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12 Volt Direct
Every 12V setup needs the right plugs and sockets. Pick the wrong one and your fridge drops out on corrugations, or your coffee machine blows a fuse. This guide explains the common 12V connectors, what each one is good for, and how to choose cable and fuses.
The short answer: use a 50A Anderson-style plug for high-current gear like fridges, solar, battery boxes and appliances. Use a cigarette or Merit socket for small accessories up to about 10A, and a USB-C PD socket for phones and tablets.
| Connector | Typical rating | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50A Anderson-style plug | 50A | Fridges, solar, battery boxes, DC-DC chargers, 12V appliances | Grey and red housings will not join |
| Cigarette socket | Usually about 10A | Pumps, inflators, chargers, small fridges | Plugs can work loose on rough roads |
| Merit (Hella) socket | 10A | Fridges and European-style plugs | Smaller than a cigarette socket |
| USB-C PD socket | Up to 45W (our TVDSU3) | Phones, tablets, cameras | Needs a PD-capable device for full speed |
| QC 3.0 USB-A socket | 18W per port | Android phones, GPS, headlamps | Slower than USB-C PD for laptops |
| Your gear | Typical draw | Use |
|---|---|---|
| 12V fridge | 1 to 5A, more on start-up | Anderson for a secure fit, or a Merit/cigarette plug for light use |
| 12V coffee machine or air fryer | 20 to 30A | Anderson only |
| Solar panel or blanket | Up to the panel's rating | Anderson |
| Phone, tablet or camera | Under 5A | USB-C PD or QC 3.0 socket |
| Tyre inflator | 10 to 30A | Anderson or battery clamps for bigger ones |
Draw figures are typical and vary by model. Check the rating of the product you use.
Mounting sockets in a canopy, drawer or caravan? Read flush mount vs surface mount Anderson sockets.
Flush Mount Panel: Anderson, Cigarette, USB
Anderson, cigarette and USB in one panel.
$49.95
An Anderson-style plug is a heavy-duty, genderless 12V connector. The common 50A size is used for fridges, solar panels, battery boxes, DC-DC chargers and caravan connections.
They are the same plug in different colours, but the housings are keyed so a grey and a red plug will not join. Use matching colours, or a grey to red adapter lead.
A Merit (Hella) socket is the smaller European-style 12V socket. A cigarette socket is the larger common car socket. Many 12V fridges come with a combined plug that fits both. Both are usually rated around 10A.
Use Anderson for anything that draws more than about 10A, such as a coffee machine, air fryer or compressor, and for fridges where a loose cigarette plug can drop out on rough roads.
Size the cable for the current and the length of the run, and fit a fuse that protects that cable. Our 50A Anderson leads use 8 B&S (8 AWG) cable.
Yes. A USB-C PD socket charges modern iPhones, Samsungs and Pixels at full speed. Our TVDSU3 has a 45W USB-C PD port and an 18W QC 3.0 USB-A port, and fits a standard 29.2mm hole.
