Why are 12volt plugs spring loaded?

25-05-2013 03:44AM #1

This makes no sense to me it's an electrical connection that pushes itself apart by the positive.

Aidan_M_M · 25-05-2013 10:37AM

It shouldn't. There should be enough resistance between the sides if the socket and the sprung sections of the side of the plug to keep it pressed in. The spring on the positive tip then keeps it firmly in place, so the connection remains constant even when it gets moved slightly

25-05-2013 11:27AM

Hmmm, I get some of them pushing out and suffer voltage drop, disconnect, frequency hum and excess heat. Guess I oughta pull out the ground pins and avoid the bog roads.

paddyp · 27-05-2013 09:45AM

Sir Liamalot wrote: »

Hmmm, I get some of them pushing out and suffer voltage drop, disconnect, frequency hum and excess heat. Guess I oughta pull out the ground pins and avoid the bog roads.

You can bend the side springs to get more friction but you're right its a crap design considering it was originally designed for cigar lighting its not surprising. The truck places usually have the hella/din type which is much better and also a 3 pin 12/24v one.

Why are 12volt plugs spring loaded?

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