What is this socket?

[James W]

As you can see it's on the deck forward of the mast, but surely it's not an old shore power socket is it? Much too fragile and wet for that?

Your thoughts please!

 

[MoodySabre]

It's a dri-plug. I have them there for lights up the mast. I also have an anchor that can plug in to one.

 

[VicS]

As you can see it's on the deck forward of the mast, but surely it's not an old shore power socket is it? Much too fragile and wet for that?

Your thoughts please!

It looks like a "Driplug" socket

It wont be for mains voltage A 12volt supply for an anchor light, or a hand held spotlight perhaps.

 

[sailorman]

As you can see it's on the deck forward of the mast, but surely it's not an old shore power socket is it? Much too fragile and wet for that?

Your thoughts please!

poke a volt meter probes in it & get somebody to throw switch`s until one works

 

[James W]

It looks like a "Driplug" socket

It wont be for mains voltage A 12volt supply for an anchor light, or a hand held spotlight perhaps.

That sounds about right, the wiring was in no way man enough for anything more than 12V.

Thanks to all, problem solved!

 

[MM5AHO]

Could also be for a control point for a windlass? (plug in hand switch)

 

[prv]

Could also be for a control point for a windlass? (plug in hand switch)

Seems unlikely with only two conductors, though I suppose it's not impossible.

Pete

 

[Otter]

It's a dri-plug. I have them there for lights up the mast. I also have an anchor that can plug in to one.

Must be a very small anchor - I know it's good holding on the East Coast but wow!

 

[ksutton]

I have a one in a similar location where I plug the 12 volt air pump for inflating the tender.

 

[elton]

That sounds about right, the wiring was in no way man enough for anything more than 12V.

Thanks to all, problem solved!

12V generally has to use heavier duty connectors and cable that 240V, because it requires bigger currents to do the same job.

That aside, I have one of those in the cockpit on present and previous boat to power the autohelm.

 

[Richard10002]

That sounds about right, the wiring was in no way man enough for anything more than 12V.

Thanks to all, problem solved!

As per eltons comment, the lower the voltage, the higher the Amps, thus the thicker the wire required.

If the wiring isn't "manly', make sure you don't plug anything to powerful into it.

If you can trace it back to source, you might find a fuse protecting the wire. This might give a clue as to how manly it is?

 

[st599]

That sounds about right, the wiring was in no way man enough for anything more than 12V.

Thanks to all, problem solved!

Surely wiring is specced for current. So for a given power, a higher voltage would require smaller cables but better insulation.

 

[VicS]

The 2 and 3 pin Dri Plugs are suitable for low voltage use only. Up to 50 volts.

Their max contiuous current rating is 10 amps.

If it is to safely carry 10 amps the cable should be no less than 1.0mm² cross-sectional area.

If the cable run is more than a short distance (about a metre or so) heavier cable will be required than indicated by the current carrying capacity to avoid excessive voltage drop

 

[MM5AHO]

If it were for operating the solenoid on a windlass, then only two conductors required.