Thread: What type of electrical connectors for accessories?

Captain, you have me baffled.

I’ve walked on them and on a couple of occasions, when I have put them together in the wrong combination, I have tapped them with a hammer to get the to release and never had one break.

May be as you posted, the Jaycar ones are made of a more brittle plastic.

The problem is that there is nothing else out there that is as small and can safely handle up to 30 amps.

I use a few merit plugs and the good old cigarette lighter type plugs and sockets but both are limited to 20 amps and 16 amps respectively.

And the household type, two pin plugs are limited to 10 amps ( and are huge )

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not worried about druming up business it just that I haven’t come across anything as small and normally, as reliable but as always, I am interested in hearing about anything new.

I like the previously mentioned 2-pin polarised T-plugs/sockets, e.g. Clipsal 402/32 socket and 492/32 plug as used in home 32 volt DC power installs but they are damn expensive.

left field alternative:

Neutrik - Lighting - PowerCon® 32 Amp

rated at 32 amps for AC, but work fine in my experience for 12 volt sources. used by pro-musicians/lighting guys all over the world for many years and widely available...oh and cheap

Hella plugs get my vote too.

The great thing about them is that they don't fall out when on bumpy ground. I've even got them in the back of the truck to charge camera batteries while on the move.

If you can't find them & are feeling rich... You can also get them from BMW Motorbike spares as BMW use them for their motorbike accessory sockets.

HTH

M

I'm not sure what they are called but I like the fridge style plugs. I have converted a few things to take them and this week am going to install a few extra points in the back of the disco for them.

I like the look of the anderson ones though but I will wait to hear the outcome of the brittle plastic.

Xav

Originally Posted by Xavie

.........I like the look of the anderson ones though but I will wait to hear the outcome of the brittle plastic.

Xav

I've got a few anderson plugs in use and don't share the experience of them being/becoming brittle. (various sources including Incisors shop)

1 x mounted on the winch solenoid box (full sun/weather 24/7)
1 x mounted under rear bar for camper trailer (painted w. black spray enamel = protected or chemical effected ?)
1 x on camper trailer for pwr connex (full sun/weather 24/7 ...from before my time ... dunno how long it's been there)
1 x pair inside car for invertor mounted on cargo barrier
1 x pair for an extension lead

I've just mounted another (yesterday) on the back of the camper and am intending to wire up my 12v compressor to use them as well (so I dont have to open the bonnet and use those stupid battery clips) .... about to fit one on the back of Annettes car for the camper

So, success all round for me with them, and a vote from me.

Stevo

(betcha I break one now)


Awwww forgot ..... my drill has one too

I use the Anderson connectors too. Mine are sourced from overseas but look the same as yours.
Are you sure there is not any sideways stress or vibration being put on your connectors ? The only problem I've had with any connector physically breaking ( including Anderson and Hella connectors ) is where it was protruding into the cargo space some piece of equipment has been pushing against it, sitting on top of it, or struck it, or the cable itself has been putting undue sideways stress on it.

The correct name for these connectors are Anderson PowerPoles
and the 30 amp ones, the ones being covered here, have been used by ham radio operators for years. That's where I got onto them originally.

They like them because the handle the higher currents and the plugs can take a fair bit of abuse.