Better Cigarette Lighter Plug

[JK_Boston_Catalina310]

I'm sick of the cigarette lighter style plugs. I don't trust them. Looking for alternatives. So far the best I have found is the Anderson Powerpole. Any better suggestions?

Some of the devices we charge through this connection are our batteries for power tools, flood light, handheld VHF, laptops, etc.

Thanks

 

[sailme88]

Kinda like the real estate axiom.... Location, Location, Location ! Never had any issues with marine grade plugs inside the cabin. Out where the weather as access it can be different. Those pesky rubber caps are susceptible to sun damage. So the trick is to LOCATE where YOU have access but the elements ( including the sun) don't. I found such a place. I have a Scanstrut pod on the pedestal. No issue to add a power plug. It is oriented to the bottom. So it is self draining ( should any moisture get in), and is very accessible. The sun has little or no impact. It does help that there is double protection ( Bimini and pedestal/wheel cover). Good Luck

 

[sail sfbay]

Have you considered plugging in a 12 volt ubs adapter and retaining your cigarette lighter functionality for a 12 v to 110 v inverter, higher amperage devices like a small air compressor, etc.? That is what I use in my truck. Lots of options out there.

Don't Smoke? You Can Replace a Cigarette Lighter With USB

While it is possible to replace a cigarette lighter or 12V accessory socket with USB, it may not be the best option.

www.lifewire.com

Finding the Right 12V USB Adapter

If you think one 12V USB adapter is the same as the next, then you might want to think again, especially if you use Apple devices.

www.lifewire.com

 

[Stu Jackson]

Jesse, here are some options:

any better 12 volt outlets? - Cruisers & Sailing Forums

We just bought a 26 year old boat and sailed it home from Jacksonville to the Turks and Caicos Islands. What a trip. The lightning strike was one challenge we could have done without. Learned a lot

www.cruisersforum.com

 

[JK_Boston_Catalina310]

Have you considered plugging in a 12 volt ubs adapter and retaining your cigarette lighter functionality for a 12 v to 110 v inverter, higher amperage devices like a small air compressor, etc.? That is what I use in my truck. Lots of options out there.

Don't Smoke? You Can Replace a Cigarette Lighter With USB

While it is possible to replace a cigarette lighter or 12V accessory socket with USB, it may not be the best option.

www.lifewire.com

Finding the Right 12V USB Adapter

If you think one 12V USB adapter is the same as the next, then you might want to think again, especially if you use Apple devices.

www.lifewire.com

I have USB separate. This is just to replace the cigarette lighter plugs

 

[pilott]

BMW motorcycles have accessory power sockets - for heated suits and other stuff. I think they are called Hella DIN powerlet plugs. I've always found them very weatherproof. Look 'em up on Amazon for details

 

[Benny17441]

The cigarette lighter plugs have an ejection mechanism for the lighter to retract when hot. Regular 12V power plugs have nothing like that, just a friction plug. Have never had any problems with the regular 12V plugs.

 

[dlochner]

The cigarette lighter plugs have an ejection mechanism for the lighter to retract when hot. Regular 12V power plugs have nothing like that, just a friction plug. Have never had any problems with the regular 12V plugs.

Inside the 12v plug there is usually or should be a fuse.

 

[JRT]

Anderson Powerpole are very nice that a lot of top RC pilots use on 4-5 figure airplanes and jets with real jet engines. Also used in extreme 3D helicopter pilots at our field. I'd probably leave the single lighter in place just in case but make a powerpole charging connection in a convenient place for you charging needs.

I also use to compete in Ironbutt motorcycle multi day rallies and the BMW heated gear plugs mentioned above are considered the best all weather connects, another good option if your need it in a wet environment like rain for sure.

 

[JK_Boston_Catalina310]

This is a secondary panel I installed several years ago. When I went to lithium batteries I moved the inverter and I don't use that remote any more. Or the 110v outlet below. So I am considering two options.

1) remove the inverter remote and put in an Anderson powerpole outlet connected to the bottom switch.

Convert my devices to the Anderson plug and have extras for the future. I could also make a Anderson to cigarette lighter plug adapter so I can bring the devices to other boats if needed.

2) Wire the unused 110v outlet to the bottom breaker and label "12 Volt Outlets". Install 110v plug on my devices and label them as well. I could make the same 110v to cigarette lighter plug connector. My concern with this is the risk of someone plugging the wrong device into the wrong plug. I could use Euro style plugs with this approach.

With either approach the cigarette lighter style and USB outlets would remain usable.

Any thoughts on the two approaches?

Jesse

 

[dlochner]

Option 1 would be a better choice. Don't mix and match AC and DC receptacles, it is just tempting Murphy.

 

[OS2Dude]

We sail on Lake Lanier, N.E. of Atlanta GA. We have a modified triple 12v outlet in the cockpit. One is the normal outlet with cover, one was converted to accept a waterproof ethernet jack and the other for an F connector with RG-6 for an HDTV antenna. We have not had any issues with performance, corrosion, water intrusion, etc with any fitting after a few years exposed to the weather. (Cold, Storms, Sun, etc.) 12v is used primarily for a halogen searchlight.

 

[JK_Boston_Catalina310]

We sail on Lake Lanier, N.E. of Atlanta GA. We have a modified triple 12v outlet in the cockpit. One is the normal outlet with cover, one was converted to accept a waterproof ethernet jack and the other for an F connector with RG-6 for an HDTV antenna. We have not had any issues with performance, corrosion, water intrusion, etc with any fitting after a few years exposed to the weather. (Cold, Storms, Sun, etc.) 12v is used primarily for a halogen searchlight.

View attachment 178507View attachment 178507

"We sail on Lake Lanier"

We sail the Caribbean. Different world.

 

[JRT]

Option 1, would not repurpose the 110 outlets like that in option 2. Also it isn't much wire in that bundle exposed but I'd put them in a conduit, even a plastic flexible one for a bit more protection.

 

[Terry Cox]

We have several 12v sockets on our boat and have had no problems over the years. Boat came with one at the nav station and I have added five since, one in the cockpit, two aft cabin, one main cabin and one forward cabin. Very handy for all sorts of electronic devices. Also have USB adapters as well as inverters. Very versatile.

Perhaps we have suggestions if you would elaborate on your trust issues. We use ours all the time and they always work.

 

[JK_Boston_Catalina310]

We have several 12v sockets on our boat and have had no problems over the years. Boat came with one at the nav station and I have added five since, one in the cockpit, two aft cabin, one main cabin and one forward cabin. Very handy for all sorts of electronic devices. Also have USB adapters as well as inverters. Very versatile.

Perhaps we have suggestions if you would elaborate on your trust issues. We use ours all the time and they always work.

This is the charger from out MacBook Air.

 

[Terry Cox]

This is the charger from out MacBook Air.

Does the socket look the same, all rusty? No rust in ours, even in the cockpit one. Of course that one is a marine grade unit with a rubber cap/cover. All the others that I've added inside the boat were for car applications. Some pics of ours follow:

 

[OS2Dude]

"We sail on Lake Lanier"

We sail the Caribbean. Different world.

Not as far as weather exposure. We still get wind, rain, heat, cold, etc., the same as you.

 

[daviddp]

This is what I have @ the helm for USB, less than 30 bucks

ROKK

This may be an option also, good reviews:
another option

 

[JK_Boston_Catalina310]

Not as far as weather exposure. We still get wind, rain, heat, cold, etc., the same as you.

The difference is the salt. Even compared to Boston the amount of corrosion down here is much more significant.