What the heck is this?

[wgkenney]

Hi All,

On my diesel panel in the cockpit I have a "plug" that I'm not sure of its function. See the attached photos. Any thoughts on what this is for? I'm the second owner on this Beneteau 473 and did not discuss this plug with PO (did not really notice it until this summer!). It is a Yanmar diesel with the instrument panel shown in the pictures.

Any help would be great.

 

[gpdno]

It's a waterproof 12V connector. Maybe to plug in your Autohelm, GPS, spot light, etc... Nothing to do with your engine

 

[Ross]

Probably correct. what does the other side look like?

 

[wgkenney]

Probably correct. what does the other side look like?

I have not searched the other side yet. If it is a 12v connector (which would be handy) what would the other side look like?

 

[wgkenney]

It's a waterproof 12V connector. Maybe to plug in your Autohelm, GPS, spot light, etc... Nothing to do with your engine

Is if for a special application or is there a generic 12v connector that will fit into it?

Thanks!

 

[kloudie1]

Yup.. probably for the Q-Beam spotlight.. here is the plug:
http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?path=-1|328|49758|112306|316467&id=846701

 

[LANCE ON CLOUD NINE]

I have also seen a high quality removable cockpit lamp that uses a plug like that. It has an upright sort of traditional looking small lamp shade. Sorry do not know the brand.

 

[wgkenney]

Yup.. probably for the Q-Beam spotlight.. here is the plug:
http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?path=-1|328|49758|112306|316467&id=846701

That is the connector for sure. Thanks.

 

[Ross]

It will have wires going to it and maybe an inline fuse.

 

[navigator97]

Check to see (measure) if there is 12V DC there all of the time, or only when one circuit breaker is on. Could it be to connect a remote cable for an Autohelm steering system if you have one). You need to do a little detective work. It would be helpful to have one person in the cockpit with a volt meter and one in the cabin operating various circuit breakers, includinf the Main DC Breaker. I have the same socket that is "hot" all the time that the battery selector is set to one (or both) batteries, even when the Main DC Breaker is off. That socket (of mine) is for a plug in spot light.

 

[wgkenney]

Check to see (measure) if there is 12V DC there all of the time, or only when one circuit breaker is on. Could it be to connect a remote cable for an Autohelm steering system if you have one). You need to do a little detective work. It would be helpful to have one person in the cockpit with a volt meter and one in the cabin operating various circuit breakers, includinf the Main DC Breaker. I have the same socket that is "hot" all the time that the battery selector is set to one (or both) batteries, even when the Main DC Breaker is off. That socket (of mine) is for a plug in spot light.

I'll check it this weekend. I have an autopilot so no autohelm installed. Boat is a 2006. I do have a breaker on the DC panel for 12v lights (or maybe outlets) which I have never been able to find what it controls. This might be it. I can use meter this weekend to see.

Since I just found this I have not searched through my misc stuff that came from the PO for anything with a two prong plug.

Would seem like a handy plug for the cockpit. Just have not seen much 2 prong DC equipment. Most of my DC plug in is for a cigarette lighter adapter (have a plug for one right on the DC panel).

 

[Joe]

It's a waterproof, 12 volt connector as the gpdno says. I have one for my tiller pilot. It could be for any appliance that you want a waterproof connection in the cockpit. It is much more secure that the cigarette lighter type.

 

[wgkenney]

It's a waterproof, 12 volt connector as the gpdno says. I have one for my tiller pilot. It could be for any appliance that you want a waterproof connection in the cockpit. It is much more secure that the cigarette lighter type.

Are there any adapters that work with this or does the appliance need to have a two prong cord?

 

[gpdno]

Not sure if you can buy an adapter plug. West Marine does sell the two-pronged plugs and it is easy enough to cut-off the cigarette plug and instal the two-prong.

 

[Joe]

Are there any adapters that work with this or does the appliance need to have a two prong cord?

Don't make it two complicated. Change the receptacle or change the plug on the appliance, or make your own adapter... should be relatively easy if you know how to use a soldering iron. Heres the piece:

http://www.westmarine.com/buy/products/2091-round-body-connectors.html

 

[RobertLangdirect]

It is where you can find . . . EVERYTHING

Not sure if you can buy . . . West Marine . . .

Dang, I was thinking . . . eBay! You know, the place where you can find . . . everything.

So, yesterday, quite literally, I walked over to the "local" WM store (about 3 miles as the crow flies so it was a good hour long walk) to buy 22 feet of 3/8 inch white w/red flakes rope and 22 feet of white with green flakes rope.

I needed to replace my traveller ropes. It should cost about a buck (more or less) a foot.

So, guess what? They have no 3/8 white w/green flakes rope. So the lady offers that I buy half inch rope, or 1/4 inch rope, because it "probably won't make a difference, or solid green w/white flakes rope. Cool, I think, until I notice thay what she has offered me is 22 feet of white w/red flakes and 22 feet of solid green w/white flakes.

Why is this, I ask that they do not have matching color? She answers, NER must be having production issues.

Really?

Well, off to eBay I go because, eBay is where you find everything, including 22 feet of 3/8 inch white w/red flakes rope AND 22 feet of white with green flakes rope (even if I have to buy 25 feet.

I would be pretty sure that on eBay you can find what you need.

 

[DAVA390]

Re: It is where you can find . . . EVERYTHING

The plug looks the same as the cabin top plug in for the mast light on my P18. One pin appears slightly larger than the other,as it is on my plug.