Waterproof 12 volt plug and socket recommendations.

[roofman]

I'm looking for a weatherproof IP67? plug and socket so I can easily put the Surf on charge without opening the bonnet and messing around with crocodile clips etc.
It wouldn't start the other day in an emergency when my wife and son needed to go and collect a Christmas tree...
The only accessible place to fit it is in the front grill so it'll get a good blasting.

get the "ultimate" charger for bikes, comes with the tail for battery and fit just under scuttle by the wiper arms, easily got to without opening bonnet.

 

[sako243]

I know people who keep their Range Rovers on charge inside a garage and the number of times they forgot to disconnect. Might be worth looking at a quick release system a bit like what the fire engines etc., have?

That way you don't need to remember to disconnect it before driving off.

 

[m_c]

Auto ejects are not cheap, and if you're not using a hanging lead from above, you better not have anything else parked within a few feet.

Personally I'd use a small Anderson connector, with it positioned/angled so that it should just pull out if you do forget to unplug it.

 

[dobbslc]

get the "ultimate" charger for bikes, comes with the tail for battery and fit just under scuttle by the wiper arms, easily got to without opening bonnet.

Optimate?
I've got two
That's what I'll be using.

 

[knighty]

do you use it much?

put a cigarette lighter plug on the end of the charger, plug it inside... that way it stops you forgetting to unplug it

check your cigarette lighter socket is permanently powered..... if not add another which is

 

[Robotstar5]

Emergency vehicles have charging connection which auto eject when starting the vehicle,

https://toughleads.co.uk/pages/guide-to-ambulance-and-emergency-vehicle-connectors

Or should do

 

[dobbslc]

do you use it much

Yes, it's usually under the bonnet of the truck
The cigarette lighter isn't permanently live and I really hate taking the dash apart!

 

[Migmac]

My Oxford oximiser came with a small waterproof socket. I guess they’ll do spares, might be worth looking there

 

[Bravheart]

Anderson plugs are pretty good but might be a mess if left plugged in when you drive off.
Those tractor D plugs aren't really waterproof they are fitted inside the cab and wires usually passed through a rubber seal round the window. I've a plug on the back of the tractor which would be self disconnecting in a forgetful moment. Probably standard fit certainly wasn't me so no idea of the name but been on the outside and working fine on the back of a 20yo tractor.

 

[Migmac]

Anderson plugs are pretty good but might be a mess if left plugged in when you drive off.
Those tractor D plugs aren't really waterproof they are fitted inside the cab and wires usually passed through a rubber seal round the window. I've a plug on the back of the tractor which would be self disconnecting in a forgetful moment. Probably standard fit certainly wasn't me so no idea of the name but been on the outside and working fine on the back of a 20yo tractor.

I’ve got that type ( hella ?) somewhere, come unplugged very easily so might be a very good option

 

[Migmac]

Found these. Any use dobbslc? You can have them if you want them

 

[roofman]

Optimate?
I've got two
That's what I'll be using.

yea thats it..optimate...was an early post and head mush had not yet dropped to the spinal cord

 

[Robotstar5]

Found these. Any use dobbslc? You can have them if you want them

View attachment 523039

I seem to have a few plugs, just need to find the sockets.

 

[ajlelectronics]

Anderson plugs are pretty good but might be a mess if left plugged in when you drive off.
Those tractor D plugs aren't really waterproof they are fitted inside the cab and wires usually passed through a rubber seal round the window. I've a plug on the back of the tractor which would be self disconnecting in a forgetful moment. Probably standard fit certainly wasn't me so no idea of the name but been on the outside and working fine on the back of a 20yo tractor.

Hella / Powerlet. Popular in German vehicles.

 

[ajlelectronics]

I seem to have a few plugs, just need to find the sockets.

View attachment 523046

I have handfuls of them in chassis mount format. How many would you like?

 

[voipio]

The batteries are getting old and I don't drive it much so they go flat after a couple of weeks, I want a waterproof connector in the front grill that I can just plug in quickly though so those XT60 ones won't work.

Getting a new battery would be the first thing. If that's done, there may be no need for any supplementary charging, unless the car stands for a long time, does only short journeys in between, and has a large parasitic drain with the engine off.

I had an issue with a car once, where the glove compartment light wouldn't go off, because the switch kept working its way back out of its mounting hole.

 

[Farside]

Personally I'd use a small Anderson connector, with it positioned/angled so that it should just pull out if you do forget to unplug it.

Andersons even have an optional handle for that kind of reason.

 

[voipio]

Maybe not the ideal solution in this particular case, but these waterproof housings will accommodate a pair of mated 20A Anderson powerpoles without modifications, and would be waterproof, providing the cable sheath is circular in cross section.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/CTRICALVER-Waterproof-Junction-Connector-External/dp/B08732DHXH

I'm presently using one of these to weatherproof a PL259 / SO239 coaxial plug / socket combo, although the housing needs a fair bit of fettling with large blacksmith's drills and reamers to get the connectors through, plus castration ring pliers to get the seals over.

 

[ajlelectronics]

castration ring pliers

How very polite!

 

[dobbslc]

Found these. Any use dobbslc? You can have them if you want them

View attachment 523039

Thanks for the offer but I've just discovered that Optimate do a panel mount socket with a waterproof cover so I might treat myself to one
The dilemma is that both my chargers have TM (Tamiya) type plugs but all the newest stuff is SAE fitting.
I'll probably get an Optimate extension lead as well and they only come in SAE too, nothings ever simple.