melting

[nickcred]

Hi All

Recently purchased one of these http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_756417_langId_-1_categoryId_165650

We use it on the boat as additional food/drink storage with the old electrolux fridge

This replaced an older version that had no mains lead and had to go through a box to plug into mains. We had problems with the 12 volt cigarette type plug getting hot, and distorting to the point that the end fell off and had to purchase spare leads.

When we saw this I thought maybe the problem had been the mains power adaptor. However having run this one directly pluged into the cigar socket on the boat the same issue. The plug gets hot, melts and the end drops off. Any thoughts what could be causing this. Should I give up and buy a more expensive model. Maybe three way model like this http://www.mobilegas.co.uk/mobilecoolbox/gasfridgefreezerunit/combicool.htm

Or is it something to do with the socket rathert than a cheaply made plug. It is only running on 12 volts when we are travelling, car and on the river. Otherwise it is using 240 volt from shorepower or the honda genny.

Appreciate your thoughts

Nick

nb interestingly have just picked up a thread in google that says it is built by Waeco and badged for halfords, which looking at the range one of the models is the same but different colour and handle

 

[davidej]

Is it drawing more amps than a ciggy lighter plug/socket is designed for?

 

[mikefleetwood]

At 3-4A for the Halfords model (from their product Q&A), I don't see why the cigar plug should be overloaded. It may be that it's not making proper contact - high contact resistance leading to overheating? Try giving the metal contact surfaces a gentle rub with emery (or fine sandpaper), followed by a squirt of WD40.

Changing the fridge won't fix the tendency of the connector to overheat. The new model you suggest is twice the current (although you can run it from 230V if available, or gas).

 

[nickcred]

Thanks

Thanks guys

Having read a lot of reviews other people dont seem to be having the problem, i.e running it for longer periods than I with no melt down

The socket it is plugged into is probably as old as the boat i.e. 32 years old and in the cockpit so a bad connection sounds very likely. Will try cleaning it up but also will fit a new socket I think and see if that fixes the issue.

Cheers

Nick

 

[VicS]

Car type cigarette lighter sockets are fine for car type cigarette lighters.

For anything else they are bad news. They are likely to make poor contact and overheat if the item draws much current.

There are versions on the market in which the plug locks in. If you must use that type of connector find a plug and socket of that type other wise use a decent connector.

Small Peltier element cool boxes draw about 4 amps continuously and AFAIK none are controlled in any way. I am surprised the large ones don't draw more. A compressor based fridge may draw more ( 7amps in your example) and therefore will require an even better connection but are thermostatically controlled and in the end much more efficient.

 

[TQA]

I have a boat where all the 12v stuff was wired with cig. lighter plugs and sockets.

I have melted two [both on my smaller inverter. ]

Basically not good engineering if you are drawing more than 3 amps continiously.

 

[nickcred]

Thanks

I have a boat where all the 12v stuff was wired with cig. lighter plugs and sockets.

I have melted two [both on my smaller inverter. ]

Basically not good engineering if you are drawing more than 3 amps continiously.

Thanks Guys

So why do they sell them as suitable for boats? Halfords also sell spare leads (at almost 25% of the cost of the entire box) so I am assuming it is a common problem? They also seem pretty badly/cheaply made. with the last model we must have replaced 3 leads as they simply plugged in. With this model I will need to rewire a new plug. Hopefully i will be able to source a better quality plug.

 

[maxi77]

For several years we ran a small pelier cool box on the boat with no problems, it now resides in the Bongo and once again no problems.

I do though use good quality sockets and plugs and that helps. On my present boat though the fridge, now a compressor one is permanently wired into the switchboard.

 

[pvb]

Hopefully i will be able to source a better quality plug.

Use a DIN plug and socket; these have a positive click-in contact for the positive connection. You can Google for them, or see here for starters.

 

[nickcred]

brilliant thanks for the link, will give that type a try

 

[sarabande]

if you have not modified the plug then Halfords are normally excellent at replacement of faulty goods. Have you taken it back to them ?

 

[nickcred]

When I took that previous model back they struck me a deal on the ""new improved" version I have now. A good one to be fair. Concern is what do I replace it with

 

[alan17]

Overheating socket

Thanks Guys

So why do they sell them as suitable for boats? /QUOTE]

I accept that this answer is cynical but the truth is because people buy them!

Cigarette lighter sockets are often fitted in enclosed spaces and their design is enclosed. The result of this is poor heat dissipation. A poor contact leads to heat being generated and this leads to an even poorer electrical contact. The only solution is a for this is a far better designed plug and socket (din type as already mentioned).

Car ciggy lighters are generally fused at 10 amps but this is only for short term use (a couple of minutes) not the continuous use of a fridge. Din types are frquently rated at 16 amps continuous. Far better for the use of fridge like appliances.