size, the receptacle in the lug should be larger than the cable so the solder can run down. I crimp mine as well as solder just to be sure I have maximum security as well as current flow. If you don't have a crimping tool use an appropriate sized punch. The best way to solder the lug, while holding it with pair of pliers, is to use a gas blow torch to heat the lower half of the lug, i.e. the closed opposite end to where the cable enters. Get it nice and hot then feed your solder, make sure you have a quality one with plenty of flux, in the top alongside the cable. You will be amazed how much solder disappears down there! The lug must be nice and hot or the solder won't travel down the cable. Heating the lower half of the lug ensures the solder will travel all the way down for a guaranteed positive contact that wont move with vibrations or jolts. A soldering iron won't heat the lug sufficiently to enable that to happen, in fact you will probably melt your insulation off before that happens! I have heard that the imitation plugs on ebay have lugs which is hard to get the solder to stick to but if you wait for the right listing you can get branded ones for the same price. Also they tend to come with lugs to fit 9mm squared cable. If your cable is way too small to fit the lug either double your cable over or just add more solder. And like any plug don't pull them apart using the cable as a grip! Once you are comfortable with them you will wonder how you ever used anything else! Hope this helps.


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