12v socket pain (1 Viewer)

[MyrtleGuru]

Is it just me or have others had trouble with those CBE/C-Line-style 12v sockets? After numerous blown fuses, I decided to carefully examine the design: it appears to differ fundamentally from the 12v sockets found in the base vehicle cab or in a car. The positive and negative contacts seem way too close for comfort and easily shorted by certain plugs during plugging or unplugging. This is not helped by a wide variation in the physical design of the 12v plugs, so some are more likely to cause a short-circuit than others and some don't even stay plugged in.

I assume there are multiple manufacturers of these types of socket -- I don't know if they are all as troublesome. In the end I gave up on mine and made my own replacement by taking a C-Line blanking plate and drilling a hole in it to take a standard 12v vehicle socket (after checking there was enough clearance behind the existing socket).

 

[pappajohn]

Can't understand why folks still fit this unreliable type 12v socket.
DIN/HELLA sockets are infinitely more reliable and lock secure...and they're rated at 16amps.
Easy to cut off the old cig plug from appliances and fit DIN/HELLA plugs.
You don't even need a soldering iron.

 

[MyrtleGuru]

Can't understand why folks still fit this unreliable type 12v socket.
DIN/HELLA sockets are infinitely more reliable and lock secure...and they're rated at 16amps.
Easy to cut off the old cig plug from appliances and fit DIN/HELLA plugs.
You don't even need a soldering iron.

The DIN/Hella looks like a far superior technical design. A shame they did not catch on and the majority went for the inferior sort. It's a bit like Betamax vs VHS, wasn't Betamax supposed to be better? The problem is most 12v stuff is made for the majority so doesn't use Hella and, while you can change the plug if it has a lead, some of the stuff I have has the plug moulded into the body of the device (USB chargers, mozzie coil, etc.), so needed to go with the majority unfortunately.

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[hilldweller]

Is it just me or have others had trouble with those CBE/C-Line-style 12v sockets?.

No, it is a poor design. If you don't insert the plug square it's all too easy to bend the positive gripper.

 

[John.]

Can't understand why folks still fit this unreliable type 12v socket.
DIN/HELLA sockets are infinitely more reliable and lock secure...and they're rated at 16amps.
Easy to cut off the old cig plug from appliances and fit DIN/HELLA plugs.
You don't even need a soldering iron.

Would the above be suitable for an Endless Breeze fan 36w input?

The existing fan cigarette plug has an inbuilt 4amp fuse.
So perhaps a daft question but this socket will only be used for the fan should I fuse it at 4amp at the leisure battery or higher with an inline fuse at the fan end.
Thanks.

 

[tonyidle]

View attachment 185419
Would the above be suitable for an Endless Breeze fan 36w input?

The existing fan cigarette plug has an inbuilt 4amp fuse.
So perhaps a daft question but this socket will only be used for the fan should I fuse it at 4amp at the leisure battery or higher with an inline fuse at the fan end.
Thanks.

Fuse it at the battery end to suit the wiring from there to the socket and leave the 4A fuse in place to look after the fan & its flex.

Incidentally (and not aimed at you specifically) there is a type of Hella-style plug that is compatible with both Hella and cig lighter sockets which is of use if you have both types of socket. One like this:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/12mm-Ciga...607822&hash=item58dd831c51:g:IUMAAOSwF1dUTqPn

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[Lenny HB]

Unfortunately even Hymer don't use the Hella plugs and sockets any more, haven't done for quite a few years.

 

[Reallyretired]

My Rapido has the Hella socket (Originally only 1 but I have fitted others)

A problem I have found is if they are left plugged in for a long period (many months/years) the plug seems to corrode, I don't know if this an electrolytic thing but I have had to replace a couple of plugs. It only seems to be the plug that corrodes and its the negative pole only. It doesn't happen if they are left unplugged.

 

[tonyidle]

Unfortunately even Hymer don't use the Hella plugs and sockets any more, haven't done for quite a few years.

Very true .

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[tonyidle]

My Rapido has the Hella socket (Originally only 1 but I have fitted others)

A problem I have found is if they are left plugged in for a long period (many months/years) the plug seems to corrode, I don't know if this an electrolytic thing but I have had to replace a couple of plugs. It only seems to be the plug that corrodes and its the negative pole only. It doesn't happen if they are left unplugged.

That will happen with any of them but noticeable on the Hella because of the normal close fit. A spray of contact cleaner will prevent it.

 

[jockaneezer]

There used to be a common problem in the R/C model world where leaving things plugged into a DC supply, led to a phenomenom known as "black lead" where the negative wire or lead would turn black and start to corrode, causing supply problems, usually affecting the current carrying capability.