13 pin wiring

[nickburt]

I have just been trying to decypher the 13 pin wiring conventions.

Having looked on several websites, I now have a set of 6 different colour codes !!! Some very different and some very similar, although different enough to cause a problem). There doesn't seem to be a EU standard for the clolours.

The pin numbers are standard for all of them, but, while this is fine and I have sufficient electrical knowledge to sort the colouring out, it seems to me that many people could get into trouble if trying to follow a colour code convention.

Has anyone else come across this problem and is there a EU standard that I just haven't found yet ?

Or is it just me ??

 

[rob_jax]

Hi Nick,

The 13 pin socket / plug is a true international standard - ISO 11446

Pins 1 to 7 share the same colour and pin numbers as the 12N standard.

Pins 8 to 13 according to the ISO 11446 standard: Pink, Orange, Grey, White-Black, White-Blue (this is not specified in the ISO spec - normally not connected - free for a future use), and White-Red.

But many web-sites show the wire colours from a 12S socket - with the idea that you were going to upgrade from a 12N+S to the 13 pin ISO connector.

The benefits of the 13 pin ISo connector are:

Positive bayonet lock

Water proof

Corrosion proof

Proven ability to supply 25 Amp current on every connector

Car fog light cut off by water proof micro-switch mounted inside the connector (Optional - and extra wires run from the switch back into the car)

Robert

 

[nickburt]

Thanks for that - looks like some of the websites and "specialist" towing / wiring advisors need to get their act together.

One set of colours I found listed are as you describe, but the other 5 would be very misleading to anyone trying to do a conversion from N & S to 13 pin. Some of those websites claim to be "experts".

I can see the advantages of the 13 pin, especially the poistive locking / waterproof aspect. But until it becomes a universal fitting I won't be changing, as it'll mean changing everything I tow, or splashing out on an adaptor lead, which negates many of the advantages of having a 13 pin in the first place. If I only towed my caravan and nothing else I would change.

I just wonder, how many caravan and car manufacturers really stick to the ISO. More importantly, how many after market towbar fitters do.

 

[rob_jax]

Nick,

In Europe there are three major types of connector fitted:

13 pin ISO - now the fitment of choice for most car companies - originally designed by Erich Jaeger in the late 1980's as a quality replacement.

Largest take up in Germany followed by Holland and Scandinavia, then Belgium and France - see note below

12N only - The single socket is used to a very large extent in Belgium and France for trailer towing - you always see trailers on Belgian roads - or the 13 pin if towing a caravan.

12N+S - The twin socket system - has the highest take up in the UK

There are other connectors, including 12C, DIAB and multicon - but either quality issues or weather-proofing issues make them undesirable.

The figures came from my copy of "The Netherlands Caravan Handbook" (in Dutch of course).

Robert

 

[Rod_5041370]

If your caravan has a 13 pin plug, then I would change your tow vehicle to 13 pin socket. Assuming that all your other trailers just use 7 pin "N" plugs, a converter (not a cable), 13 pin to 7 pin is available quite cheaply.

This is the method that I use, Hobby = 13 pin, box trailer = 7 pin.

 

[Rod_5041370]

If your caravan has a 13 pin plug, then I would change your tow vehicle to 13 pin socket. Assuming that all your other trailers just use 7 pin "N" plugs, a converter (not a cable), 13 pin to 7 pin is available quite cheaply.

This is the method that I use, Hobby = 13 pin, box trailer = 7 pin.

See Towsure Item P11,

 

[greenplum_5088396]

If you pull a variety of trailers why not have both plugs on ??? (I do) after all you only use one at a time, Then no need for converters.

 

[Rod_5041370]

Are you suggesting that we fit 3 sockets to the car, 13 pin, 12N & 12 S or have I mis-understood your post?

 

[chris_5068897]

My car is fitted with a 13 pin socket, and the corresponding 13 pin plug has two leads from it ending in an in-line type of 12n and 12s sockets, which accept the usual caravan 12n and 12s plugs. Thus you can connect any sort of trailer plug by using or omitting the adaptor which is readily avaialble

 

[greenplum_5088396]

Are you suggesting that we fit 3 sockets to the car, 13 pin, 12N & 12 S or have I mis-understood your post?

Not at all ... 1x 13 pin for all caravan needs and 1x7 pin for trailer (road lights)