12V Power Sockets and Plugs

**101RRS** · 16th December 2012, 06:43 PM

I guess most of us have experienced the problem of cigarette style plugs not maintaining contact when bouncing around offroad and ending up with warm beer.

Now there are alternative plugs and sockets that lock together and prevent the problem but many pieces of electrical equipment comes with standard cigarette plugs and may have to be used in different vehicles etc.

So - is there a socket that will take standard cigarette style plugs that will not allow the plug to become unplugged.

Thanks

Garry

**manic** · 16th December 2012, 07:11 PM

You can get marine grade cigarette lighter sockets that lock. You need to use it with a locking plug but AFAIK the plug will work in normal sockets also.

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Marine-Grade-Cigarette-Lighter-Socket/dp/B0002KRC5Y/ref=pd_bxgy_auto_img_y/180-1601945-0311568"]Amazon.com: Marine Grade Cigarette Lighter Socket 12 VDC: Automotive@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41b3IDFjlfL.@@AMEPARAM@@41b3IDFjlfL[/ame]

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Marine-Grade-Locking-Cigarette-Lighter/dp/B0002KRC5O"]Amazon.com: Marine Grade Locking Cigarette Lighter Plug 12 VDC: Automotive@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/21kUAy8P12L.@@AMEPARAM@@21kUAy8P12L[/ame]

**DoctorJ** · 16th December 2012, 07:58 PM

G'day Garrycol, I find that it's only the fridge that I need plugged in 24/7 so I have that as a merit plug and the others I have as a cigarette plug as I usually use those once at camp.

Cheers
Julian

**cewilson** · 30th December 2012, 03:04 PM

A lot of the newer plugs have a plastic sleeve (normally red) on the end of the plug that allows use in a cigarette socket, however if you take the sleeve off you can use them in a merit socket (or similar).

This is what I have on all of my accessories, even rewiring a couple to suit.

**loanrangie** · 31st December 2012, 06:08 PM

Cant remember the name but it could be merit but there are plugs like Cewilson mentioned that have a spring clip in the socket to hold them in .

Found them, Arrid plugs they are called , from the 12 volt shop.

**cewilson** · 31st December 2012, 09:08 PM

Yep that's them. I get mine from Jaycar as they are convenient. The Waeco fridges come with this plug, but I can't comment on the other brands sorry.

**Chops** · 31st December 2012, 09:29 PM

Part of the problem I have found is when the plugs laying just loose in the car, the ends keeps unscrewing and then when you plug it in, it works for a while (a bit of false security happening here) then it comes out a bit more and blows the fuse.
What I have found is that useing a Narva 3X socket, they seem to be better at holding in the plugs, thus not letting them work their way loose.

Ideally, hard wiring seems to be the way to go. Roll on the Duel Bat setup

**cewilson** · 31st December 2012, 10:49 PM

I never went down the line of hard wiring as the fridges are constantly in and out of the vehicles. It would be the way to go if you know it's never going to come out.

**drivesafe** · 2nd January 2013, 08:27 PM

Another option is to use 30 amp Anderson PowerPoles

These are cheaper and carry more current and are a lot smaller than the other plugs.

The only drawback is they are only available in End-Of-line style.

You can get wall mounts.

Here are some other uses.

Sharkee · 5th January 2013, 10:52 PM

Originally Posted by cewilson

I never went down the line of hard wiring as the fridges are constantly in and out of the vehicles. It would be the way to go if you know it's never going to come out.

Just a thought hard wire it in and buy a second lead to use when pulled out of vehicle so just unplug from fridge end and use other lead for everywhere else. I have one of those dual purpose plugs on my waeco and have been let down a few times, not sure why (Waeco Gremlins)
I know the plug on mine gets damn hot when using it so I'm thinking its not getting good contact to be heating it up like that.Oh and this is the third plug I've fitted to this fridge. Mine is run through a mobitronic 240/12v thingy that also has 2 x other screw contacts for acc's, instead of using the 12v socket intended for the fridge which has given me grief a few times I'm going to hard wire mine into those terminals as I never use it out of the vehicle and that way I can still use the 240v side of it.

Steve

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