<bgsound src="midimusi/bodysoul.mid" loop="2">

Miscellaneous

CAR CIGAR LIGHTER AS A POWER OUTLET

The Lighter is of course just that - a lighter. It is also a fairly good 12V receptacle. If used for its proper purpose, it is less good as a power outlet and in the marine environment it rusts.

One particular problem is its disability to hold accessory plugs securely connected. Also the inner diameter varies slightly from one make to another making matters difficult for accessory plug producers. As a rule the Lighter is ignition key dependant. All this adds up to recurrent current stoppages. The spring action of coiled accessory cords does not help either.

In general it is not too much bother to plug in again. It is quite a different matter, however, if you are recharging expensive camcorder, and/or mobile phone batteries. No matter what they say, rechargeable batteries should be recharged in one go. And it is good practice to leave the phone on now and then to empty the battery.

We recommend the Surface Socket for installation in cars as it takes only two small screw holes and you have plenty of room for this somewhat bulkier version under the dashboard, under a seat etc... As always, do not forget the fuse.

ACCESSORY PLUGS

It is important that the connecting hot tip be wide. The connecting end should be spring loaded and a little pump action, when inserting the plug, gets the end into its best connecting position.

Beware of fused plugs. The fuse is there to make the plug look better than it is. You do not have fuses in your household current pin-plugs, do you? Fuses blow eventually. In plugs they get a rather rough treatment at that and need to get replaced even sooner. Well, spare fuses, and of the correct amperage?

If an accessory comes with a fused plug, it is very likely that there is no fuse inside the accessory. Obviously the thing is of questionable quality and in need of a fuse, but relying on one in the plug is not acceptable.

In the low voltage environment like in our homes the fuses should be between current source and power outlet, and not in any plugs.

Also there are plugs with a diode to show that it works. I suspect for the same reasons as the fuse. There are no shining diodes in the 220V pin-plugs in my house. These plugs are harmless, but cost a little extra thanks to this rather unnecessary feature.

COPIES OF THE SUTARS RANGE OF SOCKETS

In spite of construction patents and pattern registrations, copies have turned up. Rather than getting involved in long law suits, we have tried to better the products to stay ahead of the swines, to keep stable prices, to have ample stocks for quick shipments.Well, I have made a few threats, that´s all. I am very happy to be able to say that I have found no copies as standard equipment in the better boats, world wide.

I was a little flattered when I met the first copy. Products without sales potential are not copied. In a way the copies contribute to making this type of plug-socket system permanent, which is good for my business. But ......

The copies look like ours so I do not expect people at large to see the difference, until later that is. Of inferior quality, they are damaging to the system and cause us loss of goodwill, unfairly.

Messrs. Copiers reconsider, be gentlemen. Put the tools in your boat, row out and see if they float! I know who you are, and I am not far from listing names now. Of course, I cannot help mentioning you when meeting people in our line of business, and I travel a lot.

Bo.

Sorry your browser doesn't support java