New Standard DC Boat Electrical Connector for Portable Appliances?

[savageseadog]

It would be nice if we boaters could come up with a decent standard DC electrical connector that's reliable and easy to wire, What I mean is something for plotters and so on. Those cigarette lighter sockets that are commonly used I find to be unreliable in connection, too easily pulled out and unnecessarily large. On the positive side they do contain a fuse. Has anyone used a connector they like?

 

[exfinnsailor]

<span style="colorurple">No</span> /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[pampas]

kettle plugs and sockets do not rust. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Phoenix of Hamble]

Funnily enough my Beneteau has a kettle/computer style connector on the electrical panel for a 12V DC take off..... brilliant, as working in IT, I have access to an endless supply of the plugs and leads, and so can sort pretty much everything to work from that..... far more robust than a cigarette lighter style connector, as well as able to handle much higher currents.....

 

[sarabande]

do you mean an iec plug / socket ?

There are waterproof ones available, but aren't they a bit large for most e.g. radio / gps power connections ?


I agree about the advantages of the amp rating.

http://www.jbn-duraline.com/duraline_multipin_plugsandconnectors.htm

 

[Phoenix of Hamble]

Yep, I do mean an iec plug..... they are a bit large, but easier and safer IMHO..... they don't work loose, and don't corrode..... not designed for use in the cockpit, but then again, nor is a cigarette lighter style power socket....

 

[philip_stevens]

I have fitted one of these TV and 12v sockets

but you can also get them without the TV socket

 

[jb2008]

IEC C7? It's a good size, not very waterproof though.

The problem with mains connectors is that they could be mistaken for mains power...

 

[jb2008]

Sorry, I meant the polarised C8 that looks similar.

 

[old_salt]

One suitable plug and socket that I have not really thought of till this post came up to use on board.
How about the 1/4" Jack Plug and Socket, used by peeps with guitar's and audio equipment also the old phone system plug in operators exchange boards.
They are robust and have stud the test of time.
It's not so expensive to make it untenable.
They come in variety of configurations for 2/3 and 4 core connections and may be more.
The are easy to connect to solder or screw depending on the type.
The sockets come in face, in line, and flush mounting.
The are suitable for both AC and DC.
Totally compatible with each other (providing you get the wiring sequence correct.
Only down side. They will pull apart easily and are NOT very water proof but then they are chrome on brass and rust prof.

 

[RestlessL]

I find the Bulgin Standard Buccaneer plugs do the job.

But I still need a couple of cigarette lighter sockets for items such as phone chargers.

 

[tobble]

think you mean jack plugs rather than phono - that's the ones you get in the back of hi fis and not nearly as robust. I've often thought about using jacks. the smaller 3.5mm ones (headphone size) might be even better for low current electronics.

The problem is that unless industry takes up a standard, you'll always be fiddling about converting your connectors and you won't be able to move bits from boat to boat.

I think it would be better to come up with some design of plug and conector which is compatible with the existing cigarette lighter format, but is more robust. For example you could have some sort of twisting lock mechanism. that way you could still take your handheld GPS etc to your friend's boat, and you wouldn't have to re-wire lots of connectors and sockets. If anyone does this, I want royalties!

 

[Wunja]

I used to use 6.3 jack plugs for navigator map light when I was rallying. and they are much more tollerant of bouncing around.

On my boat I have some other connectors which I have never seen elsewhere. They were made in (W) Germany and seem very reliable. I'll take a picture next time I'm on the boat.

Edit: Found them! The ground ring is 12 mm in diameter.

 

[Gumpy]

I wouldnt reccomend a 1/4 inch jack as its possible to short out the terminals as you plug/unplug it.
For high current I use these
http://www.neutrik.com/uk/en/audio/204_184671/Cable_Connectors_productlist.aspx
and for low current I use these
http://www.neutrik.com/uk/en/audio/204_232811/X_Series_productlist.aspx
They have the advantage that they are small and the 3 pin versions handle up to 7.5 amps. Having said that you do need to be able to solder to use them.
There is also a waterproof version made.

Julian

 

[nimbusgb]

Saw these in Maplin this afternoon while I was 'researching' exactly the same problem http://www.maplin.co.uk/Search.aspx?criteria=PM17T&DOY=6m8.

They are rated to 20 amps

They are also available here http://www.bluearan.co.uk/index.php?id=CONNL2FC&browsemode=category
for less money!

Technical info from the manufacturers here
http://www.neutrik.com/uk/en/industry/204_390365502/PowerCon%C2%AE_20_Amp_productlist.aspx

 

[mainmarine]

I'll second Bulgin Buccanneer, they come it 2,3,5,6 pin, also 50 ohm and 75 ohm coax for VHF and TV, they are waterproof and have a screw on cover to stop accidental disconnection.

 

[jonayuen]

Those connectors that VinceH has are sort of 'standard' in Sweden though some manufacturers (even HR) have drifted away from them. You can buy them at all 'boaty' stores. The 12V/mains power supply that I bought for my HP portable (I bought the thing from HP) has that connector on the end of the 12 v cable (which can be converted to a cig plug as well). I have a vague memory that this is the one that they use on airplanes that supply 12 V but I may have some bad sectors there...

A little searching reveals that it is a DIN plug (figures) and the caravan/camper market also seems to use them.

Can't find any reference to them being used on airplanes (bad sectors there) but HP must have believed in them since it was on the power cord.

Jonathan

 

[2nd_apprentice]

How about the "Jones Plug"?

# Operating Voltage: 250 VAC RMS maximum
# Current Rating: 10 Amps
# Contact Resistance: 16 Milliohms maximum
# Solder lug terminals with .093" x .062" (2.36mm x 1.57mm) wiring holes.
# Two-contact "Jones" connector is round, all others are rectangular.
# For use in cable-to-panel and cable-to-cable applications.
# Designed for light and medium duty.
# Plug prongs are .156" (3.96mm) wide and .047" (1.19mm) thick.
# Polarized to prevent wrong-way insertion.
# Plugs have projecting flat blades, sockets have recessed twin bellows
# Contact Material: Plug: Brass
# Socket: Phosphor bronze
# Contact Plating: Cadmium
# Operating Temperature: Up to +105°C