<bgsound src="midimusi/resails.mid" loop="2">

Different and Odd 12V Plug-in Systems

Sorry your browser doesn't support java

Not Car Cigar Lighter size Plug-in Systems in Low Voltage.

Although the Car Lighter is not a peak performer as a Power Outlet, the number of cars on earth is so big, that that function of the Lighter cannot be stopped. And of course virtually all Low Voltage (6-12-24V) appliances, gadgets, tools etc... come with the so called Car Plug.

The Car Plug system is a matter of course in America and if you are living there you may well question the purpose of this page! Well, ignore it unless you are curious.

On the European continent, however, a 12 mm plug-socket-system has since many years been the dominating one, in boats in particular. In Germany they are called the universal marine contacts. It is like reading about national champions being best in the world in Sweden in the sport pages. Universal!

The 12 mm plug-socket system offers good and secure connections. Being small the socket goes well into and looks nice on instrument plates.

It is easy to see that to be able to take advantage of any 12 V utility, one has to cut off its standard car plug and replace it with a 12 mm one, cutting off the ability to use the appliance in the car. The sensible thing to do is to install a socket of our kind as well.

In step with the increasing impact of the Car Plug in the market place, supported by the presence of our Socket, all kinds of adapters and indeed plugs have turned up to make it possible to go on using the obsolete sockets. The result is trouble and extra costs for the users. To replace or add a better socket, that would be sensible. I understand an adapter to be something, one has to use when the original is not up to it.

Virtually all adapters cost more than a single cig.lighter outlet. And of course, these adapters comprise both a plug and an outlet in one piece.

The mobile phone and video camera battery chargers come with the Car Plug as an integrated part of the charger so no cutting off there. I have not seen any Low Voltage Chargers with any other kind of plug, have you?

Clumsy adapter ferrously in love with the magnet - corrosive.

Click here for how to make your own adapter.

A two pin plug-socket system has recently been introduced here and got some bureaucratic recognition and security approval as it is impossible to reverse poles on inserting the male part. Our system is twin-pole and as we all know, the hot lead - the plus (+) pole - is always in the middle, and there is just one way to stop in the male part.Of course you can reverse the wires by mistake at the time of installation, but that can happen in all systems. In fact I will go one further and claim that there is a 50% greater risk with the new two pin plug-socket system, because you are still faced with cutting off the car plug and so you have four leads to connect to the terminals.

Clinging to the magnet, - marine quality? No!

If the appliance is an expensive item like a video camcorder where correct polarity is imperative, you better find out and mark the cord prior to cutting the original plug off. I do not expect to see any appliances ready from the factory with this two pin plug in many a year, do you?