Need Heavy Duty Outdoor Plug

[uscarry45]

This is slightly off topic but I need your assistance in finding a plug that is outdoor rated and can except 8 guage wire and handle 50 amps.

I am in the process of having a flatbed built for my work pickup. I run a industrial air compressor and fuel transfer pump that I want to be easily remove when not in use, hence the need for a plug in.

I would prefer something like a trailer plug in setup with a door that shuts when not plugged in, but I can't find anything that will except heavy enough wire.

I looked at the Anderson connectors which are rated sufficiently and will work with 8 gauge or heavier wire, but they don't permanently mount the way I would like.

Any ideas?

Thanks

 

[larry_g]

Is this for 12vdc stuff or 120/240 vac?

lg
no neat sig line

 

[zmaxmotorsports]

Check a camper/rv dealer.

 

[G_P]

Marine dealer might have something. I've seen some pretty big shore power cables on larger boats. They must have 50a rated sockets/plugs for outdoor use on the boats.

 

[ambenz]

RV or Boat supply...Yup, good info!

 

[Rob_b]

http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/item/50-amp-125-250v-flanged-inlet-with-power-smart-led/69571

Here's a start...

 

[Scsmith42]

For 120/240vac the RV receptacles are your most cost effective option. Typically they have the docket that Rob_b posted mounted on the side of the unit, and the shore power cable has a standard 4 pin 50a plug and a twist lock 50a female connector on the other end.

If I am remembering correctly you will need a 6 guage wire to carry a full 50a.


Scott

 

[wyliesdiesels]

If this is for a motor, the recepticle and plug needs to be rated for the same or greater than the HP rating of the motor...

 

[Labradorian]

If this is for a motor, the recepticle and plug needs to be rated for the same or greater than the HP rating of the motor...

Not really...

Receptacles and plugs are rated based on the FLA of the motor. Every 5HP motor is different, not all have the same amp rating.

It's the switches, contactors and relays that need to have a HP ratings to be used on motor circuits. Plugs and receptacles don't have HP ratings.

CHeers

 

[Charles (in GA)]

Not really...

Receptacles and plugs are rated based on the FLA of the motor. Every 5HP motor is different, not all have the same amp rating.

It's the switches, contactors and relays that need to have a HP ratings to be used on motor circuits. Plugs and receptacles don't have HP ratings.

CHeers

Absolutely not true. Plugs and receptacles are also motor rated. You wont find a blade type receptacle or plug ( or a turn locking type ) that is rated for more than 3 hp. Above that you will need to use very expensive pin and sleeve type connectors.

Charles

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Not really...

Receptacles and plugs are rated based on the FLA of the motor. Every 5HP motor is different, not all have the same amp rating.

It's the switches, contactors and relays that need to have a HP ratings to be used on motor circuits. Plugs and receptacles don't have HP ratings.

CHeers

Man what are u smoking ....completely wrong!

 

[ishiboo]

Absolutely not true. Plugs and receptacles are also motor rated. You wont find a blade type receptacle or plug ( or a turn locking type ) that is rated for more than 3 hp. Above that you will need to use very expensive pin and sleeve type connectors.

Charles

Huh?

Hubbell makes L16-30 products good for 10HP. I'm not seeing any 50A horsepower-rated items though.

That being said, IMO it'd be fine to use a non-rated connector in this application, I just wouldn't plug/unplug any connector with a huge compressor running on it!

 

[Labradorian]

Man what are u smoking ....completely wrong!

lol Let me reword my post as it's caused some confusion. I didn't mean that plugs and receptacles are not HP rated.

When you select a plug or receptacle it is determined mainly on the FLA and voltage of the load.

Go to your electrical supply place and ask for a 5 hp plug. it's not how you select a plug. ArKtite plugs and receptacles are available in 30, 60, 100 and higher, not selected by HP. These are HP rated anyways. Twist lock plugs are HP rated too.

My apologies for derailing the OP original question........just wanted clarifiy my post...

carry on

 

[Labradorian]

This is slightly off topic but I need your assistance in finding a plug that is outdoor rated and can except 8 guage wire and handle 50 amps.

I am in the process of having a flatbed built for my work pickup. I run a industrial air compressor and fuel transfer pump that I want to be easily remove when not in use, hence the need for a plug in.

I would prefer something like a trailer plug in setup with a door that shuts when not plugged in, but I can't find anything that will except heavy enough wire.

I looked at the Anderson connectors which are rated sufficiently and will work with 8 gauge or heavier wire, but they don't permanently mount the way I would like.

Any ideas?

Thanks

..try this lin.k it is a Hubbel pfd catalog, they do have 50A ones. on page B32

http://www.hubbellcatalog.com/wiring/catalogpages/section-b.pdf

page B32

 

[wyliesdiesels]

lol Let me reword my post as it's caused some confusion. I didn't mean that plugs and receptacles are not HP rated.

When you select a plug or receptacle it is determined mainly on the FLA and voltage of the load.

Go to your electrical supply place and ask for a 5 hp plug. it's not how you select a plug. ArKtite plugs and receptacles are available in 30, 60, 100 and higher, not selected by HP. These are HP rated anyways. Twist lock plugs are HP rated too.

My apologies for derailing the OP original question........just wanted clarifiy my post...

carry on

I see youre in Canada. In the US, to be compliant, u select the plug or recepticle based on the HP rating of the motor.

To redeem myself.....try this lin.k it is a Hubbel twistlock selector, they do have 50A ones. Just one option.

http://ecatalog.hubbell-wiring.com/TL/TLWeb/Default.aspx

Cheers

Most if not ALL of the 240v(6-*) Ps and Rs are rated for max 3HP. So u couldnt use them with a motor over 3HP...

 

[Charles (in GA)]

Huh?

Hubbell makes L16-30 products good for 10HP. I'm not seeing any 50A horsepower-rated items though.

L16-30 is a 3 phase, 480 volt plug and connector.

If it is rated at 10 hp it probably has to do with the 480v rating... and the 3 phase.

Charles

 

[uscarry45]

Thanks everyone for the information. Everything is DC current, but I don't see why an AC plug wouldn't work.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

Thanks everyone for the information. Everything is DC current, but I don't see why an AC plug wouldn't work.

Uh, this changes things entirely. What voltage is this? Generally an AC plug will not be near heavy enough for large DC loads.

 

[Scsmith42]

I can see 8 guage wire working for most fuel transfer pumps, but not a 12 or 24v "industrial" compressor. One of the Superflow pumps for airing up off-road tires - maybe, but those do not have a 100% duty cycle like one would expect from an "industrial" compressor.

The correct connector for your application would be an Battery link connector such as is used on forklift batteries and golf cart battery chargers. You can buy them from Delcity.com

http://www.delcity.net/store/Link-Connectors-&-Housings/p_112


Scott

 

[ishiboo]

Uh, this changes things entirely. What voltage is this? Generally an AC plug will not be near heavy enough for large DC loads.

No it doesn't.

50A is 50A. If it's fine at 240v/50A it'll be fine at 12V/50A. The insulation is for a higher AC voltage, so it'll be fine for a DC load.

I would use an on-board charger though and run AC with a self-ejecting plug.

 

[ishiboo]

I would go with a Marinco trolling motor plug. They're good for 60A. They're essentially regular Hubbell twist-lock products for the most part, but will do better being outside in a vehicle application for corrosion protection since they're tinned/etc. and not just brass.

I can see 8 guage wire working for most fuel transfer pumps, but not a 12 or 24v "industrial" compressor. One of the Superflow pumps for airing up off-road tires - maybe, but those do not have a 100% duty cycle like one would expect from an "industrial" compressor.

The correct connector for your application would be an Battery link connector such as is used on forklift batteries and golf cart battery chargers. You can buy them from Delcity.com

http://www.delcity.net/store/Link-Connectors-&-Housings/p_112


Scott

That's what he referred to as an Anderson connector. They're not that great for frequent plugging/unplugging and the elements.