Smart Plug, is it worth it?

[mike28]

I am having a second a/c installed this fall with a separate 30 amp circuit, which will add a second power cord. Thinking about converting all connections to the Smart Plug which includes two inlets on trailer, a new power cord and one new plug for existing cord. $500+ to do this!

Is the Smart Plug much better? Is it worth it?

[Hans627]

I personally think it is worth the cost. And the Smart Plug is now standard on new AS's. It definitely has more contact area and it locks in place securely.

I made the conversion when one of my camping buddies melted his common twist on connector. I didn't want that to happen to me so when he replaced it with a Smart Plug and I did mine at the same time.

[kb0zke]

I upgraded the electrical on our trailer and did away with the detachable cord entirely. I cut the trailer end off, stripped the wires, and hardwired it into the Hughes Power Watchdog. That saved me quite a bit of extra wiring. When we get an Airstream this Fall I'll have to figure out how to install everything, so I may end up putting in a Smart Plug if I can keep some of the original setup.

[AgBullet]

Yes.

[waninae39]

it is worth the cost as it better .

[Fungus]

It is impossible to cross-thread, because there are no threads. I converted the cords I already owned. Installation of the receptacles was easy. I carry a spare cord while on the road.

[field & stream]

Originally Posted by Fungus

It is impossible to cross-thread, because there are no threads. I converted the cords I already owned. Installation of the receptacles was easy. I carry a spare cord while on the road.

Converting the cords is an interesting idea. How did you do it, and what did it cost? Thanks.

[sfranklin]

Yes, it's better, however, unless you make your own dog bone adapter, adapters get pretty costly. It's an expensive proposition any way you look at it. It is worth it? I think it really depends on how you look at it for your particular situation. The twist locks have been around for decades. Are they perfect? Nope. Do they work? Yup.

Smart Plugs can cost between $250 and $450 for the cable, and perhaps a couple hundred bucks for the receptacle itself that is on the trailer. A 50a to 30a adapter is about $275ish. 30a to 15a adapter is about $175 50a to 15a is about $200.

For me, all in with a 50a trailer $450 for the cable, $275 for the receptacle, $275 for a 50a to 30a adapter and $200 for a 50a to 15a adapter puts me around $1200. Sure I could prob wire my own for a less maybe knocking that price down to around $900ish. For me, today, the juice simply ain't worth the squeeze. Would it be someday, sure, but for me, not today.

[jondrew55]

Other than cost, the biggest disadvantage I see to the Smartplug is if you lose or damage your connector or cord. You can usually pick up a standard 30 or 50 amp cord anywhere. Smartplug would be more difficult to pick up in a pinch. I've had Smartplugs in my last 3 ASs and I like them. I also made up a heavy gauge 20 amp standard 110 plug to smartplug adapter for home use.

[hikingcamera]

Originally Posted by sfranklin

A 50a to 30a adapter is about $275ish. 30a to 15a adapter is about $175 50a to 15a is about $200.

Huh? My dogbone adspters all were in the $20–50 range from Camco and are the same adapters I had pre Smart Plug, because the pedestal end of an RV smart plug cord is the same as any other cord. I paid $200 some for a short 5-ish foot 30 amp to 15 amp smart plug cord for use when only connecting to a 15/20 amp outlet to avoid the heavy 30 amp cord or if needed in a pinch.

[Mollysdad]

IMO, it's a solution to a problem that doesn't exist.

[sfranklin]

Originally Posted by hikingcamera

Huh? My dogbone adspters all were in the $20–50 range from Camco and are the same adapters I had pre Smart Plug, because the pedestal end of an RV smart plug cord is the same as any other cord. I paid $200 some for a short 5-ish foot 30 amp to 15 amp smart plug cord for use when only connecting to a 15/20 amp outlet to avoid the heavy 30 amp cord or if needed in a pinch.

Good point, I simply went off this:

https://www.etrailer.com/Marine-Powe...ug/SM43VR.html

But you're right, and saved me nearly $300 if/when I go down that route!

So now my all in cost may be closer to $1k

Originally Posted by Mollysdad

IMO, it's a solution to a problem that doesn't exist.

Kind of a pin in search of a grenade.

[Fungus]

Originally Posted by field & stream

Converting the cords is an interesting idea. How did you do it, and what did it cost? Thanks.

SmartPlug BF30 30 AMP Female Connector $100.

SmartPlug BF50 50 AMP Female Connector $130.

[Shiny16]

Originally Posted by Mollysdad

IMO, it's a solution to a problem that doesn't exist.

I kinda feel this is way as well. Outside of being easier to connect what is the advantage?

[hikingcamera]

Originally Posted by Shiny16

I kinda feel this is way as well. Outside of being easier to connect what is the advantage?

Advantages:
- cannot be cross threaded
- always a secure, click in connection
- better weather sealing (these were originally designed for marine use where that is more important)
- more contact surface area on connections (arguable value add here)
- simple built in reverse polarity detection (also arguable value add here, since there are other things to be checking for, and most of us use surge protectors that have this functionality covered and more)

Originally Posted by Mollysdad

IMO, it's a solution to a problem that doesn't exist.

It’s hard to argue that the problem doesn’t exist. I hated out SOB threaded twist lock connection. It started to cross thread 4 out of 5 tries. I never got it on the first try. It was so hard to get connected properly. Whether it’s worth upgrading if your trailer didn’t come with it is more arguable. I don’t have to make that decision now, but if I had to go back to the old threaded connection, I wouldn’t love it.

[moosetags]

Over the years of extensive use, I did have several overheating issues with Lucy's twist-on shore power outlets. About five years ago I decided to install SmartPlugs all around. Lucy has two shore power inlets. I also made up two power cords so that I could have a back-up.

I have not had an issue since. It was an expensive upgrade, but Lucy is well worth it.

Brian

[uncle_bob]

Hi

Just to clarify a bit:

If you go with the Smart Plug to 15A 120V adapter that's about a foot long, it's not cheap. It also tends to be out of stock a lot of the time. Just what's going on there is very much unclear. Their other prebuilt adapters are also a bit expensive.

Grabbing a random extension cord, chopping. it up and wiring it to An "empty" Smart Plug that cost a bit over $100 is typically cheaper than their part. The same "just wire it up yourself" thing can be done for 50A or 30A to Smart Plug adapters.

Sounds great .... but .....

The typical "stock" 30A or 50A shore power cable that came with your AS *may* be a bit to big to fit in the back side of a Smart Plug. That's a maybe rather than a "for sure".

Bob

[JEB]

Originally Posted by Fungus

It is impossible to cross-thread, because there are no threads. I converted the cords I already owned. Installation of the receptacles was easy. I carry a spare cord while on the road.

If ease of hook up and avoiding cross-threading are the big advantages of the Smart Plug, then the conversion might be overkill. For $10, you can replace the threaded lock ring on the standard cordset with a Marinco Easy Lock. No threads. Just line up two tabs with grooves on the socket, miniscule clockwise turn and it’s locked. First thing I buy whenever I get a new cordset. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[Shiny16]

Originally Posted by uncle_bob

Hi

Just to clarify a bit:

If you go with the Smart Plug to 15A 120V adapter that's about a foot long, it's not cheap. It also tends to be out of stock a lot of the time. Just what's going on there is very much unclear. Their other prebuilt adapters are also a bit expensive.

Grabbing a random extension cord, chopping. it up and wiring it to An "empty" Smart Plug that cost a bit over $100 is typically cheaper than their part. The same "just wire it up yourself" thing can be done for 50A or 30A to Smart Plug adapters.

Sounds great .... but .....

The typical "stock" 30A or 50A shore power cable that came with your AS *may* be a bit to big to fit in the back side of a Smart Plug. That's a maybe rather than a "for sure".

Bob

I’m not sure I understand this. The “non RV end” is the same on the smart plug and older twist on. Why would an adapter for home or 15 amp use be different for one or the other?

[NickWP]

I used the stock 50 amp and Smart Plug adapter to upgrade my trailer to Smart Plug so it can work. Required soap to lubricate. As I recall it came with instructions.