The best 12 volt plug and socket

[Trebor English]

In another thread it was suggested that a "best connector" discussion should be in a thread of its own rather than embedded confusingly in a a thread about something else.  

Please include the unit of measure by which you mean best.  I think it is fair to point out what is bad with one connector but only in the context of how a better connector fixes that issue.  

Ready.  Set.  Go.

Given that this is cheaprvliving.com I think the best are what is cheapest.  I like quarter inch spade connectors.  They are also called quick disconnects.  They come in red, blue, and yellow for different size wires.  They are cheap and the crimper tool is cheap too.  The unit of measure by which I judge them to be best is cheapness, cheapness for the tool and cheapness for the parts.

All of the stuff I have has these connectors.  I have a Roadpro oven and a Roadpro heater / defroster / hair dryer.  Both have had the original cigarette lighter plug cut off and spade connectors put on.  I have a clip onto a desk style lamp.  Originally it was 120 volt but I cut off the plug and installed an automotive led and spade connectors.  Since they are do-it-yourself, all appliances can have them.  

These terminals are really cheap online.  They are available everywhere.  O'Reilly's, Auto Zone, Advance Auto Parts, Harbor Freight, Walmart, all have them.  Amazon and eBay have them really cheap.  Bags of 100 are generally the best deal.  The last time I got red ones they came 50 male and 50 female.

I use a permanent marker and mark one terminal red and the other black.  Before crimping the wire I apply a tiny dab of conductive grease to exclude oxygen and water.  When I plug in a device if it slides in too easily I apply pliers and squeeze the female terminal a little bit.  

Like in regular 120 volt connections I use female connectors for supply and male connectors for loads.  


These terminals are so cheap that there aren't official ratings on them.  They fit regular automotive fuses and those fuses are available as big as 40 amps.  I think they are likely good for that much but I typically have my circuits fused for 20 amps.  

For a special purpose I have a different favorite.  Regular cigarette lighter sockets are best for cigarette lighters.  If the lighter is pushed in, heats up, then can't pop out the regular cigarette lighter sockets will disconnect.  There are two styles.  One kind when overheated shorts, blowing the fuse.  My 99 Windstar has that.  The other kind include a little lead bit that melts away when overheated.  I know one GM that has that.  I think the regular cigarette lighter sockets are best for disconnecting to avoid fire.  For staying connected, not so good.

 

[highdesertranger]

thank you Trebor. ok everybody here's the place to talk 12v plugs. I have used all kinds including the spades like Trebor pointed out, Cigarette lighters, SAE connectors, and Anderson power poles. for high amp use I prefer the Anderson. for lower amperage I was using the SAE connectors but in the future I am going to switch out to Anderson's. highdesertranger

 

[jonyjoe303]

I prefer the xt60, I use it for everything, no way to hook up backwards and can handle up to 60 amps, you can find good deals on them, 25 pair for 15 dollars.
For heavy duty amperage there is the xt90, I use those to connect jumper cables to my 28 ah agm, and have jumped my car battery without any trouble, I also use the xt90 on my high amperage tab spot welder.
The only drawback is you have to solder the wires onto them, but not to difficult.

Here a picture of xt60 on my solar system

 

[johnny b]

I am also a fan of the Anderson Powerpole connectors for the higher amp needs.



As far as crimp terminal connectors go, I use a quality (ie more $$), heat shrink style along with a ratchet crimp tool...the plastic insulator is longer and is shrunk down after the crimp for a tight water proof seal. More importantly it moves the vibration stress point away from the crimp onto the wire's insulation.



I understand that those on a tight budget may not want to spend the money for a ratchet type crimp tool, but the biggest mistake made with the cheap tool is too much pressure which can cut strands of wire.

My advice for those who do use the inexpensive stuff.... don't crimp too tight, and add some heat shrink tubing over the terminal insulator and about 1/2 to 1 inch onto the wire for stress relief. Shrink tube is cheap insurance.

As far as ciggy plug 12v connectors....just say no.

[In my working days I was a telecom tech with later forays into security/access control systems. I've messed with a few wires in my life, learning along the way.]

 

[Charlotte's Web]

[In my working days I was a telecom tech with later forays into security/access control systems. I've messed with a few wires in my life, learning along the way.]

Miss you over in Vintage Sm Block.  I'll have to drum up another spectacular CL find to jump start
your funny bone.  BTW, don't have a large parrot these days, but once traveled with an African Grey.
 
Hasta banana,
Charlotte

 

[S Cello]

Great thread, and very timely for me. I am placing a lot of wire in my van build these last few weeks and have been wondering what the best connectors would be to use for the 12 volt system. I have plenty of experience with 120v systems but not much experience with the 12 volt stuff.
I have had bad luck using the cigarette lighter connections. I used to work using a laptop in my work truck with a small inverter plugged into the lighter. gave me fits, for sure.

If you guys would put amazon links to these connectors it would be a huge time saver for me. Thanks

 

[MrAlvinDude]

I use several different types of 12V connectors.

Sometimes I need to plug in more than one (or two) wires at a time, and then I use houses for 2.8mm plug/sockets.
The metal parts are crimped on to the wires. And they come in 2-way to 12-way houses. 

They are also available in waterproof designs. 

2.8mm connectors can handle loads up to 10 amp on each pin in the connector.  



It is also possible to get the 6.3mm types. They can handle more amps. I would guess 20-30 amp per connector. 

Here are selections that are very crimp-able.

 

[frater secessus]

Pre-van, I used SAE connectors for power connections, battery maintainers, etc. For the van build I went anderson powerpole but haven't installed them yet.

 

[John TF]

1st off the term " best " is best to be avoided , it is misleading at best .
You are reinforcing that when you qualify in your post , best with cheap .
More often than not when you are doing the above you do not get either , best or cheap .
When buy cheapest , you getting the least performance out of what your trying to do , and more cost , because typically the cheapest has the highest failure rate - causing more frequent replacement --- cost more !
Due to a lot of issues , I have worked professionally in multiple trades working with electricity , from vary small voltages & currents , to vary high volts & currents .
And in all of the above there has been one type of crimp , tool , connectors that have proven to be the most performance & reliable .
Open-Barrel_Connector.png ”F””B” crimp.png
tried to find a picture [ 1,000 words ] not sure if this is going to show up ?
This is just about common power terminal crimps , not coax etc.
These fold the split connector at the seam and grip the strands in close to 2 round groups with a ratchet style [ this gives a preset / same pressure ] to each time used [ again any use of tools , can be misused .
Forgot to start with types of connectors " 12v plug & socket " , typically with 12v , we are talking about DC vs. AC , and DC is typically polarized , and its common AC may not be , so using connector systems that that will not let you reverse + Pos. & - Neg.
Anderson Power Poles , a brand name , are very common and easy to find , from some of the smallest ga. to some of the largest ga.
On the smallest - like computer connections in automotive for sensors where less a volt & less than an amp - mili volt , mili amp , and up to hundreds of volts & amp - like in welding .
This type of crimp , if properly done can actually fuse the connector & connector .
Where-as the cheap punch type , about the time you get a good crimp [ as good as they can get ] they start to cut strands !
Anyone that has done much crimping knows , and to those that haven't , how many times using the cheaper stuff and then the pressure holding the connector - male to female , has more force that the crimp , and often the wire pulls out of the the crimp .
Point being , cheap typically cost more than quality , both in time & money , in almost any application , weather tools or appliances .

 

[Trebor English]

1st off the term " best " is best to be avoided , it is misleading at best .

That's why my post starts with
"Please include the unit of measure by which you mean best."

Those who have posted so far have not identified what they use to gauge best.  For example, Anderson fans, do you like the wide variety of colors?  That green is fabulous when paired with the pink.  Are they sturdy? If you accidently step on one they never break or they do break but are easy to fix?  Do you like that they have a current rating or is it that it works your 9 amp thing without the connector getting hot even in an environment with a lot of wind borne dirt?  I get that Anderson fans like them.  I don't know why they like them.

 

[John61CT]

Best for me means a solid connection, unlikely to get accidentally pulled out, never would just fall out, and **never** intermittent contact causing arcing and overheating (melting! burning!!) even with currents well under the supposed rating.

Which is why I chop off ciggie plugs first thing if a device comes with one.

 

[John61CT]

Context is important too.

A CPAP kept plugged in all night is not the same as a spotlight you plug in and use for a few minutes and then unplug.

However I recommend **standardizing** your build so all the 12V outlets in your build are the same (but **never** standard ciggie ports, y'all got that right?

OK, so now we have three designs that are better.

Amp rates are a critical factor. If you will (maybe) have devices with anywhere close to 10A or greater, IMO Anderson PowerPole is "the only" way to go, again pick one type and standardize.

The lower amp versions are interoperable with the more expensive higher amp ones.

It is easy to buy or make adapters for guests or short-time use devices with ciggie plugs.

 

[John61CT]

The other two are more familiar because they look a bit like standard ciggie ports, but are actually safe, but both for smaller (<10A) loads only.

Blue Sea has a nice socket design that twist-locks with the matching plug, but will also accept standard ciggie plugs (maybe for visitors or short time usage, you lose the locking feature.



The BMW/ Hella/ Merit/ Powerlet "Euro-style DIN" (ISO 4165) style is very robust,

there are adapters for devices with ciggie plugs

but as noted elsewhere, less used in North America so. . .

 

[John61CT]

There are plenty of other connector types from specialist applications that authoritative sources recommend, but to my mind have no advantage over APP other than cost, **just mentioning for completeness**.

Some are soldered rather than crimped, which I don't recommend except for those already expert at soldering.

​XT60

​EC5 from E-Flite

​quick-connect welding connectors

​Trolling motor connectors (good for "weatherproof")

Out of automotive styles, ​for "weatherproof", Amphenol-Deutsch is better than Weatherpack style

See ​Ladd https://laddinc.com/products/connector-selector/

 

[John61CT]

For little gadgets, very low amps (under 4A)

​DC5521: O.D. 5.5mm, I.D. 2.1mm

​SAE, universal "2-way flat molded" connectors

But again, just for completeness, not recommending unless you don't want to standardize on APP

 

[johnny b]

My definition of 'best' for electrical connections would be most reliable yet easy to make and use. (As a service technician my worst days were when I had to repair/replace shoddy work or materials. Taught me the true meaning of "you can pay me now, or pay me later")
In a vehicle, vibration and shock are the enemy.

Links to where I purchase:
Anderson - https://powerwerx.com/
Terminals - http://www.elecdirect.com/

 

[highdesertranger]

I like Anderson's because they have proven themselves to me.  I have a set of jumper cables that use the big Anderson's that mount to my grill guard.  they are almost 30 years old they have been exposed to the weather the whole time and still work fine.  another plus is the Power Werx warehouse is a few miles from moms house so I can will call anything and save shipping when I am in the area.  I just thought of something if any people going to RTR want to order something I could pick it up and deliver it to RTR for no shipping I will start a thread.  anyhow here's a pic of them on my truck.



the APP is in the circle.  highdesertranger

 

[John61CT]

For 50A and over, the SB series is a different shape, I've used 350A they might go higher.

These are not interchangeable with PP 15/30/45s.

Note these do require specialized crimpers, but one tool covers multiple size wires, for example both the 45A PP as well as SB50 & 75, basically AWG 12 up to #6.

 

[SoulRaven]

thank you Trebor.  ok everybody here's the place to talk 12v plugs.  I have used all kinds including the spades like Trebor pointed out,  Cigarette lighters,   SAE connectors,  and Anderson power poles.  for high amp use I prefer the Anderson.  for lower amperage I was using the SAE connectors but in the future I am going to switch out to Anderson's.   highdesertranger

I especially like the SAE's if I'm going to be connecting and disconnecting more than once a year.

 

[MrAlvinDude]

At first, I am sorry to say, I did not read the initial post in detail. So I missed the bit about mentioning why any one solution is considered "best".

This does however remind me about the photographer who was once asked about "what is the best camera?"  Where the answer was: "The one you have with you! "


So, if I can plan, and have time to prepare, I will use connectors that are sure to work reliably.


And as I do not consider the 12V ciggy connector system to be designed to hold a reliable connection, I will try to chose any other solution but that one. 


As it is however the de-facto standard for many 12V gadgets and small appliances, and thus most devices will come mounted with that plug, I will however always still have those 12V sockets available as an option in my rig.

But I must admit to a love/hate relationship with those connectors!

Thus, for more permanent connections, or for devices I use frequently, I always try to use other solutions.  These other connection systems will also be very low-cost, as low cost (and easy to use)  is always, also a priority whenever I consider "best" connector, on a removable device. 


What I dislike most about the 12V ciggy connector system, is the lack of being able to maintain a reliable connection.
So I have decided to start to permanently attached Velcro straps to the sockets. This way I hope to mitigate what annoy me the most, about the 12V ciggy connectors. 
And whenever I find it to be the easiest and quickest solution, to get a job done, I hope to establish my new practice, as an easy way to get a reliable connection, for removable devices. 

I will keep you posted about my findings