The one in the OP looks like it is for the company's proprietary plug. I'd go with Power Pole.
Look at the Rigrunner product, there is one that even has USB charging ports built in.
Sent via the ether from my candy bar running ginger bread
Hella aka "euro" style are very good too. Kimberley Kamper, BMW motorcycles, et al, use them...which was my first experience with this type of plug. Very positive connection. http://www.powerlet.com/products
Since USB is so prolific it makes sense to have a provision for charging devices like cameras, phones and a host of other accessories.
I can also see from the OP linked site that they have some kind of bizarre proprietary plug I've never seen. I bet a doughnut you cant buy the plug as a separate item; so the distribution strip is basically worthless except for use with their products.
^That's a pretty neat setup if you have a place to mount the box. You wouldn't have to bury the unit like some of the Blue Sea installations I've seen. Do you have this in your truck or have some pictures of one installed in a real application?
Note the lighter socket plug above is only rated at 7amp
(see PDF manual)
Blue Sea outlets (#1011) are the only 12v outlet I have found rated at 15A and will hold up to 12V heated blankets over time.
If your amperage needs are greater I agree with others and go with http://www.powerwerx.com/
^That's a pretty neat setup if you have a place to mount the box. You wouldn't have to bury the unit like some of the Blue Sea installations I've seen. Do you have this in your truck or have some pictures of one installed in a real application?
I have power pole connectors mounted in all of my trucks and think that's the way to go for INTERIOR connectors. The power poles are not even close to waterproof so keep that in mind. My fridge, radio and some accessories have power poles installed, and once done it solves the connector issues for good.
With the power poles, assuming you keep the standard convention, everything always is plug and play with no danger of reversing the polarity. The contacts are also self cleaning. Stay away from the spring loaded cig socket connectors. They suck, burn up and pop out. Not a good power connector. The West Marine version is an improvement (I used to use that style) but the Power Poles are a superior connector.
If you go the Power Pole route, buy the crimper tool up front. I also buy the plastic housings already fused together-ie red/black in the proper orientation.
If you don't want to spend the $79 on the distribution panel, you can buy some quick and dirty power pole splitters from Powerwerx. That Rig-Runner looks cool but I've not done that yet. On the list though with that nice USB connector.
I wish that there was a better way to mount the power poles. I'd be more inclined to try them. Give me a "normal" receptacle instead of what are obviously inline connectors semi-sort of made to work as a receptacle. Best would be if it had the same form-factor as the common 12V "power point" (like the above USB charge port) because then it would be a simple swap-out, swap-in cosmetic replacement for the existing power points.
EDIT: I called West Mountain and suggested they consider something like what I mentioned above. Perhaps they'll make them. I know that I'd like to have at least a couple of them.
I wish that there was a better way to mount the power poles. I'd be more inclined to try them. Give me a "normal" receptacle instead of what are obviously inline connectors semi-sort of made to work as a receptacle. Best would be if it had the same form-factor as the common 12V "power point" (like the above USB charge port) because then it would be a simple swap-out, swap-in cosmetic replacement for the existing power points.
EDIT: I called West Mountain and suggested they consider something like what I mentioned above. Perhaps they'll make them. I know that I'd like to have at least a couple of them.
So you want a drop in replacement for a cig lighter receptacle that uses PP connectors? I think the problem would be that most "power points" are only rated at about 7A max. IIRC the USB standard is around .5A max so running two USB ports is easy. It would be a waste of time to do a PP connection that way, what can you run on 7A@12V?
"obviously inline connectors semi-sort of made to work as a receptacle" PCB mount PP connectors are available, in fact the Rigrunner series of products use them. BTW they are not really inline connectors they were kind of derived from the connectors used on arc welders.
No, I realized that re-wiring would be necessary to take advantage of the additional ampacity afforded by the PP's. What I think would be a seller would be if people didn't have to make new holes in the vehicle to replace their old power-points. Make a part, an adapter really, that the PP connectors snap into that has the same form and size as a power-point. Could possibly even get two pair in such an adapter. I get why the PP's are shaped the way that they are, but that shape isn't very conducive to making a "receptacle" out of them.
Ntsqd I think you have a good idea here. After recently installing a Marinco cig receptacle (and new wiring), in my LX for my fridge, I would be a buyer if I could swap that receptacle for a "power pole" receptacle. Part of the reason I stayed with the cig plug was so that I can use my fridge with my other vehicle without having two power cords (one for cig plug and one for power pole). The Marinco locking plug pretty much stays put in my LX, but I constantly have to make sure it stays plugged in my Ford. My fridge peak amps is around 5A, and runs fine on the factory wiring in my Ford.
Doesn't solve the power-point conversion issue, but for a fresh install they're worth looking at. These are not weather-sealed, they're not like Metri-Packs or Weatherpacks with silicone seals. I would seal the conductors behind them rather than trying to fangle some sort of seal within them.
Note the lighter socket plug above is only rated at 7amp
(see PDF manual)
Blue Sea outlets (#1011) are the only 12v outlet I have found rated at 15A and will hold up to 12V heated blankets over time.
If your amperage needs are greater I agree with others and go with http://www.powerwerx.com/
At a CSC meet you had mentioned the 12v heated blankets. I got one - thanks. However, the plug keeps popping out of the socket - the fridge sometimes too. Also when its on for a period of time the plug gets fairly warm. The outlets are Blue Sea (#1011) but I'm going to try to replace plugs with the Blue Sea too. I probably will try the Power Pole too.
How about every single 12v plug I put into the outlets fall out just enough that they don't get powered? I've even taken the step of bending out the contacts. Nothing. Horrible.
How about every single 12v plug I put into the outlets fall out just enough that they don't get powered? I've even taken the step of bending out the contacts. Nothing. Horrible.
