[abrahamx]

its on the transom of my tartan 30 Did not look to see if its wired to anything

 

[svHyLyte]

Looks like the remains of a very old style Perko power plug:

Is there still any wiring to it?

 

[tempest]

It looks more like a mechanical fitting to me? A connection point for a wind vane?

Does that fitting move when you turn your rudder?

 

[abrahamx]

does not move although the po did mention once about having a self steer thingy but never mentioned it again and did not give me one.

 

[tempest]

Can you access the interior section of the transom ?

 

[abrahamx]

Yep, just have not looked yet.

 

[abrahamx]

what are perko power plugs used for?

 

[Alex W]

It was likely power for the autopilot that you no longer have. It could have been for anything though.

 

[Rhapsody-NS27]

Been a while since I looked, but looks similar to a connection that I have that goes to a wall type phone plug, that I plan on removing.

 

[abrahamx]

slightly different angle

 

[Faster]

Looks to me more like something you might turn with a screwdriver rather than an electrical plug/connector.. . I think you need to get a look at the back of it.

 

[capta]

It looks to me to be a high amp, 12 volt power point. It has 2 notches in the socket (probably different sizes to orient polarity) and threads around the socket to screw in the male plug. Have you checked to see if it has power to it? As suggested, if it's near the helm, it was most likely the power connection for a wheel pilot, so look for a breaker on your panel.
I've never seen one exactly like that, but it might be nice to replace it with a new one to power a cockpit light or computer converter, etc.

 

[sulli]

It looks like a bayonet socket or bulb socket to me. But that wire clamp nearby suggests a power plug.

 

[socal c25]

It looks like the Perko plug with the inside (pins socket) gone. Just the contacts are there.

 

[abrahamx]

pic of the back. Not the best shot.

 

[knuterikt]

its on the transom of my tartan 30 Did not look to see if its wired to anything

It is a old type 12 volt power socket.
They normally came with a screw on lid and a plug with two contacts at the bottom.
The plug can only be inserted on way because the plug has got an alignment pin at the side matching a groove inside the socket.

I replaced a similar socket from 1978 this summer..

 

[RichH]

Definitely is a power plug ... those spade connections on the inside view are the 'giveaway'.

If the PO had a wind vane, he may have used a small electro-mechanical tiller-pilot to help control and 'assist' the wind vane in very 'light' wind conditions.

 

[knuterikt]

This is a matching plug

 

[MikeGuyver]

Yup, it's a recycle bin filler.

 

[rugosa]

pic of the back. Not the best shot.

comes with free mold