replacing 12v cigarette plug and socket with a better type of connector, ?Superseal?

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FairweatherDave

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We use a trad car cigarette lighter power connection below decks for our camping fridge but we find sometimes the plug gets knocked and the fridge loses connection. I want to replace it with something more reliable, and it does not need to be a surface mounted connection, the plug and socket can just lie hidden away. So I found Superseal connectors, eg this one
Superseal 1.5 Series Waterproof Connector Pair - 2 Way
which looks perfect, but the installation video refers to £47 special crimpers! I'm guessing I can probably get away without the crimpers but I was wondering if anyone would recommend another product. I have seen the Bulgin website and seen Wago 221 connectors but Superseal looks the best ie robust, but detachable on an annual basis. Any pointers appreciated, ..... or experience of Superseal without special crimpers.
 
I have four pin versions of them on the headlights of my kit car. Very fiddly to install and seem a bit on the lightweight side. I have had Bulgin plugs and socket on my autopilot for years, totally reliable and easy to fit.
 
Bulgin are quite bulky and have got expensive. I have used these ones which are in two sizes either 13A or 30A in the 2 pole version. Inline and bulkhead versions of both pin orientations are available.
You need to be able to solder which will be easier on the larger version.
CPC plugs
1697124990087.png
 
andsarkit said:
Bulgin are quite bulky and have got expensive. I have used these ones which are in two sizes either 13A or 30A in the 2 pole version. Inline and bulkhead versions of both pin orientations are available.
You need to be able to solder which will be easier on the larger version.
CPC plugs
View attachment 165660
Click to expand...
Are they more bulky than cigar lighter ones? Not sure there is much in it and I know which is the more reliable😄
 
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FairweatherDave said:
We use a trad car cigarette lighter power connection below decks for our camping fridge but we find sometimes the plug gets knocked and the fridge loses connection. I want to replace it with something more reliable, and it does not need to be a surface mounted connection, the plug and socket can just lie hidden away. So I found Superseal connectors, eg this one
Superseal 1.5 Series Waterproof Connector Pair - 2 Way
which looks perfect, but the installation video refers to £47 special crimpers! I'm guessing I can probably get away without the crimpers but I was wondering if anyone would recommend another product. I have seen the Bulgin website and seen Wago 221 connectors but Superseal looks the best ie robust, but detachable on an annual basis. Any pointers appreciated, ..... or experience of Superseal without special crimpers.
Click to expand...
I had the same problem with my portable freezer and I'm now using a wagos and, so far, all good.
 
Thanks all. The Bulgin do look good if a bit pricey, but my soldering is pretty poor. Some seem to mention a screw rather than solder? By comparison the Wagos look a doddle and since location is below deck they would do the job. They claim to be reusable so okay for annual connection/disconnection??
 
vyv_cox said:
Are they more bulky than cigar lighter ones? Not sure there is much in it and I know which is the more reliable😄
Click to expand...
Not much in it for cigar plugs but the SP13 ones are much cheaper, smaller and a higher current rating and also come with fitted dust caps. I have been pleased with the ones I used but as the OP is not keen on soldering they are not an option.
1697132920890.png
 
FairweatherDave said:
Thanks all. The Bulgin do look good if a bit pricey, but my soldering is pretty poor. Some seem to mention a screw rather than solder? By comparison the Wagos look a doddle and since location is below deck they would do the job. They claim to be reusable so okay for annual connection/disconnection??
Click to expand...
Definitely no problem reusing them - I regularly disconnect the freezer from the wagos to use that supply for a paddle board air pump.
 
My fridge has a socket on the body of the fridge, it came with a 12V lead with a fag lighter plug and a mains adaptor.
One could hard wire the 12V lead into the boat.
I have kept the fag lighter connector as it means I can use the fridge in my car.
Those connectors vary in quality, some of them lock into some of the sockets tolerably well.
If yours falls out too easily try a different plug or socket.
 
FairweatherDave said:
Thanks all. The Bulgin do look good if a bit pricey, but my soldering is pretty poor. Some seem to mention a screw rather than solder? By comparison the Wagos look a doddle and since location is below deck they would do the job. They claim to be reusable so okay for annual connection/disconnection??
Click to expand...
I am hard wiring mine in using Wago but as B27 it does mean you lose the ability to plug into the car or use the mains adaptor without wiring on another cigar lighter type plug.
 
Tranona said:
I am hard wiring mine in using Wago but as B27 it does mean you lose the ability to plug into the car or use the mains adaptor without wiring on another cigar lighter type plug.
Click to expand...
The fridge came with a single lead for 12volts and a cigar connector, so my plan was to use a second connector to the cigar lighter plug. This enables me to retain the delusion that my wife will come land camping with me again...... :).
 
MontyMariner said:
Do you take the fridge home with you or does it stay on the boat?
If it stays, why not hard wire it in?
Click to expand...
The fridge stays on the boat all summer (so far), and we do have another camping fridge, so hard wiring this one is not unreasonable, particularly since we would need to buy a transformer thing to run it on mains electricity. I just hate reducing the capability of the fridge to run off a cigar socket as designed.
 
We use Anderson plugs for our moveable fridge and moveable solar panel. You can get waterproof versions (though if you have been using cigarette socket types you will not be worried about damp). I have wired Anderson plugs (you will find they can be used as the plug and/or socket) for our 4x4. You can source brackets to hold that part you want as the socket.

I had a thread on these plugs not long ago which part summarises members usage and little tricks.

Anderson Plugs

I believe commonly used in caravans - retail outlets for which might be more convenient for you but readily available on eBay etc.

Jonathan
 
If you can find them then Clipsal is old school and very high quality. Will cope with high ampage. Our boat was installed with them in every cabin. I have things like an electric blanket and high power laptop charge on them. I try also not to mess about with cigarette lighter sockets. They're rubbish.
 

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For DC power Anderson plugs are popular and available in various sizes. If you need something a little smaller XT-60 plugs and sockets are another popular standard.
 
FairweatherDave said:
We use a trad car cigarette lighter power connection below decks for our camping fridge but we find sometimes the plug gets knocked and the fridge loses connection. I want to replace it with something more reliable, and it does not need to be a surface mounted connection, the plug and socket can just lie hidden away. So I found Superseal connectors, eg this one
Superseal 1.5 Series Waterproof Connector Pair - 2 Way....
Click to expand...

Not what you want, Superseal are a semi-permanent in-line connector, Too tight and fiddly for regular plugging and unplugging.
 
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