These switch panels fill a gap in our product range by offering a solution to those customers wanting integrated switching and circuit protection. UK-made using high quality Carling switchgear, they are stylish and robust and come pre-wired so there's minimal work involved during installation. Available in various configurations including switches only, switches/fuses or switches/circuit-breakers, plus there is a matching twin-battery status meter in the range. Some panels are water-resistant and suitable for use in cockpit areas where exposure to spray and rain is likely. All variants come with self-adhesive legend sets.

Find out more: Switch Panels

Find out more: Blue Sea Systems Terminal Blocks

Find out more: Blue Sea Systems Feed-Through Power Connectors

Find out more: Panel Mounted, Switchable Circuit Breakers

Sterling's multi-award winning range of 'Pro Charge Ultra' multi-stage battery chargers are suitable for use in professional and recreational applications alike. Packed with a host of useful features and utilising some of the very best charging technology available they are designed for high reliability, un-rivalled charging performance and global use. Sterling are at the forefront of charging technology and the Pro Charge Ultra range are fitted by many of the World's largest production boat builders as original equipment. Suitable for all battery types including wet lead acid (open and sealed), AGM, Gel, calcium and lithium.

Find out more: Sterling Mains Battery Chargers

Find out more: Sterling Battery-To-Battery Chargers

• Direct alternator charging used in a traditional split charge system with a VSR will only achieve around an 80% charge state. VSRs simply allow charge to pass directly from the alternator to the auxiliary battery whereas Battery-To-Battery chargers take the alternator output and boost or reduce it to provide a stable voltage output according to a multi-stage charging profile. This provides a 100% re-charge for your leisure battery in a controlled way and typically achieves it around 5x faster than with direct alternator charging.
• Current flow is limited by the charger's current rating, eliminating potentially damaging high in-rush currents and allowing the use of smaller connecting cable than with VSR-based split charge systems.
• Using a battery-to-battery charger is the only solution if you intend to re-charge a second battery in a modern vehicle that has an ECU-controlled 'smart' alternator (generally Euro 5/6 compliant engines onward). These have a highly variable voltage output that is often too low to provide a charge or (in the case of regenerative braking systems) so high that it can damage some battery types.  VSRs are not suitable for use with 'smart' alternators and a battery-to-battery charger must be used instead.

Find out more: Sterling Battery-To-Battery Chargers

Powerpole connectors from Anderson Power Products provide a smart, simple and extremely versatile connection solution for cable sizes from 1.5mm² up to 35mm².  They are a genderless design, so just flip one housing upside down and push it together with another of the same size to make a connection. They can also be interlocked side-to-side, top-to-bottom and at 90º to each other to form banks of connectors in multiple configurations, allowing blocks to be keyed and prevent incorrect connection.

Find out more: Anderson Powerpole Connectors

These clever adaptors allow you to easily and neatly connect 10mm OD convoluted sleeving to 2, 3 or 4-way Superseal connectors, providing un-interrupted protection for your cable and creating an extremely professional finish to your wiring harnesses. The grooves in the sleeving sit tightly inside the adaptor, creating a solid interface with high pull-off force that provides effective strain relief and prevents accidental damage to the cable during connection and disconnection. Available in straight or 90º swivel versions.

Find out more:  Superseal Connector Adaptors For Waterproof Sleeving

This high quality, rugged fusebox is designed for use in damp environments such as engine compartments, bilges, cockpits and even external mounting on vehicles. It has 10 holders for automotive-style blade fuses and features red LEDs against each circuit to indicate fuse failure.  A ribbed silicone seal runs around the fuse compartment forming a waterproof seal against the lid, whilst a rubber gasket ensures a watertight fitting between the rear of the fusebox and the panel surface. There are also 6 additional slots to store spare fuses so they're to hand when you need them.

Find out more: Waterproof Panel Mounted Standard Blade Fuse Box With LEDs - 10 Way

We're pleased to announce that we're now stocking a range of LED lights from UK designer and manufacturer, Labcraft.  Established for over 50 years, Labcraft have a proven track record of innovative, high quality products with stylish designs and are a popular and trusted brand within the auto, marine, leisure and commercial markets. Most of these lights are backed by a 10 year guarantee so you can be confident of their performance and reliability.

The range includes very high power scene lights, awning lights and strip lights - all waterpoof to IP67. We are also stocking their dual-colour map/chart light and a Passive Infra-Red (PIR) sensor for automatic light operation.

Last minute update: Last few lights from our initial stock remaining with more expected to arrive on Thursday 1st October

Find out more: Labcraft External Lights | Labcraft Map/Chart Light | Labcraft PIR Sensor

We introduced a comprehensive range of heat shrink crimp terminals a few months ago and a dedicated tool is now available for crimping these. General purpose tools for crimping red/blue/yellow pre-insulated terminals have a tendency to damage and even pierce the heat shrink tubing, potentially allowing moisture to penetrate and corrosion to take hold. These dedicated ratchet crimpers feature a special flat jaw profile that crimps the conductor effectively without damaging the heat shrink tubing, ensuring that your terminals maintain their moisture resistant properties.

Priced at £38.42 inc. VAT

Find out more:  Heat Shrink Terminal Ratchet Crimping Tool

We've extended our range of crimp terminals and connectors this month to include these adhesive-lined heat shrink versions. The terminals are first crimped over the cable and then the insulation is shrunk with a heat gun or torch until the adhesive lining melts and flows throughout, providing the dual-benefit of a long-lasting environmental seal and excellent strain relief for the cable.

These terminals have passed rigorous tests for sealing and pull-off loadings and are superior to standard pre-insulated terminals, making them them the 1st choice for use in demanding environments such as marine or external vehicle wiring applications.

To see the adhesive-lined heat shrink at work take a look at our Youtube clip below:

Find out more: Adhesive-lined heat shrink terminals and connectors

These dual power posts from marine electrical components specialists Blue Sea Systems feature 2 electrically isolated 3/8" studs mounted in a compact and tough glass-filled nylon block. Primarily intended for extending starter motor cables from outboard engines, they are also ideal for joining cables in any high current application on boats or in vehicles and can be used as an alternative to 2 individual power distribution posts.  Rated up to 48V with corrosion resistant stainless steel fixings they also come complete with dual-entry, red and black PVC  terminal covers.

Find out more: Dual power posts

This brand new surface-mounted LED ceiling light is suitable for both internal and external use thanks to its IP67 rated waterproof housing and convenient touch sensitive ON/OFF switch.  The body is a sleek aluminium extrusion that has been anodised for corrosion protection and is finished with black end caps. The high intensity cool white light output of  320 lumens (approximately equivalent to a 25W halogen bulb) is achieved by using 32 surface mounted LEDs and the light comes complete with sealed flying leads and stainless fixings. At only 21mm high this low profile light is ideal for any commercial, marine or leisure application where it might be exposed to moisture (e.g. awning light, external mounting on a vehicle etc.).

Find out more: Waterproof LED light with touch ON/OFF switch

Although we have stocked fused battery terminal clamps for some time now we have only just received matching covers so are finally able to add them to our range. Made from flexible PVC and available in right or left hand entry options, they provide protection against damage and shorting for your terminal clamps and cube fuses.

Find out more: Fused terminal clamp covers

Fuses are critical in any electrical system to protect the cable from a dangerous over-current situation but it is important to appreciate that only the section of cable after the fuse is protected. In  a typical battery installation it is common to find a short section of cable between the +ve battery terminal and the first fuse, and if this section of cable shorts to ground then the fuse is by-passed and will not protect the cable. Normal practice is to keep this un-protected section as short as possible to minimise the risk, but there is a better solution.....

To eliminate this risk entirely these clever fused battery terminal clamps have the fuse built into the clamp itself, meaning there is a direct, solid connection to the battery post and no unprotected cable to worry about.  If you're looking for maximum protection for your electrical system we highly recommend these.

Fuses are available in ratings from 50A - 300A.

Find out more: Fused battery terminal clamps

These rugged LED hand lamps we've recently added to our range are essential bits of kit for those dark winter evenings spent working on your vehicle or boat. Both models have inspection lamp and torch functions and are fitted with powerful ultra-bright LEDs. They also have magnets and folding hooks built into the bodies to provide numerous mounting options to direct the light exactly where you need it.

For additional lighting flexibility the larger model also has a pivoting head, whereas the smaller telescopic model is more compact and ideal for storage in a tool or glove box.

Both lamps come complete with 240V AC mains and 12V DC in-car chargers. Re-charge time is around 6-7 hrs with an operating time of around 5-6 hrs.

Find out more: LED hand lamps

We often take our batteries for granted, assuming they are performing well without really knowing what's going on inside them. Given our reliance on them wouldn't it be good to be able to monitor their condition and ensure that they are not going to let us down?

The Victron BMV 700 and 702 battery monitors do just this by acting as a fuel gauge for your battery or battery bank and providing a range of information including voltage, current, power, Ah consumed, charge level (%), 'time to go', and total KWh charged/discharged. They are simple to install and setup and contain a host of useful features such as alarms, relay output, auto re-calibration and auto detection of system voltage. In addition to these features, the BMV-702 model has the ability to monitor the voltage of a 2nd battery (typically the starter battery).

Find out more: Victron battery monitors

Our range of LED lighting has expanded again this month with the introduction of these 12V rectangular interior/courtesy lights from LED Autolamps. The surface mounted, low profile design is a perfect replacement for existing incandescent lighting, consuming far less energy yet providing a 120º spread of light equivalent in brightness to that of a 10W bulb.

These lights are 148mm long, 71mm high and only 19.5mm deep. Available with black, grey or white surrounds they will suit a range of applications from work vans though to motorhomes and boats.

Find out more: 12V rectangular LED interior lights

We've added a couple of new connector assortment kit boxes to our range this month to get your garage or workshop stocked up for the Autumn and Winter. The brass bullet and connector kit is ideal for those of you carrying out a major wiring project as part of a classic car restoration, whilst the Mate N Lok connector and terminal kit will appeal to anyone needing a good selection of high quality, multi-way connectors for general auto or marine use.

Priced at just £46.99 for the brass bullet kit and £49.99 for the Mate N Lok kit, both come in a tough compartmentalised storage case and are great value.

Find out more: Brass bullet and connector kit | Mate N Lok connector kit

If you want to charge more than one battery you can connect them in parallel to charge them from a single charger output, however the batteries should be of the same type, size and age to make sure that they receive equal charge. They should also be discharged as a combined bank to make sure they don't 'age' at different rates which could cause a permanent charging imbalance.

Another option is to use a multi-output charger which allows you to use different batteries, to keep them separated if required and also to discharge them independently without any adverse effects. With this in mind we've extended our existing range of Victron Blue Power multi-stage battery chargers by adding a 30A version with 3 separate outputs. This allows easy connection of multiple batteries for simultaneous charging using Victron's well-proven adaptive charging technology. Designed for professional use, these high-end chargers are extremely well designed and built and will provide many years of reliable service.

Find out more: Victron 30A 3-Output Blue Power Charger

Suggestion - Why not complement your DC charging system by adding 240V AC capability with a Victron high efficiency pure sine wave Inverter?

OceanFlex cable is a high quality, UK-manufactured, marine grade tinned copper cable for use in harsh environments and we're pleased now to be able to offer versions with a white insulating sheath, making it ideal for those marine installation where the cable is visible. Available with 1.5mm² (21A) conductors, these 2 and 3 core cables can be supplied by the metre, or on 30m or 100m reels.

Vehicle entry illumination can save you from a nasty accident in the dark and if you're going to fit some lighting it might as well look good in addition to being functional. Our new range of step lights from LED Autolamps ticks both these boxes, very effectively lighting steps and entrance-ways with a minimalist contemporary design in a range of colours. At only 65mm wide by 30mm high, these miniature lamps are very discrete and throw a beam of light outwards and downwards thanks to the hooded-housing design. Priced at £11.99 each, they're suitable for external or internal use and are multi-voltage so can be used with 12 or 24V systems.

Earlier this year we added a range of LED work and flood lamps to our catalogue and have recently increased this range with the addition of two new slimline, low-cost lights. Available in square or round designs, these lamps are only 38mm deep making them perfect for front-mounting applications such as on bumpers, grilles or light bars. They can be mounted using either the supplied bolt and adjustable bracket or fixed directly to a vertical flat surface via the 4 threaded holes on the rear of the housing.

Both lights are multi-voltage so are suitable for 12V or 24V systems, use ultra-bright 3W LEDs and have outputs of 800 lumens (square design) and 1000 lumens (round design). Waterproof to IP68, with an alloy housing and stainless steel hardware and tough polycarbonate lenses, these lamps are fully protected from the elements and built to last.  Both are priced at £29.99 (Inc. VAT).

LED Autolamps have recently introduced these lights following high demand for the standard versions and customer feedback requesting a built-in switch. The switch is fitted in the centre of the lens and is sealed to prevent dirt and moisture entering the housing which is a nice feature not found on many lights on the market. They operate on 12V and are available in 300mm long or 600mm long versions with a clear lens and white end caps (separate chrome end caps are available).

LEDs draw far less current, provides equivalent lighting performance, don't emit any significant heat, are resistant to impact and vibration and have a typical lifetime of 10,000 hours - no wonder so many people are changing to LED lighting.

If you have a campervan, motorhome, caravan, boat or other vehicle that has a deep-cycle auxiliary or leisure battery (or batteries) installed then you will want to be able to re-charge it from mains power when available. Many standard starter battery chargers won't achieve full re-charging of a leisure battery because the charging has to take place in controlled stages, so this is where dedicated multi-stage or 'smart' chargers need to be used.

We already stock a range of entry-level chargers from UK manufacturer Rovert Electrical and have now added a range of professional quality chargers from Dutch power management specialists Victron Energy. All of these chargers feature controlled multi-stage charging with a range of features and will maintain your battery in optimum condition; maximising its serviceable lifetime.

Find out more here.

LATEST UPDATE - In the next couple of weeks we'll also have available a range of professional quality Victron 12V power inverters (12V DC to 230V AC) in 180W, 350W, 800W & 1200W outputs. Keep an eye on our New Products section for more info.

Solar power is a free, environmentally-friendly and extremely useful additional battery charging source for any leisure or marine electrical system. Photovoltaic (PV) solar panels provide charge in all weather conditions and when sized correctly for your battery capacity and anticipated usage can provide enough charging output to allow you to travel indefinitely without needing to connect to site or shore mains power. Fitting a small solar panel can also help maintain your battery condition whilst your vehicle is in storage, increasing battery life and eliminating the need for periodic charging.

Our range of high quality solar panel kits from Victron Energy contain everything you need for a straightforward DIY installation to your caravan, motorhome, campervan or boat.

We have kits from 50W to 140W with both single and twin output charge controllers depending on whether you need to charge 1 or 2 batteries. 

Find out more here.

We've been expecting these to be with us for a while now but they're finally here and were definitely worth the wait. Our new range of 12V/24V USB 2.0 power sockets provide high power charging for your ipad, smart phone, tablet or other mobile device whilst on the move. Featuring a 2.1A high current output these will charge your device at the same speed as your mains wall charger at home. Their smart looking, impact-resistant nylon construction ensures they'll withstand a few knocks and the rubber covers protect the sockets from dirt and moisture.

Three models are available:

• Twin high power USB 2.0 ports with rectangular face plate (optional fitment)
• Twin high power USB 2.0 ports + 20A cigar socket, with rectangular faceplate (optional fitment)
• Twin high power USB 2.0 ports with surface mounted housing

All models come complete with fixings and polarity-marked terminals, making installation hassle-free.

Find out more here.