clipsal sockets to CBE sockets

[FranitaUK]

Hi Everyone, My first post so be gentle....

I have a Sterling ECCLES JEWEL 2003.

It has Clipsal sockets for 240v and those little 12v two pin sockets.
They are very similar to the CBE sockets as there are two parts, the socket and the frame.
I want to change the two pin socket for a cigar lighter socket.
I want to know if I can swap the above for the CBE type of sockets with the minimum of fuss.
the choice with the Clipsal is very limited
Don't know how to upload a Photo so you'll have to use your imagination, unless someone can tell me how to do that too.
Regards Frank

 

[ProfJohnL]

plese look at
https://www.practicalcaravan.com/forum/our-website/48966-how-to-photos

for instructions on how to post photos'

I would be wary of converting the 12V sockets to cigar type connectors, The cigar type sockets are of poor design and can led to poor connections and over heating.

 

[chrisn7]

I can understand why you want to change - I don't think I have ever come across and accessory that had a 12v 2 pin plug. I don't entirely agree with Prof though - the sockets are ok, but the plugs supplied with accessories are often low quality, with brittle earth connectors

 

[ProfJohnL]

I can understand why you want to change - I don't think I have ever come across and accessory that had a 12v 2 pin plug. I don't entirely agree with Prof though - the sockets are ok, but the plugs supplied with accessories are often low quality, with brittle earth connectors

Help Chrisn,
The intended purpose of the cigar type socket was for a cigar lighter that many cars had. As it was an established feature that allowed relatively easy access to the vehicles 12v supply it was adopted by the accessories market. Whilst the car manufacturers did use pretty substantial designs that were able to withstand the heat of the cigar lighter, many of the after market designs won't, and will start to deform and melt if a cigar lighter element is plugged into them..

The explosion of 12v car accessories has led to a dramatic rise in cheap after market sockets and as most plug in accessories use no more than a couple of amps their is usually no great problem for the sockets, but plug in some cheap (and from my experience not so cheap) plugs and quite often they don't make a reliable contact, and I hand noticed how warm some plugs feel when I have removed them.

Mechanically the design uses a spring loaded centre pin, and I have come across several accessories that jack them selves out of proper engagement in the socket. I have had at least four plugs wher running at less than the internal fuse rating where the spring that preloads the centre pin has got too hot and lost its spring pressure and melted the inside of the plug.

Fundamentally the cigar socket an plug was never designed as a power socket for accessories. From an engineering perspective it is an atrocious design for a power supply, and the plethora of cheap and definable interior components that have flooded the market have raised the prospect of poor electrical connections, leading to high resistance contact which in turn leads to heating, plastics will deform, and if cheap import has used the wrong plastic it could set on fire!

Whilst the sockets are generally more durable, you need to have durable and reliable plugs also. The system is only as goods as its weakest link, and as its nigh on impossible to predict the quality of the plug that's going to used it freduces the confidence of the connection to a very low level.

I will never recommend them as reliable power connectors.

 

[FranitaUK]

I thank you both for your replies, I have to add that I have had numerous items with the cigar plug over the years and never had any trouble with them, including Kettles, Inverters, Lights, Fans but I take your concerns on board and I will monitor any changes I make.

regards Frank

 

[chrisn7]

With respect Prof you've pretty much repeated what I said - sockets are generally ok, but many plugs are not.
I agree that they may jack themselves out of contact, but that tends to happen in cars when on the move and vibration and road shocks are factors.

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hello Chrisn,

I agree that the sockets used by the car industry tend to be ok, but many of aftermarket products are definitely inferior. The market is flooded with these cheap poor quality products, both sockets and plugs, and as the after sales market is the most likely source for the type of conversion being discussed it is highly relevant.

You are also correct about some of the causes for the plugs jacking themselves out is the motion of a car, but that isn't the only situation where it has arisen. But when they do move that when the quality of the electrical contact deteriorates, and resistive heating can start to occur.

Fundamentally the cigar lighter socket was never designed to be a power plug system. and won't change, and it wont change my advice to avoid if possible.