grotty so- called marine plugs and sockets

[pappaecho]

In November last year I fitted a 15 watt solar panel to my new boat, and it worked fine. In early march, the battery banks was losing ground in terms of voltage. On investigation about 18 volts (unloaded) was coming from the solar panel but only about 9 volts was appearing at the battery connection. The Marine Water proof plug and socket was the fault.
On another solar panel installation done two years ago exactly the same problem has occurred. In April sunshine 20 volts at the panel but only 12.4 volts via the plug and socket system. - remove the plug and socket and replace with terminal block and the system works fine.
These plugs and sockets are sold by most chandlers, and they seem to be OK for high wattage connection, but now in two cases, the relatively low wattage 12-15 watts, seems to be affected by high resistance due to dulling of the brass connector pins and sockets.
Anyone know of either a good make of plugs/sockets for this application or possibly gold plated plugs and sockets, suitable for solar panels

 

[salamicollie]

Deck gland from Index Marine and a choc block below decks is the only absolutely reliable connection, I now only use a plug where I have to regularily connect and disconnect, not for once a year like the connections at the base of the mast

I've found Dri plugs are OK as are Bulgin Buccaneer or mini buccaneer - available from rs components. If you look in the RS catalogue are 100's of possibilities at some frightening prices (£200 crimp tools to fit the pins!) for Mil-spec connectors.

 

[Evadne]

I concur. I changed from the above-mentioned grotty plugs to Dri plugs and they are infinitely better. I've used Buccaneer at work in trying circumstances, and found them to be good too (as long as you don't tread on them too hard!)
If you're looking at non-"leisure marine" plugs, any spec. to IP67 or higher should be better, but the professional or military ones, Lemo for example, are expensive. Truly waterproof plugs, wet-matable etc. are even more prohibitive.

 

[jerryat]

Yep, agree!! Dri-plugs are excellent, just need a smear of Vaseline (or the like) once a year on the 'O' rings to make pluging and unplugging easier.

 

[DaveS]

Re: Not so grotty marine plugs and sockets

I know it goes against the "conventional wisdom" but I agree with the above supporters of plugs / sockets. I've had far better experience with both dri-plugs and Buccaneers than my current deck glands (not, admittedly, in their first flush of youth) which are very prone to leaking unless lots of goo is smeared over them. I use vaseline on the brass pins and socket tubes as well as the O rings and I think it makes a real difference. The same trick works with 16A shore power connectors: vaseline everything metal, including the shell fastening screws, before doing them up and they last for years; leave them dry and they may well need replacing annually.