anything

In case you guys wanted to continue this thread further... I just had to
change the subject line.

Mel Knott

mknott@bcpl.net writes:

I would and I have this comment: Never in my wildest dreams would I
have 12 V coming out of a 120 V type receptacle - never!
My boat has numerous cigarette lighter sockets and I find them
extremely flaky - they are simply not made for continuous use. Now
what is a recommended alternative? I looked at "official" 12 V
outlets and plugs in marine/sporting goods stores and find them
sinfully expensive (over $20 each). Perhaps European type plugs with
horizontal or round prongs so it's impossible to force them into 120V
outlets? What do people use and where did you get them?

George of Scaramouche, Lake Ontario, Canada

George:

Marinco makes a higher quality plug and receptacle that lock in place and
are far superior to the normal cigarette lighter ones. They have built in
fuses and also accept the original style but just don't lock with anything
other than the Marinco mate.

I have known people that used different European plugs and receptacle but
there is no standard. It would be something you created for your boat. A
disadvantage of the European plugs is that you would have to make up an
adapter incase a friend shows up with a cell phone and you will also have
the same problem if you want to use something from the boat in your car.

The Marinco solution is more expensive but everything plugs into everything
else without any problems and the locking feature overcomes the biggest
problem with the cigarette lighter plugs.

Frank Burrows  fburrows@compuserve.com      1979 43' Viking MY  Piney
Narrows Chesapeake Bay