Anyone recognise this plug

[W3GAC]

Google ‘PowerPole’. They come in many amperage ratings... bigger ones obviously higher amps. Can’t tell from your pic exact size/ amp rating, but you can measure and with size info from PowerPole site/ vendors you can determine/ order mate(s). FYI, there is not male/ female PowerPoles... they are designed to mate together. While promotion material indicates a special PowerPole crimper is needed to crimp the wire to the meter contact (that then gets pushed/ snaps into the plastic holder... you can just soldier the wire to the connector. But you can’t use a normal crimper which smashes it too wide to then fit/ snap into the plastic connector. The ham radio community has nearly completely appointed 30a PowerPoles as our standard and many hams has it-off all of their OEM power connectors and replaced everything in the radio room with PowerPoles so everything can be more easily swapped in/out, moved to their car or boat.

[stormalong]

Yes, it is an Anderson power pole. Most likely for an SSB transceiver.

[mcgann454]

I've seen them on inland lake boats that have boat lifts with motors for the lift wheel.
It uses the boats battery for the motor.

[trikola]

In addition - if I recall correctly - there is no difference between female and male - strangely enough.

[john61ct]

As I stated PowerPole is the lower-amp design, 3 interoperable sizes from 15-45A I believe, can use the same crimper, great to standardize on.

This design is from Anderson's SB line, starts at 50A, goes up past 200A.

Very commonly use for connecting camper trailers batteries from the TV.

[CarinaPDX]

I have used them on Carina for years, specifically the 30A version. They are also used by off-roaders for powering bumper-mounted winches, so are available at most auto parts stores. I have one permanently attached to the bulkhead beside the main DC power panel, and use it to power an inflator for the dinghy, and for a 300W inverter. Also, I use it to pull power for testing electrical equipment.

These connectors are hermaphroditic; that is, the same connector is used on both sides (no male or female). I have a large capacity bilge pump for emergencies with a connector on it; this can plug into the bulkhead connector for power, and the same for the inverter. I also have a pair of large (jump-start sized) alligator clips attached to a connector, allowing me to use the emergency pump on another boat by attaching to a battery (same for inverter), and also the clips can be attached to the bulkhead so I can clip onto wires for testing equipment.

Greg

[flyingnut40]

It's called Anderson Powerpole.

[Mike Banks]

It is an Anderson Plug. Used for low voltage applications up to 50 amps DC.

[john61ct]

Again.

The SB series - which is the type here - starts at 50A and goes up to hundreds of amps.

PowerPole is **different**, lower ampacity, not compatible with SB.

But, both are fantastic.

There are boots to help with "weather resistance".

[Rorzech]

Looks like the plug on my electric shaver.

[CarinaPDX]

I think I mis-remembered: mine appears to be rated at 50A, not 30A, from looking on Amazon. The same one, for 6-10 AWG wire, is listed with other ratings (120A!) but I'm pretty certain it is 50A. Many sources for this connector, and in red, black, and gray. I have had very good experiences so far.


Greg

[john61ct]

Note many Anderson patents have run out, tons of cheapie Chinese knockoffs, caveat emptor

[hzcruiser]

Originally Posted by KeithB

That is an Anderson plug. In Australia it is in very common use as a safe and reliable connector for 12v systems especially in high amp applications. Most often used in 4wd, camper trailer, caravan systems but no reason not to use on boats.

+4 yes, a typical Anderson connector. They come in different sizes for the max current you want. They're splashproof but don't have a sealing rubber gasket.


They're very versatile and often used for radios, camper trailers and solar panels. Plus and minus are marked and you can't connect them the wrong way, even though they are genderless (or they're all male). Ingenious, really, and they attracted lots of copy cats or counterfeit products, as they would call it.

[BigAl.NZ]

Thanks for all the replies. We do have a SSB at the chart table, but that works quite well without the plug in the picture plugged in.

I have not found anything on the boat with a corresponding socket for it to plug into. I presume only that it had something quite high current.

I might learn further from tracing the wires and see which circuit breaker its on.

[Sailorman Ed]

My "used" wind gen came with one, great to be able to remove the wind gen for service without having to pull out all the long heavy wires.
Great for anything you need to take apart and has significant amperage loads.