Smartplug inlet design weakness

[Dockhead]

Originally Posted by donradcliffe

I'll never again replace a 30 amp Marinco with the same design. Even the RV 30 amp plug is better. One of the Smart Plugs I put is going strong on year 8 of a liveaboard that burned up a Marinco every other year.

Indeed! Those Marinco plugs are a menace. They should be outlawed. I don't know how I got through 20 years of those without burning my boat down. Like you, I burned them up every other year, like clockwork.


As to the SmartPlug, there is strain relief on the other models. I guess the cable is so huge for the 50 amp one that it simply seemed to them that strain relief should be organized separately. I don't think it's a big challenge. Just fix the cable in place somewhere near where the socket goes in and that will do it.



I've been using a SmartPlug (a 32 amp one) for a couple of years not. I am very pleased with it -- a truly superior device. Not a trace of burning on the contacts although I use a lot of electrical heat in the winter.

[rslifkin]

I'll agree that the 30A twist locks are total crap. I hate having to plug in anywhere that only has 30A on the docks because of it. The 50A twist locks are pretty sturdy, however (both the 3 and 4 wire versions), so I don't worry about those, just monitor for corrosion or any other condition issues. Plus, I rarely get above 30A on a sustained basis on one of my 50A legs anyway. I don't think I've actually seen a 50A connector fail (and I've never experienced it personally).