SmartPlug

[Rawn77]

I came across this interesting company that sells a new power inlet and connector for both 30 and 50 amp solutions.
Their website is www.smartplug.com

I was wondering if anyone has had any experience with this product?

Thanks,
Ron

[Jammer]

They've been around for a few years.

Fact of the matter is that the twist-lock Marinco plugs work well enough that it's not clear they solve a problem that actually exists.

[Protagonist]

Never seen one on an RV. I have seen them on a couple of boats, but boats have this unfortunate tendency to keep moving even after you park them, so there's potentially a lot more strain on the plug. With an RV, there's no movement while you're parked, and no strain other than gravity on the plug. I'm with Jammer on this one… there's no problem with the RV-industry-standard twist-lock plug that would be solved by switching to a SmartPlug.

[Skater]

Another concern I have is that if you accidentally damage the connector or something (say drive over it, or the other end of the cord is damaged by a bad socket), now you have a different problem: You're less likely to be able to find parts to repair/replace it locally.

[hshovic]

Good points.
If one damages the connector in Bumfert, TX, can one plug a 15 amp plug into the external receptacle, plug into the 15 amp receptacle on the campground post, and limp along with no air until one gets to a place to buy another plug? Nothing against Bumfert, of course.

[Al - K4GLU]

The Airstream Store sells the 30A receptacle and power cord. Not cheap. There are also quite a few sellers on eBay. Doubt it is worth replacing the Furrion or Marinco that you have now and the power cord does not have the blue led that the Fussion has to indicate correct wiring

[Skater]

Originally Posted by hshovic

Good points.
If one damages the connector in Bumfert, TX, can one plug a 15 amp plug into the external receptacle, plug into the 15 amp receptacle on the campground post, and limp along with no air until one gets to a place to buy another plug? Nothing against Bumfert, of course.

How hot does Bumfert, TX get? In summer, air conditioning is often a necessity for us.

[hshovic]

My reference to Bumfert was in jest. Just an acronym for nowwhere near a campingworld....

[J. Morgan]

I was talking to a couple yesterday who are full timing and their fifty amp plug had melted.

I think the Smart Plug might lessen this occurrence.


1/2 Ton 4WD Truck, 72 Sovereign Hensley Arrow

[Jammer]

The Smart Plug is not a replacement for the 50 amp plug that connects to the shore power box. It is a replacement for the connection from the shore power cable to the Airstream.

[Skater]

Originally Posted by hshovic

Good points.
If one damages the connector in Bumfert, TX, can one plug a 15 amp plug into the external receptacle, plug into the 15 amp receptacle on the campground post, and limp along with no air until one gets to a place to buy another plug? Nothing against Bumfert, of course.

Originally Posted by Skater

How hot does Bumfert, TX get? In summer, air conditioning is often a necessity for us.

Originally Posted by hshovic

My reference to Bumfert was in jest. Just an acronym for nowwhere near a campingworld....

I know. My point was, if it's hot wherever you are and you need the A/C, a 15 amp connection isn't going to cut it. The standard connections are readily available; even some campground stores have them.

[mimiandrews]

All of Texas is hot in the summer. Not so much this time of year.

[Skater]

Originally Posted by mimiandrews

All of Texas is hot in the summer. Not so much this time of year.

The point hshovic made was that you could still use a 15 amp connection. I responded to say that if you needed air conditioning, then a 15 amp connection wasn't enough. Clearly, I was being too subtle.

I've been in San Antonio in June. I've also been to Dallas in February in the thick of a snow/ice storm without an ice scraper for the rental car. So, I've experienced firsthand the hots and colds of Texas weather. But the point isn't about Texas at all. It's about whether you need A/C when that cord fails.

[J. Morgan]

I am just going to say that my a/c will run on a 15 amp breaker all day long, although I did install a 20 amp outlet at my home to use instead of the 15.


1/2 Ton 4WD Truck, 72 Sovereign Hensley Arrow

[Skater]

Originally Posted by J. Morgan

I am just going to say that my a/c will run on a 15 amp breaker all day long, although I did install a 20 amp outlet at my home to use instead of the 15.

Most won't, or they will but the voltage will be low, which can lead to damage. It's not something I'm willing to risk if I absolutely need AC (we travel with pets).