Hella socket/useful things to do with it?

[Simon]

Since finding that the little round hole in the worktop in 'The Bus' was a 12v Hella socket I decided I'd just have to find a use for it.

Today the plug I ordered arrived so now all I need is some ingenious ideas for uses for it.

I suppose a few USB ports in the back wouldn't hurt but I've already got two in the front for our phones, along with a cig. lighter plug for the sat nav.

Anybody else have/use this socket?

 

[Ed Excel]

Beer cooler before sat nav. You need a few scoops for when you get lost!

 

[Simon]

Beer cooler before sat nav. You need a few scoops for when you get lost!

Gotta fridge. Not sure if it works on 12v yet because there's too much else to discover and fettle (we've only owned the beastie for a week), but it's supposed to be 12v/240v/gas, though we haven't got round to buying a gas bottle yet...

So much to do!

 

[GJH]

All the 12v sockets in the living area of our (German) van are Hella. We already had a couple of multi-socket adapters from when we had the previous van so I bought a couple of Hella plugs on eBay and replaced the originals. It means we can charge stuff easily on site.

 

[Techno]

I changed all the Hellas for regular sockets

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Simon]

I changed all the Hellas for regular sockets

But they're so wobbly and liable to pop themselves out. Or am I just using cheap and nasty ones? Probably.

 

[Techno]

I swapped within the CBE range of products and the regular 12 volt socket is every bit as good as the DIN type but saves messing with adapters

EDIT sorry but I meant Berker range but compatible with CBE too

Broken Link Removed

 

[Techno]

Good price Broken Link Removed

 

[GJH]

It was a lot cheaper (and neater) to change two plugs than 4 sockets

 

[Techno]

Not for me

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[tonyidle]

If you're changing plugs these will fit both Hella and cig lighter sockets:

Broken Link Removed

 

[Deleted member 29692]

Our van has DIN sockets. I came across Broken Link Removed and changed all my plugs to this type.
With the red bit attached it fits a normal UK 12V socket with quite a good fit. Can plug into either type of socket just be adding or removing the red adapter.

Broken Link Removed

 

[Snowbird]

Our van has DIN sockets. I came across Broken Link Removed and changed all my plugs to this type.
With the red bit attached it fits a normal UK 12V socket with quite a good fit. Can plug into either type of socket just be adding or removing the red adapter.

Broken Link Removed

Have managed to melt 2 of those with my macerator. Look at the earth contact on those and then look at the earth contact on a genuine Hella plug.

 

[Bellini]

I just use Hella-Din adaptors on mine. For my low current stuff, they work well.

The only thing I've got that draws a fairly high current is my electric tyre inflator compressor thing. The plug gets a little warm when used but hasn't been a problem so far.

Udo's got numerous Hella sockets dotted across most of his interior. I find them incredibly handy to have. There's also three DIN sockets under the dash.

 

[hilldweller]

the regular 12 volt socket is every bit as good as the DIN type

Have to disagree there.

Cigar type was designed to eject the plug. The plugs have a spring forcing them out.

The DIN ISO 4165 ( to give it it's official name ) sockets have a pair of springs to hold the positive pin in.

Message fades out to the sound of Deutschland über alles

http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q...&mid=5FC047A9D2A0A9A01C8A5FC047A9D2A0A9A01C8A

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[steevie]

cigar sockets are only 10 amp rated usually. Fine for chargers and the like, but not for larger appliances. I use 3pin 240v inline sockets for my macerator, tyre inflater, outside water pump etc, and use the third pin for a separate supply where needed.

 

[Simon]

Thank you all for your advice. I was hoping to see magnificently crafted works of electrical art, combining USB ports, 12v sockets, flashing lights and dancing girls, but I guess nobody else can think of anything they actually need the port for other than everyday stuff like fans and lights.
I'll wait for inspiration, or necessity, to strike.

 

[Techno]

The springs in a cigar socket are in the plug( the element) not the socket
The berker 12 volt socket is 20amp rated and holds plugs extremely securely.
EDIT in the case of the Berker "cigar socket" I believe that is merely a generic term as I've just tried a cigar lighter element in it and the socket is too small