nige90 Posted April 16, 2007 Share Posted April 16, 2007 As the title. I'm after something better than ciggy sockets. Maybe something along the lines of the sockets on a series dash but would prefer a two pole unit rather than separate +/-ve. I considered phono jack plugs unless there's a better option. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LandyManLuke Posted April 16, 2007 Share Posted April 16, 2007 I quite like XLR connectors, especially the metal locking variety. They're good for 15A, they don't come loose or fall out and i quite like having 3 pins. common ground, switched live and permanent live, of course you don't have to do it like that, but it's useful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FridgeFreezer Posted April 16, 2007 Share Posted April 16, 2007 In a similar vein, standard D connectors are good for ~5A per pin and are cheap and plentiful, can be had in IP67 and locking etc. you could use 9-pin ones and common the pins into two rows, or have switched live / permanent live etc. on different pins. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roman Posted April 16, 2007 Share Posted April 16, 2007 DIN connectors are a tried and tested alternative. XLR are not reliable in the vehicle environment (don't like vibrations). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LandyManLuke Posted April 16, 2007 Share Posted April 16, 2007 i've never got on with that style. I've never had a problem with XLRs, the locking tab keeps them secure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madmatt Posted April 17, 2007 Share Posted April 17, 2007 i've never got on with that style.I've never had a problem with XLRs, the locking tab keeps them secure. The Din connectors above are not the best try and get Britax ones as used on JCB Equipment much better quality. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MogLite Posted April 17, 2007 Share Posted April 17, 2007 these are cr@p in my opinion, I put a load of these on my 12V stuff a few years back, and every end pin has sprung out - they are about £5 a time too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Posted April 17, 2007 Share Posted April 17, 2007 Another vote for 3-pin XLR's here. I like the permanent and switched live. They can be had in 2-pin form if required... Here the panel I made up for the lightweight: The socket in the middle is a standard fag lighter socket, but it came from a caravan place, so has a degree of waterproofness. I tend to always use Neutrik XLR's too, rather than some of the cheaper ones, and have never had a problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FridgeFreezer Posted April 17, 2007 Share Posted April 17, 2007 Neutrik are great, I had some of their leads for my guitar and you could use them to pick it up with if you wanted Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LandyManLuke Posted April 17, 2007 Share Posted April 17, 2007 Yup, I'd go as far to say Neutrik connectors are the best. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rtbarton Posted April 17, 2007 Share Posted April 17, 2007 Neutrik are great, I had some of their leads for my guitar and you could use them to pick it up with if you wanted I got a Maplin one for mine, it was more microphonic than a microphone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Superpants Posted April 17, 2007 Share Posted April 17, 2007 I'd go with XLRs too. even the cheap plastic ones are more robust than a lot of the cigarette lighter plugs/ sockets. Neutrix ones are great- they have a clever, secure cable grip and don't need fiddly little screws like some of the other makes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bull Bar Cowboy Posted April 17, 2007 Share Posted April 17, 2007 DIN connectors are a tried and tested alternative. XLR are not reliable in the vehicle environment (don't like vibrations). Hmmmmmmmmmmm ................ I'm not so sure that is a DIN plug as I cant find anything in my reference material to suggest that it has been standardized by Deutsches Institut für Normung. I have always known these by the name of hella plugs and IIRC they carry a Hella patent. Yes, these plugs are a vast improvement over the standard cig lighter adapter plug, but they are not anywhere even remotely near the quality of XLR. I think you will find that XLR also has a MIL standard. Imitated by many, but the best buy will always be a genuine Cannon XLR, however, these were never designed to be power plugs............ they were designed to be high broadcast quality audio plugs and sockets ............ originally known as the cannon 'X' range. History lesson over......... Ian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
western Posted April 17, 2007 Share Posted April 17, 2007 or the 4 pin Superwinch plug & socket as used in the Husky hand remote. can get these from here as a set or single item Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roman Posted April 17, 2007 Share Posted April 17, 2007 Hmmmmmmmmmmm ................ I'm not so sure that is a DIN plug as I cant find anything in my reference material to suggest that it has been standardized by Deutsches Institut für Normung. Ian, It's DIN standard (DIN # 72591) Yes, these plugs are a vast improvement over the standard cig lighter adapter plug, but they are not anywhere even remotely near the quality of XLR. XLR may be better than a cig connector or the DIN cig connector but it's not as good as MIL standard connectors, eg. MIL-C 5015 screw thread military multipole connectors. It's about function vs price vs interchangeability. You can easily use a device with the red nosed DIN plug in a standard cig socket in any other car, but a device with a XLR connector will only fit another car with a matching XLR socket or an audio power amp :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rtbarton Posted April 17, 2007 Share Posted April 17, 2007 I suppose you could use a trailer plug & socket if you're got the room, then you can have a whole shed-load of circuits. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LandyManLuke Posted April 17, 2007 Share Posted April 17, 2007 You can easily use a device with the red nosed DIN plug in a standard cig socket in any other car That's their downfall, as far as i'm concerned. The design has been compromised in order that they still work with 'cigar lighter' sockets. I've worked with XLRs in the audio environment, and also with lighting, in their 5-pin variety (DMX), but i still think they're nicely suited to this application too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landy_andy Posted April 17, 2007 Share Posted April 17, 2007 DIN connectors are a tried and tested alternative. XLR are not reliable in the vehicle environment (don't like vibrations). Hi, For info the above are to DIN ISO 4165, available in 8A & 16A versions.... of variable quality. Available from RS for anyone with an account. Cheers, Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FridgeFreezer Posted April 17, 2007 Share Posted April 17, 2007 I've melted both versions with a fridge that draws ~4A the current ratings are never what they say, even the expensive ones. The fuse seems to heat up and melt the tip, also the small point of contact caused by the tip creates a hot spot, file it down a bit and they last longer. A mate of mine who designs very secret stuff has had a huge battle with these as he was trying to draw ~15A continuous, he has bought and melted every type, flavour and colour of cig lighter plug & socket on the market (and some that aren't) and none of them will take the abuse despite claiming 16A+ capacity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madmatt Posted April 17, 2007 Share Posted April 17, 2007 That's their downfall, as far as i'm concerned. The design has been compromised in order that they still work with 'cigar lighter' sockets. Britax PMG do a plug That Only fits DIN Sockets not a cig socket these are much better than the combo plugs. The DIN only plugs are whats found on Plant machinery. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LandyManLuke Posted April 17, 2007 Share Posted April 17, 2007 So, once its a 'one type only' plug, why not just use something better like an XLR? How can you have a DIN ISO number - they're two seperate setups, DIN (Deutsches Institut für Normung) , and ISO (International Standards Organisation), I'm guessing 4165 is ISO and 72591 is DIN? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madmatt Posted April 17, 2007 Share Posted April 17, 2007 So, once its a 'one type only' plug, why not just use something better like an XLR? How can you have a DIN ISO number - they're two seperate setups, DIN (Deutsches Institut für Normung) , and ISO (International Standards Organisation), I'm guessing 4165 is ISO and 72591 is DIN? Luke, I'm not having a go, just pointing out that there is an alternative to those stupid cheap combination plugs. In my oppinion the proper DIN plug and sockets made by Britax PMG which are better tha the Hella ones are absolutely fine for most applications where just a plug and socket is required. they are also tried and tested on many makes of heavy plant agricultural machinery too. like everything there are different grades and they come at different costs! In reply to why not use simething better like an XLR I can only answer this as to why I wouldn't use one and its as simple as this, I often take the beacons and illuminated marker boards off the landy and wack em on the tractor or trailer. so its easier to buy good quality DIN sockets and fit to landy stuff than have to change all sockets on various plant and machinery I have to operate. Matt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LandyManLuke Posted April 17, 2007 Share Posted April 17, 2007 so its easier to buy good quality DIN sockets and fit to landy stuff than have to change all sockets on various plant and machinery I have to operate. Fair point, if you've got other stuff that uses DIN, it makes sense. So far, we've got a couple of boats, a van and the 90 on XLRs, so the same logic applies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.