new 12v socket, and power ideas

[slowLux]

Hi, i need to replace my cig lighter as it is loose i think and causing fuses to constantly blow. My questions are, is it hard to put a new socket in and wire it up? (i suck at electrics) or can i still use my current one but just tighten it sorta thing? it will still charge things, its just when you pull the accesory out it usually blows??

Also, i have a few things that run off 12v that i would like to be able to utilize without having a mess of wires and shit all over the dash etc

battery charger, small 9l fridge, gps and maybe a phone charger later on

Ive seen these 3into 1 cigga plugs on ebay. Are they any good? and will they run 3 things at once without it blowing? just seem a bit dodgy to me. Any other ideas?

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/12V-SOCKET-REDAR ... 240%3A1318

cheers for the help

[-Scott-]

Wiring doesn't come much simpler than a cig lighter socket. +ve & -ve. The only mistake you can make is to swap them over.

I'm guessing the simplest solution would be to tighten the existing socket; movement as you pull things out is probably allowing the +ve contact to hit the chassis, so you should both tighten the socket and add some insulating material to stop it happening again.

Although I believe Redarc products are generally pretty good the price of that device seems too cheap, and the view inside one of the sockets suggests it's a simple cylinder without any "locking" features to help hold the plug in place. In my experience, that style of cheap plain cylinder allows the plug to vibrate out of the socket until the +ve pin no longer makes contact - not good in any vehicle, much less a 4wd.

If you're handy with tools, I would recommend building your own expansion board using "Merritt" sockets. Have a look at this Exploroz page, scroll down to their section on "Connectors".

Merritt plugs and sockets are sold by both Hella and Narva, and make a much more secure connection. Some plugs come with "adaptors" to let them work in standard cig socket, although the plugs with the red adaptor collar still seem rather cheap and nasty. Only use the cheapies for low power devices, like your GPS or phone, not a fridge. Buy a Hella or Narva plug (without a red collar) for a fridge - although, as the Exploroz page says, be careful if it's a three way fridge, as they can draw much more 12V current than a compressor fridge. If you want to power a three way fridge you might need to go to a dedicated outlet with Anderson style connectors - as in the Exploroz link.

[slowLux]

thanks for the quick reply

So if a similar product to the redarc is available, but with bit more of a secure 'locking' mehcanism. That would be an ok set up for a few small appliances?

that link is a bit of handy reading

[-Scott-]

thanks for the quick reply

You're welcome.

So if a similar product to the redarc is available, but with bit more of a secure 'locking' mehcanism. That would be an ok set up for a few small appliances?

Definitely. Other than the socket style, it looks like a good bit of gear.

I was a little disappointed that Redarc would make such a compromise, so I had another look - and it's not a Redarc product. Redarc doesn't appear anywhere in the ad other than in the title, which is designed to attract those looking for 4wd/fridge related gear.

I think that something like that board, using Merritt sockets, would be a good seller - even at two or three times the price.

[slowLux]

cool, cheers for the replies very helpfull indeed scott!

[murcod]

Those Anderson Powerpole plugs are worth a look. You can get them in the same shell size (small) in 15, 30 or 45 Amp ratings, and they will all "mate" with each other. (The actual electrical contact is the same size in each- only the barrel at the back that accepts the wire varies in size.)



I've just started converting my vehicles over to them and will be doing my compressor, battery charger etc. as well as fitting one next to the battery in each vehicle.

You can also get chassis plugs that they fit into. I even found a "splash proof" four pin plug and used them to wire my elec thermofans!

http://www.powerwerx.com/anderson-power ... cessories/

Just don't buy them in Australia as you'll get ripped off http://www.powerwerx.com/ is quite well priced.

[drivesafe]

Hi Murcod, that depends on where you buy them.

I carry both the 50 amp Anderson connectors and 30 amp Powerpoles and both are about the same price as the USA prices once you do the currency conversion and we supply in about 2 days after ordering.

I also have the Chassis Mount for 2 Powerpole Sets and will be selling them for $22 and ours contains 2 additional 30 amp Powerpole sets. I just haven’t had time to post them up on my web pages yet but the link below will give you the prices and Anderson products. we carry.

TRAXIDE Anderson Products

[nicbeer]

Jaycar has the merrit ones too.

i have found thou the internal connection for the combo merrit/cig plugs are poo to connect but not too bad.

[murcod]

Hi Murcod, that depends on where you buy them.

I carry both the 50 amp Anderson connectors and 30 amp Powerpoles and both are about the same price as the USA prices once you do the currency conversion and we supply in about 2 days after ordering.

I also have the Chassis Mount for 2 Powerpole Sets and will be selling them for $22 and ours contains 2 additional 30 amp Powerpole sets. I just haven’t had time to post them up on my web pages yet but the link below will give you the prices and Anderson products. we carry.

TRAXIDE Anderson Products

Powerwerx = US$9.95 for 10 sets of 30 Amp powerpoles - AUS$14.42

Traxide = AUS$2 per set x 10 - AUS$20

They can also supply a proper ratchet style crimping tool that suits the 15, 30 and 45 Amp powerpoles for US$39.95.

Delivery via airmail for a crimping tool, various powerpoles and chassis connector, splash resistant plug etc US$12.