no the housings of the larger 30 and 50amp connectors are stainless, not the 12v cig lighters.
go with what works for you.
I prefer the Marinco.

df

________________________________
From: Mike S <mikes@flatsurface.com>
To: dylan <insyncro@YAHOO.COM>
Cc: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Sent: Sun, October 18, 2009 7:16:46 PM
Subject: Re: Dash Power outlet..?

At 06:27 PM 10/18/2009, dylan wrote...
> Cool, I have tried the others and Marinco have held up much better and much longer when exposed to the elements. If you are looking to save bucks and use them inside the van, they should work.

What makes you think the MPD ones from Digikey are different than the Marinco ones? Marinco doesn't claim their's are stainless (and I doubt they are, stainless doesn't make a good electrical contact), only "corrosion resistant materials."

The MPD ones are nickle plated brass, which is a "corrosion resistant material."

They sure look identical, and it's a pretty unique design. Both have the locking feature. The same holds for the plugs sold by both. I suspect they come from the same Chinese source.

http://www.12v-parts.com/AS-212A.jpg
compared to
http://www.marinco.com/files/img_main/products/12VRC-CMYK-99.jpg

and

http://www.12v-parts.com/AutoPlugs-.www2.jpg
(the AP-121 plug)
compared to
http://www.marinco.com/files/img_main/products/12VPG-CMYK-99.jpg