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

[lustyd]

but the installation video refers to £47 special crimpers!

Just quoting this part of the original post for those suggesting Andersen connectors, which also need a pretty hefty crimper and are not cheap themselves.

 

[B27]

Andersen Power Pole contacts can be soldered.
£47 is the cheap end of pro crimp tools.

AMP Superseal are used on my motorbike, no problems in many years of all-weather riding.

I've recently got a couple of the SP series like this:
SP20 Panel Connector IP68 Waterproof 2,3,4,5,6,7,9,10,12,14 pin Plug and Socket | eBay
which seem quite positive and well-sealed.

There are many, many connectors you could use, but sometimes it's good to stick with convention, because you'll wan to plug in other stuff, or plug your stuff in elsewhere.

 

[Neeves]

Andersen Power Pole contacts can be soldered.
£47 is the cheap end of pro crimp tools.

If you wade through the link I offered in Post 16 you will find members who have used solder. One reason for solder is that you can deconstruct and use the terminal or socket again whilst crimping effectively makes the terminals one use only.

It has also been mentioned that Anderson plugs are not water proof. This 'might' be correct if you want IP68 but they can be sourced weatherproof - which maybe good enough and is certainly better than a cigarette socket.

Simply google 'Anderson sockets', 'water proof Anderson sockets' and/or 'brackets for Anderson Sockets' and you will get chapter and verse.

They are a bit chunky - but we like them

We have a row of USB (1 off) and cigarette sockets (4 off) as a sort of magazine, with one power cable, feeding all five outlets. Lots of LED strings come with a cigarette socket (and it does not seem worthwhile to us to change to an Anderson) but Anderson are good for heavier duty applications (our fridge freezer ice box draws about 5 amps). We use the ice box in the car and camping and as others have mentioned have a 240v option as well (dedicated cable for the ice box). Mobile solar panels work well with an Anderson, cigarette sockets are less reliable.

Jonathan

 

[Sandy]

Do you need to move this often? If not why not use bog standard insulated spade connectors.

 

[Keith-i]

What about a DIN 12v plug. This one has a sliding red piece that means it will also plug into a standard 12v socket. In it’s DIN mide it clicks into the socket so won’t accidentally fall or get knocked out.
0-601-16 Cigarette Lighter Plug Adaptable to DIN

 

[Neeves]

Do you need to move this often? If not why not use bog standard insulated spade connectors.

If this question was aimed at my post.

Once a week, when at home, we travel 50km each way to visit children and grandchildren. On the way we visit speciality shops, buy live eel, fresh fish and we share the proceeds of our shopping. We used the ice box, a fancy 'esky' in Australian, when we replenished Josepheline and used it to supplement our fridge and freezer, cools down to -17, when we did our annual cruise, 3 months, to Tasmania.

The esky has 3 cables, one for AC charging, one with a cigarette plug and one with an Anderson plug. The cigarette plug fits the car. The preferred plug is the Anderson as it is robust - but we don't have an Anderson at home (AC only), in the car (cigarette only) but we do have a camper trailer - with Andersons as standard.

Jonathan

 

[B27]

Do you need to move this often? If not why not use bog standard insulated spade connectors.

Always good to think back to basics.
It's good to prevent reverse connections, but if it's really only moved once a year options like terminal posts or whatever would do. I tend to unplug our fridge at night.

 

[lustyd]

tend to unplug our fridge at night.

When it’s at its most efficient?

 

[B27]

When it’s at its most efficient?

It doesn't really need to be on at night, it only gains a few degrees.
The insulation is very impressive.
We have the cabin fairly cool at night.

We're keeping stuff in there for a few days, not trying to stretch the use-by date of super-perishable foods.
Making a pint of milk last 5 days is good enough in my book.

It's not loud, it's just at anchor there is often very little other sound at all, it's nice to get away from the noise of fans and mains hum when you can.

 

[Sandy]

If this question was aimed at my post.

No, it was in response to the original post.

 

[Sandy]

Always good to think back to basics.
It's good to prevent reverse connections, but if it's really only moved once a year options like terminal posts or whatever would do. I tend to unplug our fridge at night.

If wired correctly you should never have reverse connections.

I always have a female connector on the negative side and a male connector on the positive side of a device. The power wire cannot then be plugged in incorrectly. You can also stagger the connections so everything lies flatter if space is tight.

If there is an on off switch at the fridge, or switch panel why unplug?

 

[Neeves]

If wired correctly you should never have reverse connections.

I always have a female connector on the negative side and a male connector on the positive side of a device. The power wire cannot then be plugged in incorrectly. You can also stagger the connections so everything lies flatter if space is tight.

If there is an on off switch at the fridge, or switch panel why unplug?

If you use an Anderson plug and socket, and it was wired correctly initially, then it is impossible to connect incorrectly (similarly to a cigarette socket can only be connected the correct way)

Jonathan

 

[Sandy]

If you use an Anderson plug and socket, and it was wired correctly initially, then it is impossible to connect incorrectly (similarly to a cigarette socket can only be connected the correct way)

Jonathan

That is one of many options.

I was giving an example of something cheap, I have a national reputation to uphold, and simple. The OP can do whatever they want.