13 pin sockets

[rmason00]

hi
just a quick question for advice on connecting the electrics with the 13 pin sockets from van to car having just returned to caravanning after a 8 year break 13 pin electrics was just starting to be fitted to caravans now I have the 13 pin onmy new van Bailey Unicorn Seville 2 and I constantly struggle to get the electrics to fit to my adapter cable. Am I missing something is there a trick to getting them to align or just me being ham fisted I have already cocked up 1 socket by trying to force them together and want to avoid any further problems and utterings of oaths and curses. Please help I am in the process of having the 13 pin fitted instead ot the 2 7 pin sockets to my car in the hope it will make things easier.

 

[WoodlandsCamper]

I have 13 pin on both car and van, but also have a small garden trailer with 7 pin connector (via an adaptor). The 13 pin connector requires a 90 degree twist while inserting, as does the adaptor. When using the trailer I insert and twist the adaptor first on its own (after lining up the keyway) onto the car, then plug in the 7 pin trailer connector as a straight push. It is more fiddly trying to fit the adaptor into the 13 pin car connector when it is already connected to the trailer.

 

[Raywood]

I have the 13 pin on the caravan and twin sockets on the car, The dealer connected up the car and caravan with an adaptor when we bought the caravan and I have simply left it on the caravan under a hitch cover. Saves any problems hitching although I do realise there is a theft risk but live with that.

 

[SirRogerFFS]

If you have already had a go at plugging in and they now wont line up it may just be a simple case of turning the inner body of the plug so the pins will line up.Im not sure of your van but on ours we have the resting place for the 13 pin plug on the hitch cover where I Can realign the plug on it .
Sir Roger

 

[chrisn7]

The 13 pin / plug have a matching slot/key to ensure correct alignment, so visually check this first as you offer up the plug to the socket. Try to keep the plug square on too. New parts can be a little stiff at first, so should ease after a few tries. Please note the socket does NOT turn 90 degrees - there is an outer sleeve with a disc moulded into it that makes this 90 degree rotation-the pins have to remain in a fixed position of course.

 

[Woodentop]

To clarify on that, you open the cap on the socket and insert the plug with the moulded disc at the 9 o'clock position assuming the cap hinge to be at 12 o'clock. Then turn the collar (i.e. the part of the plug with the moulded disc on it) 90 deg clockwise until the disc is under the cap and holding it open.

If you want to make life easier spray some GT85 into the track on the outside of the plug collar - or better still put a bit of silicone grease in it if you have any. It will free up the mating enormously.

GT85 because, like WD40, it frees things but it leaves a deposit of Teflon behind which provides permanent lubrication.

 

[Merlin53]

Just read the post, all good advice, but it's important when you come to disengage the 13 pin socket from the car that you complete the turn anti clockwise until you hear the 'click'. That ensures that the socket has disengaged. Most problems occur because the socket hasn't been rotated far enough to disengage and has been removed before completing the turn. Then it will not realign when you attempt to plug it back into the car the next time you come to use it.

 

[rmason00]

All thanks very much for the hints and tips and advice to get the sockets to engage, all will have to wait untill I get a new 13 pin socket on my motor and have the new plug replaced on my van then it will be full steam ahead and ready for the next outing. hopefully all will be in place by a week on Friday when I have an engineer coming out to sort the problem.

Many thanks for all replies.

Bob

 

[PaulT]

The previous owner of the caravan should have left a socket in the 'van which aligns the plug. iIt would have been supplied with the 'van when it was new.

 

[bertieboy1]

Looking at the end of the caravan plug the key should be at 3 o'clock when the moulded disc of the plug is at 12 o'clock.You can buy a cap for the caravan plug that ensures correct alignment of plug pins to the key in the plug.

 

[David_5127637]

Here is an EBay link to the alignment tool / cover you need. Solves the problem.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Trailer-Caravan-13-8-pin-Euro-Plug-alignment-Green-plastic-replacement-cover-/261269610633?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item3cd4e1e089

 

[David_5127637]

Sorry - system will not allow the link.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Trailer-Caravan-13-8-pin-Euro-Plug-alignment-Green-plastic-replacement-cover-/261269610633?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item3cd4e1e089

 

[chrisn7]

Looking at the end of the caravan plug the key should be at 3 o'clock when the moulded disc of the plug is at 12 o'clock.You can buy a cap for the caravan plug that ensures correct alignment of plug pins to the key in the plug.

I don't think you can rely on this, as the sockets are mounted with 3 bolts to a mounting plate. Sometimes there are multiple sets of holes to help with alignment; sometimes the mounting plate is fitted upside down for clearance, so that socket has to be rotated to fit the nearest available holes....

 

[Sproket]

All thanks very much for the hints and tips and advice to get the sockets to engage, all will have to wait untill I get a new 13 pin socket on my motor and have the new plug replaced on my van then it will be full steam ahead and ready for the next outing. hopefully all will be in place by a week on Friday when I have an engineer coming out to sort the problem.

Many thanks for all replies.

Bob

Bob

Have a read of this link it explains all about the 13pin plug and socket

 

[bertieboy1]

Irrespective of whether the socket is upsidedown/at nine o'clock or whatever the key on the plug must be at 3 o'clock with respect to the moulded disc on the plug for the pins to be corrctly aligned with the pin sockets on the car

 

[rmason00]

Again many thanks for the advice have now got my 13 pin socket on my motor now just been to pay the bill and saw one of those green socket things so bought it just got to wait to have my 13 pin plug replaced then all should be good to go. Can't thank you guys enough for all the info and advice good to know I was not on my own.

 

[rmason00]

morning All
An update on my origional question and can confirm that all is well in the Mason household I have had the 2 - 7 pin sockets changed to 1 - 13 pin socket had the 13 pin plug renewed, managed to get hold of 2 of the green socket things so I leave one in the van and the other in my car and all has been well and good no problems hitching up if the plug and socket are in the least bit awkward I just use the green socket and everything goes according to plan.
So a very big thank you to all who replied and advised me all info was invaluable. Many thanks, the chief of domestic staff is now happy and does not have to wear ear plugs.

Bob