Alternative to Anderson Plugs

Ondabeach · Senior Member

Alternative to Anderson Plugs

hako · Guru

I was in Supercheap today and spotted something similar - KT 50amp plugs smaller than Anderson plugs. They don't interest me as like Steve I've got quite a few Anderson plugs.

http://www.supercheapauto.com.au/online-store/products/KT-Cables-Trailer-Plug-Socket-Pack-2-Pin-50-Amp.aspx?pid=344014&menuFrom=902#Recommendations

ps....noticed over the last few months prices in places like Supercheap are about 10 - 20% higher than a year ago....

Ondabeach · Senior Member

hako wrote:
ps....noticed over the last few months prices in places like Supercheap are about 10 - 20% higher than a year ago....

Yep... mainly because a year ago the Aussie dollar wasn't in the toilet... a lot of imported stuff has been on the rise lately

Jaahn · Guru

Ondabeach wrote:
I just bought 5 pairs of Anderson plugs... then it dawned on me that I already had a drawer full of much better plugs in the workshop. Of course there are advantages of using Anderson plugs, like compatibility with other wanderers of the highways and byways, and that some RV aimed appliances etc may already come with an Anderson plug. Also being so big, they are easier to unplug if you have any grip issues... I'm sure there are plenty of arthritis sufferers among us.
But if space is an issue, or if you can still grip it like a schoolboy then they can't be beat, especially for the price.
The reason they can carry so much current for their size is that the pins are round giving them a lot of contact area and they're gold plated. They're designed for the RC industry and are used for Lithium Polymer batteries which can deliver massive current. I've used probably close to 1000 of them and never had a failure, and I regularly push 80 amps through the XT60's.
For anyone interested, here's a pic for comparison, and links to where they can be bought from HobbyKing's ACT warehouse.
XT60 http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__43416__Nylon_XT60_Connectors_Male_Female_5_pairs_GENUINE_AU_Warehouse_.html?strSearch=xt60
XT90 http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__32153__Nylon_XT90_Connectors_Male_Female_5_pairs_AUS_Warehouse_.html?strSearch=xt90

Steve.

Hi Steve, wink

They look interesting. Over the years for my solar systems, I have used 32v two pin plugs and sockets and twin pin marine plugs and sockets as well as anderson plugs. They all seem to have their drawbacks. These look an alternative to try. Price is right too ! biggrin

How are they designed to hold the wires. Solder in or crimp.

I guess they are polarised somehow. That groove on the side does it I guess ?

Jaahn

Cruising Cruze · Guru

They are less than 8 bucks for ten pair from evilbay out of China

Old Col · Veteran Member

Jaahn wrote:
Ondabeach wrote:
I just bought 5 pairs of Anderson plugs... then it dawned on me that I already had a drawer full of much better plugs in the workshop. Of course there are advantages of using Anderson plugs, like compatibility with other wanderers of the highways and byways, and that some RV aimed appliances etc may already come with an Anderson plug. Also being so big, they are easier to unplug if you have any grip issues... I'm sure there are plenty of arthritis sufferers among us.
But if space is an issue, or if you can still grip it like a schoolboy then they can't be beat, especially for the price.
The reason they can carry so much current for their size is that the pins are round giving them a lot of contact area and they're gold plated. They're designed for the RC industry and are used for Lithium Polymer batteries which can deliver massive current. I've used probably close to 1000 of them and never had a failure, and I regularly push 80 amps through the XT60's.
For anyone interested, here's a pic for comparison, and links to where they can be bought from HobbyKing's ACT warehouse.
XT60 http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__43416__Nylon_XT60_Connectors_Male_Female_5_pairs_GENUINE_AU_Warehouse_.html?strSearch=xt60
XT90 http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__32153__Nylon_XT90_Connectors_Male_Female_5_pairs_AUS_Warehouse_.html?strSearch=xt90

Steve.

How are they designed to hold the wires. Solder in or crimp.
I guess they are polarised somehow. That groove on the side does it I guess ?
Jaahn

you solder the wires (xt60 about 12awg size) then put heat shrink over the wires

polarized by the shape of the plug

you can get a XT30 as well