Waterproof 2-pin panel connector?

Neil

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Just recently invested in a Sinmrad TP10 tillerpilot. Was a little chagrinned (cheapskates!) to find that it came with bare wires and needs must I buy a connector. I did buy a Goldenship waterproof deck connector but it's massive! I don't really fancy a huge metal lump sticking out, ready to impale my back. Ideally, I'd like a recessed socket to go on the bulkhead but a trawl of the 'net has not revealed what I'm looking for. Any ideas?
 
I have Dri-plugs/sockets for all outside 12v appliances.

I haven't checked if they have also recessed sockets, but waterproof they certainly are.



Edit: seems they have no recessed sockets, real dimensions are a cylinder of about 3.5cm diameter, a couple of cm high
 
My Raymarine autohelm has a plug/socket arrangement that whilst not flush, only sticks out a little and the plug is angled at 90˚ so the wire does not stick out. It is 3 pin but you only need to use 2 of them.

It is the one to the right in this diagram - Oval plug D236 & Oval socket M81180

http://www.marinechandlery.com/prod.../raymarine-st1000-2000-tiller-pilot-plug.aspx

Here's the plug on eBay

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Autohelm-...tEquipment_Accessories_SM&hash=item56455f2001

Here's the socket from a US supplier

http://www.davesmarineelectronics.c...Talk-Remote-Control-Plug-Socket-Assembly.HTML

Hope this helps
 
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+1 Bulgin, but my TP20 came with the waterproof socket, which is a Bulgin. That's terrible if they aren't giving you the socket any more...
 
I don't really fancy a huge metal lump sticking out, ready to impale my back. Ideally, I'd like a recessed socket to go on the bulkhead but a trawl of the 'net has not revealed what I'm looking for. Any ideas?

If you go the Bulgin/Driplug route, you can get a fairly discreet surface-mounted socket, but when the plug is in it sticks out about 80-90mm from the surface, which I don't think is ideal. A neater solution is a 90degree plug, but the one Davewarburton has linked to is really intended for SeaTalk connections only and I'm not sure I'd be happy about using it for tillerpilot power, nor am I convinced about its waterproofing. The slimmest 90degree power connector I've seen is the Aquasignal 80100 plug and socket, which only protrudes about 35mm from the surface and is rated for 16A current, and is IP65 waterproof.
$(KGrHqJHJFMFDVgqZypDBQ3jhhT2k!~~60_35.JPG
 
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If you go the Bulgin/Driplug route, you can get a fairly discreet surface-mounted socket, but when the plug is in it sticks out about 80-90mm from the surface, which I don't think is ideal. A neater solution is a 90degree plug, but the one Davewarburton has linked to is really intended for SeaTalk connections only and I'm not sure I'd be happy about using it for tillerpilot power, nor am I convinced about its waterproofing. The slimmest 90degree power connector I've seen is the Aquasignal 80100 plug and socket, which only protrudes about 35mm from the surface and is rated for 16A current, and is IP65 waterproof.
$(KGrHqJHJFMFDVgqZypDBQ3jhhT2k!~~60_35.JPG

pvb you may well be right. However, the Raymarine fitting I refer to was on the boat when I bought her and has worked faultlessly for 10 years. The mounting is on the back of the cockpit open to all weathers and has never been a problem.
 
the one Davewarburton has linked to is really intended for SeaTalk connections only and I'm not sure I'd be happy about using it for tillerpilot power

The instructions for my tillerpilot showed a plug exactly like that one being used for power. That pilot didn't have any data inputs, just power and an internal compass.

The previous owner had got rid of it and used a 2-pin driplug instead though. Personally I thought the driplug was a poor choice for that task, as it was very stiff to get on and off. Fine for connections at the base of the mast etc.

Pete
 
I did buy a Goldenship waterproof deck connector but it's massive! I don't really fancy a huge metal lump sticking out, ready to impale my back.

I don't know your boat but why would you put it where it can impale your back? Surely there is somewhere less intrusive, maybe even inside a cockpit locker with a small slot for the wire.
 
My Raymarine autohelm has a plug/socket arrangement that whilst not flush, only sticks out a little and the plug is angled at 90˚ so the wire does not stick out. It is 3 pin but you only need to use 2 of them.

It is the one to the right in this diagram - Oval plug D236 & Oval socket M81180

http://www.marinechandlery.com/prod.../raymarine-st1000-2000-tiller-pilot-plug.aspx

Hope this helps

A bit pricey!

The others are still not quite what I'm looking for, but perhaps they're the closest thing available...
 
Another vote for Driplugs

and a smear of silicone grease around the O ring makes them a whole lot easier to plug in and unplug again
 
Do the Bulgin sockets come with a cap so that they can be sealed when not in use?

That's what is says on the tin:

Flush Mounting Socket- 2 Pin - A waterproof plug & socket system designed to withstand immersion to a depth of 10metres, unaffected by salt water. easy to install, reliable and trouble free.
Supplied with sealing cap for when not in use.


• Screw Termination
• Rating 10A/250v (ac/dc)
 
Do the Bulgin sockets come with a cap so that they can be sealed when not in use?

Yes, though the rubber strap thing that keeps the cap to hand when not in use is a bit feeble. I found a guest on KS had nearly torn it off by screwing the cap on without allowing the strap to rotate.

Pete
 
The main issue for me was that since I didn't need the extra functionality of the Raymarine ST1000, I'd thought to save a few bob on the Simrad, but by the time I've paid for two different connectors, I could have bought the Raymarine one that comes with a connector.
 
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