12 volt sockets

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John_d_Smith

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What do you use for 12 volt sockets onboard? My boat has a mixture of those cigar lighter sockets, some of the beige square angled pin ones that seem to be favoured by caravan manufacturers. On a previous boat I had some of the old round pin style three pin sockets which seemed better but is there an alternative?
 
Ordinary cigar lighter sockets are OK for small currents, eg phone chargers. For larger currents, I prefer DIN plugs & sockets - they give a positive connection.

715654_3.jpg
 
Below decks, good-quality "cigar" sockets since that's what 90% of indoor 12v devices will be made for. Rarely use these though, since each one also has one or more USB sockets next to it and lower-power stuff nowadays almost always uses that.

On deck, substantial waterproof Bulgin plugs since I run a 30-amp dinghy inflator on the foredeck and didn't want to have a mix of sockets. So the deck spotlight and even the very low-current anchor light have the same chunky plugs.

Pete
 
One standard cigarette lighter socket below because, as prv says, that's what almost everything expects and I have a car charger for my laptop. One dual 2.1A USB charging socket (Blue Sea fast charge). One single 0.5A USB socket which exists solely to keep the mifi charged. Dri-plugs on deck.
 
prv said:
Below decks, good-quality "cigar" sockets since that's what 90% of indoor 12v devices will be made for. Rarely use these though, since each one also has one or more USB sockets next to it and lower-power stuff nowadays almost always uses that.

On deck, substantial waterproof Bulgin plugs since I run a 30-amp dinghy inflator on the foredeck and didn't want to have a mix of sockets. So the deck spotlight and even the very low-current anchor light have the same chunky plugs.

Pete
Click to expand...

Which specific Bulgin plug/socket did you use? Bulgin make loads of types.

Www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk
 
For sockets on deck, I have found they easily get damaged by being kicked or stepped upon.
So for my non-fixed solar panels I now use in-line sockets, these are Bulgin Buccaneer standard size:
sockets.jpg
 
There were a couple of cigar-lighter type sockets on the boat and I have fitted two more. Basically, they are used for recharging phones, tablets and the h/h VHF. The cockpit one would be used for a very old high-intensity lamp if needed, and is occasionally used for the anchor light.
 
In general on deck I used Bulgin sockets and below decks I used cigar type sockets. A mate used 1/4 inch jack sockets below decks and they seemed to work very well
 
Below I have 2 standard cigarette type sockets. Added a lot of USB outlets as the majority of items are now USB, I find. On deck I have retained the 3 x pin sockets because existing equipment has 3 pin plugs. The only thing I have for cigaret these days is a handheld VHF charger.
 
I have 2 cigarette type sockets at the chart table for h/h VHF, 4G router, laptop, torches and rechargeable battery charger. Another in the cockpit for led anchor light and whatever I might want there. Just fitted a dual USB 2.1A socket in the saloon and will probably put more in each sleeping cabin this winter. As I live aboard in the Med much of the time I've tried hard to only get things that charge from 12v or up to 20v using dc - dc converters. Even the very good Electrolux but Dyson look alike vacuum cleaner charges this way.
 
12 volt cigar sockets below decks. I have a selection of adaptors for USB connectors to suit a wide variety of electronic equipment that needs charging by various crew members. 12v socket to USB adaptors are dead cheap, in fact all of my connectors are freebies I have picked up from trade fairs etc.
 
I have bought umpteen "cigar" sockets including some pretty upmarket ones - because that is what equipment expects. I think they are a bit of an abomination as the plugged-inedness is not very positive and plugs can shake loose in slamming seas. The latest one on my boat claims to be designed for motorbikes. It works reasonably well, but when someone else plugs it in I still have to check that it is in correctly. There is no robust feedback when inserting it. It really is time that these were done away with in cars as well as boats. Almost any proper plug would be better - we just need a standard.
 
Amulet said:
I have bought umpteen "cigar" sockets including some pretty upmarket ones - because that is what equipment expects. I think they are a bit of an abomination as the plugged-inedness is not very positive and plugs can shake loose in slamming seas. The latest one on my boat claims to be designed for motorbikes. It works reasonably well, but when someone else plugs it in I still have to check that it is in correctly. There is no robust feedback when inserting it. It really is time that these were done away with in cars as well as boats. Almost any proper plug would be better - we just need a standard.
Click to expand...

Agreed, I hate the things. I use Bulgin SP21 plugs and sockets. Waterproof and good for 30A.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SP21-Seri...hash=item25b00d34e0:m:m9FJtPwBKgET7LDFvS6tmGQ
 
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