Holiday Gift Guide for Boaters 2021 SmartPlug December 2, 2021 7:00 am Have you finished all of your shopping yet? If you’ve got a boater on your list, we have some great gift ideas for you! Check out our top five gift ideas for the boater in your life: The holiday season is officially underway! Have you finished all of your shopping yet? If you’ve got a boater on your list, we have some great gift ideas for you! Check out our top five gift ideas for the boater in your life: Cooler Chair – A backpack, folding chair, and cooler all in one? Yes, please! This gift is perfect for boating as it has multiple uses and takes up minimum space. The durable cooler chair is convenient and sure to come in handy for any boater. Price $36.99 Purchase here. 10-in-1 Boat Gadget – A small gadget featuring ten tools any boater may need. This tool includes a square drain plug wrench, safety whistle, gas cap key, gas cap crank, drain plug tool, bottle opener, wine opener, canvas snap opener, fishing line cutter, and t-bar drain plug hole crank. Reduce clutter and have the tools you need right at your fingertips. Price $32.99 Purchase here. Shore Power System – Out with old twist-type connectors and in with the revolutionary SmartPlug. With triple weatherproof seals, solid sleeve connection, and multi-point locking systems, the SmartPlug is not only easy to use but is the safest power delivery system available on the market. Give the gift of safety to the boater on your list! Click here for pricing and to purchase. Underwater Lights – If the boater in your life enjoys a nighttime boat cruise, these underwater LED lights are a great addition to their boat. Not only are they available in fun colors to give the boat a unique look, but they also help shine a light on the waters around the boat and let other boaters know you are there. Price: $65.00 Purchase here. Fish Finder – A fish finder is a perfect way to help the boater on your list reel in a big one! Featuring a high-frequency sonar, this fish finder can help show where objects, structures, and fish are in the waters beneath the boat. Price $100+ Purchase here. As avid boaters, we can’t recommend these products enough. We hope the boater on your holiday list enjoys whichever gift you choose, and be sure to mention SmartPlug gave you the idea! Happy holidays!
The Ultimate Thanksgiving RV Camping Pack List
The Ultimate Thanksgiving RV Camping Pack List SmartPlug November 17, 2021 9:05 am Thanksgiving is upon us! For committed RV enthusiasts, heading out on an RV adventure for the holidays is an exciting way to celebrate and spend time with the family. If you’re planning on spending Thanksgiving in your RV, we’ve put together the ultimate camping pack list for you: Emergency Road Kit – Accidents happen and it’s always best to be prepared. Your emergency kit should be equipped with jumper cables, a reflective safety vest, a flashlight, warning triangle, pocketknife, and first aid gear. While we hope your RV adventure is free from emergencies, at least you’ll have your kit just in case an accident arises. Heated Blanket – You never know when the temperature may drop. Having a heated blanket is the perfect way to add extra warmth when you need it without having to pack and use potentially dangerous space heaters. Portable Generator – Being stuck without power can certainly ruin your holiday getaway. It’s always smart to pack a small portable generator so you have backup power whenever you need it. Family Entertainment – What better way to make memories on your adventure than cozying up by the fire with your family! Be sure to pack some fun board games, books, magazines, and even a smores kit for a delicious treat. Leveling Blocks – Who wants to sleep on a crooked bed?! Leveling blocks are one of those items you won’t always need but are always great to have. These compact “blocks” level out your wheels on uneven terrain. While you may not need these on every trip, they are easy enough to store and you’ll be thankful in the event you do need them! Secure Electrical Connection – When hooked up to electricity, you want to be sure your connection is safe and secure so your mind can be at ease and enjoy this special time with your family. SmartPlug offers a revolutionary lineup of power delivery products including shore power connections and power cords. The solid sleeve connection, multi-point locking system, and weatherproof seals ensure a safe connection every time. Thanksgiving Feast – What is a thanksgiving getaway without the thanksgiving feast? Since your RV is limited on space, consider downsizing your feast and packing items that are smaller and easier to store like canned veggies, boxed potatoes, and baking mixes. Cooking a turkey requires the oven to be on for hours so maybe opt for a smaller turkey loin, meatloaf, or even a sandwich instead. If your route allows, consider stopping at a farm stand for fresh local produce and maybe cater the turkey too. Even without all the traditional fixings, a feast on your RV is sure to be a memorable experience for the whole family! Are you heading out for a Thanksgiving RV adventure? We’d love to hear where you are going and what is on your packing list. Tell us in the comments!
50 Amps of Power is Safer with SmartPlug
50 Amps of Power is Safer with SmartPlug SmartPlug October 4, 2021 3:30 pm On a vessel, 50 amps is enough power to run a microwave or A/C unit. It’s also more than enough power to melt the housing of a traditional twist-type marine shore power connector and inlet. The revolutionary SmartPlug cordset overcomes the inadequacies of this old technology to deliver a safer, simpler, and more secure 50A 125/250V electric supply. Unlike twist-type connectors with their thin corrosion-prone blades, the SmartPlug uses a robust pin and clip design that provides over 27 times the metal-to-metal contact. This lessens electrical resistance and reduces the potential for arcing and overheating. It is the safest shore power cordset on the market today. Anyone who has fumbled with orienting the L blade and trying to thread the collar of a twist-type connector in poor conditions knows what a headache it can be. The SmartPlug connector pushes straight in and fastens securely with a rugged four-point locking system. It’s also asymmetrical, so there are no alignment issues—plugging into shore power can be accomplished with one hand. The bright orange SmartPlug connector is built with a durable heat-and impact-resistant polymer. New for 2021 is a reverse polarity indicator light that is now standard on all cordsets. Integrated into the boat-side female end are two LED lights. When the blue light is on, power is flowing correctly. If there is an unsafe condition, the red lamp will glow. Unique in the market, SmartPlug cables use tinned wire to minimize corrosion from the elements. The company utilizes Superflex cable that combines flexibility and durability and makes for easy coiling even in freezing weather. SmartPlug 50A cordsets are available in 25′ and 50′ lengths. Prices start at $730.50. Versions in 16A, 30A, and 32A configurations are also available. If the boat is not already equipped with a SmartPlug inlet, users can purchase an upgrade kit with an inlet and connector. The inlet is available in stainless steel, black, white, or gray to match any boat décor. Superior IP56-rated gaskets ensure a watertight seal. Contact SmartPlug Systems, 2500 Westlake Ave N., Ste. G, Seattle, WA 98109-2262. 206-285-2990; Fax: 206-285-2981. Info@sp2024.10web.cloud; www.sp2024.10web.cloud; Facebook, Twitter.
Health Benefits of Getting Outdoors During Covid-19
Health Benefits of Getting Outdoors During Covid-19 SmartPlug October 15, 2021 3:32 am Almost two years later and many families across the US are still feeling the effects of Covid-19. Out of precautions due to Covid-19 exposure, families are often asked to quarantine. If everyone is feeling healthy, staying indoors can be monotonous. One of the main things families have turned to during a Covid-19 quarantine is nature. Whether your family enjoys boating or RVing, there are many positive benefits to getting outside. Here are 3 benefits to getting outdoors during a quarantine: Positive Effects on Mental Health: Being cooped up for days at a time can be stressful, overwhelming, and can lead to anxiety and other mental health issues. Getting outdoors can be therapeutic. The sights and sounds of nature can be soothing while activities like fishing and kayaking can be calming. Change of Scenery: After so much time in your house, it likely feels like the walls are closing in. Getting outside can help to switch up the scenery. If you are an RV enthusiast, consider exploring new parks and trails. If you are a boater, head to a new beach or other scenic destination. Quality Time with Family: While you may spend a lot of time indoors with your family,getting outdoors offers new adventures to appreciate. Turn off the TV, put down your phones, and you can truly enjoy each other’s company. The memories will be priceless! Don’t forget, getting outside will also boost your vitamin D levels and offer some good old-fashioned exercise! Just remember to remain socially distanced from those you encounter on your nature adventure during a Covid-19 quarantine. Before you head out, be sure your RV or boat is equipped with the safest shower power delivery system available on the market! SmartPlug is simple and secure and will ensure a safe outing for you and your family. What is your favorite outdoor activity? Tell us in the comments!
Fall RV Tips
Fall RV Tips SmartPlug September 22, 2021 12:58 am Happy Fall! As people head back to their everyday routines and the foliage begins to change, Fall is a wonderful time to head out on an RV adventure. We’ve put together a few helpful tips to make your Fall RV travels a success: Research Destinations As the weather is changing across most parts of the country, you’ll want to do a little research on what destination is right for your Fall travels. Are you still wanting to hit the beach, or would you rather take in the beautiful foliage? Consider your desired temperature and scenery and do some research to see what locations make the most sense for you. 2. Prep Your RV for the New Season As the seasons change, it’s always a good idea to give your RV a safety check. Double-check tire pressure, brakes, and towing gear. If you happen to run into slippery or icy road conditions, you’ll want to know your RV is equipped to handle it. With cooler temperatures, you may need to make some adjustments to your RV. Double-check your heating system is working properly before heading out, so you don’t run into an issue during your trip. It’s also smart to ensure your water systems are protected in the event you encounter freezing temperatures. Lastly, give your electrical connections a thorough examination. Are your connectors showing signs of water damage, burns, or rust from a busy summer season? Upgrade your electrical connection to SmartPlug to ensure the safest shore power delivery throughout all of your travels. 3. Pack Accordingly With your destination picked and your RV prepped, it’s time to pack for your trip. Since you know where you’ll be heading, you should pack appropriately for the climate. Keep in mind, even if you’re headed to a warmer destination, it’s always a good idea to have extra clothing layers handy. Regardless of your destination, we always recommend packing sunscreen and insect repellant as you never know if you’ll have a sunny Fall day! Wishing you a delightful Fall season ahead! Where are you headed in your RV? We’d love to hear about it – tell us in the comments!
What to Expect When Living in an RV
What to Expect When Living in an RV SmartPlug September 9, 2021 12:55 am At first thought, the idea of permanently living in an RV sounds like an everlasting vacation lifestyle. While there are many advantages to living on the road, there are some things that people don’t account for when planning this major lifestyle change. Here we break down some popular myths about RV living: Living In an RV Is Cheap: With proper planning, living in an RV can help you save a significant amount of money compared to owning/renting a home, but remember, there are expenses to this lifestyle as well. Regular expenses include fuel, fees at campgrounds/parks, frequent grocery shopping since storage is limited, and any maintenance required on your travels. You’ll also need to factor in fees for WIFI, cable, and other entertainment. Working From the RV Will Be Easy: With a smaller living space, it’s likely you won’t have a spacious office to work from. With deadlines and hectic days, working a full-time job from your RV can easily become stressful. Keep in mind, you’ll need to rely on WIFI available at the camp/park or bring your portable WIFI to ensure a steady connection. Sometimes you may need to work from a local coffee shop or set up your “office” outdoors to break up the day-to-day. Not every RV camp or park will be your favorite. Some will be dirty, crowded, and outdated while others are so wonderful, you’ll want to stay awhile. Do your research and read reviews to try and get a true feel for where you are headed. The best part is, if you don’t like where you set up, you can always leave and head somewhere else! There are many wonderful perks to living in an RV! Some of our top picks include: Picturesque nature views One-of-a-kind experiences Travel everywhere with “your own home” Freedom and flexibility to travel wherever you’d like Before you turn your RV living dream into a reality, be sure to do your due diligence. Do your research, crunch the numbers, and speak to others who have been living the lifestyle for a while. You’ll want a full understanding before making the commitment! Are you currently living in an RV? We’d love to hear your best tip – tell us in the comments!
RV Travel Myths
RV Travel Myths SmartPlug August 4, 2021 6:00 am If you’re a rookie RVer, you’ll want to check out the following myths before you head out on your next RV adventure: With so much information and opinions available on the internet these days, it’s hard to differentiate if what you’re reading is accurate and helpful. As avid RV enthusiasts for many years, we’re here to bust some popular RV travel myths. If you’re a rookie RVer, you’ll want to check out the following myths before you head out on your next RV adventure: Myth 1 – Don’t Travel With Your Water Tank Full So long as you don’t put your RV over its Gross Vehicle Weight Rating, it is completely fine to travel with your water tank filled. The water tank is meant to be filled so you can use it. So, check your weight with the tank full and confirm you aren’t close to your maximum Gross Vehicle Weight Rating. Myth 2 – It’s Ok to Travel With Your Propane On It is never a good idea to travel with your propane on. Propane is extremely flammable, and it is never worth the risk. If you’re worried as to whether or not your refrigerator will stay cold without it on, the likelihood is everything will stay cool for the few hours you’re on the road. If you’re that concerned, add a few freezer packs to your fridge for extra caution. Only turn on your propane when you are stopped and at camp. Myth 3 – You Need Camping Memberships Oftentimes, beginning RVers think that getting various camping memberships will be beneficial. Until you get out and visit different RV camps, you won’t know what is best suited for you. We recommend getting some miles on the road before you sign-up and make a financial commitment to a membership. We hope you enjoy your next RV adventure – travel safe!
SmartPlug Adds Personnel and Expands Facility
SmartPlug Adds Personnel and Expands Facility SmartPlug July 27, 2021 9:15 am SmartPlug Systems LLC, leading manufacturer of safety-focused power delivery products for boats, RVs and specialty vehicles, continues to expand by adding Andrew Lankford as a quality assurance engineer along with moving to a larger facility. SmartPlug Systems LLC, leading manufacturer of safety-focused power delivery products for boats, RVs, and specialty vehicles, continues to expand by adding Andrew Lankford as a Quality Assurance Engineer along with moving to a larger facility. The new location increases the company’s manufacturing footprint by 40% to help keep pace with growing demand for its products. Tony Barber, CEO, made the announcement. Lankford will support SmartPlug’s quality policy and leverage his experience in lean manufacturing and knowledge of ISO 9001 standards. Lankford has led numerous Kaizen events and has a great understanding of “design for manufacturing.” He holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Bellevue College. “Andrew has the unique ability to observe and assess a production line and offer immediate solutions on how to improve its efficiency, quality control and ergonomics, while reducing waste,” said Barber. “We’re excited to have him on our team and look forward to him helping us bring SmartPlug to the next level of manufacturing.” The company’s new facility affords additional production and assembly space to parallel increased product demand from both OEMs and aftermarket outlets. Made in the USA, the revolutionary SmartPlug replaces traditional twist-type AC power connections. Offered in 16A, 30A, 32A and 50A, the innovative plug and inlet design reduces electrical resistance and overheating to provide a safer and more efficient electrical delivery. SmartPlug Systems holds Canadian CSA, Europe CE, Intertek ETL and US ETL certifications. Contact SmartPlug Systems, 2500 Westlake Ave N., Ste. G, Seattle, WA 98109-2262. 206-285-2990; Fax: 206-285-2981. Info@sp2024.10web.cloud; www.sp2024.10web.cloud; www.facebook.com/SmartPlug; twitter.com/SmartPlugSystem.
SmartPlug’s Now Even Safer With Reverse Polarity LED
SmartPlug’s Now Even Safer With Reverse Polarity LED SmartPlug July 6, 2021 6:00 am SmartPlug Systems announced that all its RV cordsets now have an integrated LED reverse polarity indicating system. This important safety feature protects owners and RVs against improperly wired campground power pedestals and conforms with 2020 NFPA 70® Standard 551.40(D). Reverse polarity occurs when the neutral or ground wire is connected to the hot terminal in error. RVers typically aren’t aware of this dangerous situation when plugging their camper, trailer, or motorhome into a campground pedestal. While the power may appear to function normally, indicating that all is well, there is a serious potential risk of electric shock or a short circuit that could damage valuable electrical components. Similar to a residential plug testing tool, the enhanced SmartPlug has an easy-to-use color LED display. RVers will instantly know if power from the campground is flowing correctly with a blue LED. If the ground wire is swapped in a reverse polarity condition, a red light will glow. Likewise, if the neutral wire is swapped, both the red and blue lights will illuminate. If there’s no power at all, the LEDs will not light. Owners can then notify campground staff of the problem. “Protecting people has always been at the forefront of everything we do at SmartPlug Systems,” said company President Tony Barber. “The SmartPlug is the safest RV shore power plug on the market and we’re pleased to enhance it with the reverse polarity feature.” The revolutionary SmartPlug replaces old, outdated twist-type shore power connections. Featuring a robust pin and clip design, it offers over 27 times the metal-to-metal contact than traditional systems for maximum power transfer. With an asymmetrical shape, it slides straight in, so there’s no aligning a delicate “L” blade, nor fumbling with the threads of a locking ring. Dual side locks keep the plug securely in place. SmartPlug provides the LED reverse polarity indicating system on its 30A and 50A cordsets in 25′ and 50′ lengths. Available in orange and white, prices start at $230. Contact SmartPlug Systems, 2500 Westlake Ave N., Ste. G, Seattle, WA 98109-2262. 206-285-2990; Fax: 206-285-2981. Info@sp2024.10web.cloud; www.sp2024.10web.cloud; www.facebook.com/SmartPlug; twitter.com/SmartPlugSystem.
Summer Safety: Product Spotlight: SmartPlug Combo Kit for Marine
Summer Safety: Product Spotlight: SmartPlug Combo Kit for Marine SmartPlug June 23, 2021 6:07 am At SmartPlug, our number one goal is keeping boaters safe while out on the water. Did you know… the #1 cause of shore power failure and fires is not electrical shorting, but rather overheating caused by poor electrical conductivity. Our shore power inlets and shore power connectors are designed to be simple, safe and secure so that you can power your watercraft without worry. With the summer season nearly upon, we thought it would be a perfect time to highlight one of our best-selling shore power systems – the SmartPlug Combo Kit. The SmartPlug Combo Kit includes a SmartPlug Inlet and Connector and offers superior performance and ease of use. Benefits include: Eliminating Overheating – Increased pin & clip surface area greatly improves electrical conductivity during high amperage demand. Ease of Use – No twist required, the unique plug body shape and push-in design means it only goes in the right way every time-even in the dark! Multi-Point Locking System – Side clips lock the plug securely into the inlet which eliminates any stress on the pins from movement of the power cord. Weatherproof Seals – Multi-fin silicone gaskets installed in the inlet cover and interior of the plug body eliminates moisture penetration. Quick & Easy Installation – Inlet mounting flange holes match twist-type holes for an installation that is typically finished in 30 minutes. Available in 16 Amp, 32 Amp, 30 Amp, 50 Amp 7 Year Warranty is the longest in the business Before you head out to enjoy all the summer season has to offer, be sure to equip your boat with SmartPlug! https://youtu.be/jMlzbbGsjhQ?si=qsQDUjBDtqTdXilz For more information on our marine product line, head over to our website and feel free to reach out with any questions you may have!