Smartplug Converstion
First I give credit to the smart folks that posted on this 5th Wheel thread. https://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/30084692.cfm Particularly this link: https://marinehowto.com...
Forum Discussion
Twist-Lock® (a trademark of the Hubbell Corp) is a decent connector but is not the easiest to connect and doesn't really make good contact. Smartplug makes a thing of showing burned up plugs and connectors, which is a real issue, but probably not as much as they make it out to be. I like the idea of the Smartplug but wished it was available in a 90° design so the cord didn't stick out so from the RV. I have a 90° turn lock connector on my shore cord, and should it ever give any problems I might convert to the SmartPlug, as the screw mounting pattern is the same as the Marinco and other similar connectors.
Randy at Best Converter tried to get me to convert, however I had 1) already bought and installed the Marinco turn lock inlet and wired it in place of the hardwired shore cord, and I had already purchased an extra long (36ft) shore cord with a 90° turn lock connector with LED indicator on it.
Biggest thing I do not like about the turn lock connectors are the super fine thread collars that you have to fiddle with to get the threads to start without cross threading. The thing I like the most about the Smartplug is the ease of simply pushing the plug in place till the latches click, and the amount of contact surface area they have. Thing I do not like is the cost of the product, which is excessive.
The Smartplug has a well designed water seal that compresses as you plug the connector in.
In my motorhome, the hard wired cord worked well as the compartment the cord stowed in was large enough to wipe it off and feed in in a loop till it was all coiled up, and was easily connected to the generator outlet. On my current trailer the access door to the cord storage was rather small and the cord was a real bear to attempt to store in the compartment. I removed the door and frame, fabricated a heavy aluminum plate to fit over the opening with a Marinco turn lock connector mounted in it, and removed the storage compartment inside. Only problem is that my trailer has a built in generator and the original design was to plug the shore cord into the generator outlet INSIDE the cord storage compartment, yea, right, good luck with that!. I installed a transfer switch and connected it all together with blue smurf flex conduit and stranded THHN 10 gauge wiring.
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Perhaps many of the naysayers should first research the product before commenting or condemning it. I saw more than one comment that it didn't appear to be tested or approved, however in the website it is noted that it is tested and approved by Intertek/ETL and this is as valid a testing service as UL (and a lot cheaper I understand).
https://smartplug.com/rv/
Charles
Randy at Best Converter tried to get me to convert, however I had 1) already bought and installed the Marinco turn lock inlet and wired it in place of the hardwired shore cord, and I had already purchased an extra long (36ft) shore cord with a 90° turn lock connector with LED indicator on it.
Biggest thing I do not like about the turn lock connectors are the super fine thread collars that you have to fiddle with to get the threads to start without cross threading. The thing I like the most about the Smartplug is the ease of simply pushing the plug in place till the latches click, and the amount of contact surface area they have. Thing I do not like is the cost of the product, which is excessive.
LarryJM wrote:
I also like the Marinco type connectors since they are IMO more weatherproof and secure than a straight plug type connector.
Larry
The Smartplug has a well designed water seal that compresses as you plug the connector in.
Lynnmor wrote:
My trailer came with a twist lock detachable cord. I had failures with the blades in the cord end, the wires loosened in the inlet and the cheesy plastic ring was troublesome. I installed a locking hatch and modified it to exclude pests, then hard-wired a cord. You can argue about the merits of various contacts all you want, but I prefer a continuous wire where it passes thru combustible materials. Pulling out only what I need, easily wiping the cord clean and no need to carry and find a storage place are additional benefits.
In my motorhome, the hard wired cord worked well as the compartment the cord stowed in was large enough to wipe it off and feed in in a loop till it was all coiled up, and was easily connected to the generator outlet. On my current trailer the access door to the cord storage was rather small and the cord was a real bear to attempt to store in the compartment. I removed the door and frame, fabricated a heavy aluminum plate to fit over the opening with a Marinco turn lock connector mounted in it, and removed the storage compartment inside. Only problem is that my trailer has a built in generator and the original design was to plug the shore cord into the generator outlet INSIDE the cord storage compartment, yea, right, good luck with that!. I installed a transfer switch and connected it all together with blue smurf flex conduit and stranded THHN 10 gauge wiring.
********
Perhaps many of the naysayers should first research the product before commenting or condemning it. I saw more than one comment that it didn't appear to be tested or approved, however in the website it is noted that it is tested and approved by Intertek/ETL and this is as valid a testing service as UL (and a lot cheaper I understand).
https://smartplug.com/rv/
Charles
