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Post Info TOPIC: Does anyone know what this is for.
nictoria65


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Does anyone know what this is for.
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Hi all, we purchased an Avan camper and are not sure what this plug is for? Cheers Jim and Toni.



-- Edited by nictoria65 on Thursday 15th of October 2020 12:20:21 PM



-- Edited by nictoria65 on Thursday 15th of October 2020 12:20:44 PM

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Peter_n_Margaret


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12v DC power outlet socket.
Cheers,
Peter

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OKA196, 4x4 'C' Class, DIY, self contained motorhome. 960W of solar, 400Ah of AGMs, 310L water, 280L fuel. https://www.oka4wd.com/forum/members-vehicles-public/569-oka196-xt-motorhome
 

 
nictoria65


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Wow Peter thanks for the quick response, greatly appreciated.

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Jaahn


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Hi smile

That appears to be a socket for a Merit type plug. Not a cigarette lighter type plug.

They are a much better holding type that do not fall out. Available commonly at the usual places.

Jaahn

 BTMP001.jpg?20190529143722



-- Edited by Jaahn on Thursday 15th of October 2020 01:25:32 PM

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Peter_n_Margaret


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+ve on the inside, -ve on the outside.
Cheers,
Peter

Your turn Jaahn. biggrin



-- Edited by Peter_n_Margaret on Thursday 15th of October 2020 02:51:49 PM

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OKA196, 4x4 'C' Class, DIY, self contained motorhome. 960W of solar, 400Ah of AGMs, 310L water, 280L fuel. https://www.oka4wd.com/forum/members-vehicles-public/569-oka196-xt-motorhome
 

 
Warren-Pat_01


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Don't try carrying high currents (over 5A) through them as the plastic insulation will melt. Check in the Jaycar Electronics catalogue for specs.
LED lighting, etc is fine.

Happy camping (& happy looking though the various aspects of this forum, some interesting, useful stuff, some humourous ).

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Warren

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If you don't get it done today, there's always tomorrow!

2019 Isuzu D-Max dual cab, canopy, Fulcrum suspension; 2011 17' Jayco Discovery poptop Outback
Peter_n_Margaret


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Warren-Pat_01 wrote:

Don't try carrying high currents (over 5A) through them as the plastic insulation will melt. Check in the Jaycar Electronics catalogue for specs.
LED lighting, etc is fine.

 https://www.jaycar.com.au/merit-plug/p/PP2090

Merit type connectors are fast becoming the new standard in automotive power connectors. In fact, they have been used in some European bikes and cars for several years and are ideal when size and reliability of connection are important. Smaller in size than existing cigarette lighter connectors, they also have the advantage of a superior rugged construction and higher current carrying capability.

Cheers,

Peter



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OKA196, 4x4 'C' Class, DIY, self contained motorhome. 960W of solar, 400Ah of AGMs, 310L water, 280L fuel. https://www.oka4wd.com/forum/members-vehicles-public/569-oka196-xt-motorhome
 

 
Tony LEE


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Trouble is there is no compatability between those sockets and the normal cigar lighter plugs that are ubiquitous.

 

As for "fast becoming a standard in European...", I have a near new European motorhome and it has the normal cigar lighter sockets 



-- Edited by Tony LEE on Friday 16th of October 2020 07:13:33 AM

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Aus-Kiwi


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For generator or lead . Na Pete is right . Its for low load appliances. Phone, lap top, light
charger Etc I fi d these type better than lighter plugs as they tend to work There  way Out with road  movement . 



-- Edited by Aus-Kiwi on Friday 16th of October 2020 08:37:58 AM

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Jaahn


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Warren-Pat_01 wrote:

Don't try carrying high currents (over 5A) through them as the plastic insulation will melt. Check in the Jaycar Electronics catalogue for specs.
LED lighting, etc is fine.

Happy camping (& happy looking though the various aspects of this forum, some interesting, useful stuff, some humourous ).

 Hi smile

My comments on these 'new' merit plugs. They certainly clip in to the socket well and I had observed them in European vehicles. So I gave them a go some years back. I had problems with them using modest power items. Indeed I chased a problem with my fridge for some time before finding the merit plug itself was the problem. Instead of having a solid brass connection from the wire to the prong as you would expect it was actually pressed together inside and had burnt a bit to give an intermittent contact. I actually cut the plug open to find that. disbelief

So I have 'gone off' them now. I had a couple of brands so I cannot say exactly what brand that problem was but all well know brands. Indeed I also found some of the sockets which have an aluminium body are also unsatisfactory as they corrode in contact with brass and electricity furious. As said I have not found them as good as promised but if I found a well made brand with good brass socket and good plug I would consider them again.  

Some of the better brand ciggy sockets have two spiral grooves to hold the plug side spring contacts so they are held well and do not fall out. I have converted to them now.biggrin   I hate doing the same job twice.

Jaahn  

 



-- Edited by Jaahn on Friday 16th of October 2020 09:04:55 AM

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ShortNorth


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All the above reply's are wrong - it is NOT an OUTPUT socket - it is the INPUT socket for the 12v element of the Avan's refrigerator. Avan wire the 12V element of the fridge to this socket on the front near the drawbar - however, they do not wire it into the van's battery, they rely on the van owner fitting a powered 'jumper lead' from the tow car to this socket to be able to run the fridge on 12v while you are driving.

Avan state the fridge runs on gas/240v/12v, but in reality only runs on gas or 240v, as 95% of the Avans out there don't use this socket. Anyway running the fridge on 12v is pretty much useless, as it only maintains the temperature you started off with, it cannot cool a fridge from ambient to required refrigeration temperature. This socket is really way to light as the current required to run the Avan fridge on 12v is around 18 amps 12v DC.

I cool my fridge overnight on 240v before leaving next morning, then run for around 2-3 hours max to our camp site, and then immediately plug back into 240v to bring the temperature back to normal. In the more than 8 years I've had my Aliner I have never run the fridge on gas, only 240v at powered camp sites.

image066.jpg



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Wondering about ShortNorth ? - Short North is the railwayman's nickname for the NSWGR main line between Sydney and Newcastle
Jaahn


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Hi ShortNorth smile

Well thank you for giving the correct specific answer for nictoria65. I have never seen that on an Avan so that is a learning experience. confuse

Jaahn



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Peter_n_Margaret


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I suggest that using a Merit socket as a power inlet is inappropriate.
It means that the powered exposed lead terminal is live and that would cause a significant risk of short circuit.
Cheers,
Peter

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OKA196, 4x4 'C' Class, DIY, self contained motorhome. 960W of solar, 400Ah of AGMs, 310L water, 280L fuel. https://www.oka4wd.com/forum/members-vehicles-public/569-oka196-xt-motorhome
 

 
Mamil


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Peter_n_Margaret wrote:

I suggest that using a Merit socket as a power inlet is inappropriate.
It means that the powered exposed lead terminal is live and that would cause a significant risk of short circuit.
Cheers,
Peter

 Agree, a 50A Anderson plug would be more suitable in that application, both in terms of current handling capacity, and protecting live terminals. TrailerVision do some nice waterproof mounts for Andersons which can be bought from Jaycar and elsewhere...

 

Trailer Vision.jpg



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Mamil


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Tony LEE wrote:

Trouble is there is no compatability between those sockets and the normal cigar lighter plugs that are ubiquitous.

 

Tony, I've changed all my 'cigar lighter' plugs for this type, which will fit both traditional cigar sockets, or if you remove the red plastic bit on the tip, merit sockets. Not cheap, but good quality German made plug and means you can plug 12V accessories into either type of socket. I bought mine from here (no interest, just a happy customer)... https://12volt.com.au/ 

arrid plug.jpg



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