Tucked into the towing hitch of a used Polar we recently bought is a 3 pin female plug on a substantial looking cable. Any ideas as to what this might be (its not the mains input connector btw)
3 pin connector
- Thread starter Dave63508
- Start date
Hi Dave
Can you post a pic of the plug or more detailed description?
Assuming you are certain it is not 230v electricity I'd suggest it is a safety feature of a motor mover that you have or was fitted in the past but has bee removed.
Can you post a pic of the plug or more detailed description?
Assuming you are certain it is not 230v electricity I'd suggest it is a safety feature of a motor mover that you have or was fitted in the past but has bee removed.
It is originally from Sweden.
Having trouble posting a picture. Can I post direct in topic or do I need to post a link to image?
Having trouble posting a picture. Can I post direct in topic or do I need to post a link to image?
Looks like some kind of DIY bodge up to me. it is mains 15amp socket fitted into the outer casing of a 12s plug. What you need to do is check the colours of the cores used, and to what they are connected to within the caravan
Hello Dave,
I have watched this thread, as I find such things interesting, but I am surprised and concerned it has not been resolved by now. I'm sorry but I have to be a little blunt:
I have to make an observation here. Both the description we first received and the later photograph show the cable and plug are not regular or recognised in the UK.
You have asked if anyone can identify what the connector is for. Clearly you think this is beyond your experience to investigate by yourself.
Having been qualified in both Gas and Electrics on caravans, I have never seen anything like it before and frankly unless I could investigate in person, I would not be happy to make any suggestion as to its use.
Things like this are far safer to be 'hands on' investigated, because whilst this might be resolve,d who knows what else may be non standard, and thus possibly pose a safety risk to you or your family.
I have to advise its time to get the caravan formally inspected by a local caravan engineer, who can follow through and correct all the problems.
I have watched this thread, as I find such things interesting, but I am surprised and concerned it has not been resolved by now. I'm sorry but I have to be a little blunt:
I have to make an observation here. Both the description we first received and the later photograph show the cable and plug are not regular or recognised in the UK.
You have asked if anyone can identify what the connector is for. Clearly you think this is beyond your experience to investigate by yourself.
Having been qualified in both Gas and Electrics on caravans, I have never seen anything like it before and frankly unless I could investigate in person, I would not be happy to make any suggestion as to its use.
Things like this are far safer to be 'hands on' investigated, because whilst this might be resolve,d who knows what else may be non standard, and thus possibly pose a safety risk to you or your family.
I have to advise its time to get the caravan formally inspected by a local caravan engineer, who can follow through and correct all the problems.
As an aside what is the score with electric brakes?
I have ATC which is electrically operated.. So why do we still have over run brakes?
I have ATC which is electrically operated.. So why do we still have over run brakes?
Dustydog said:
Hello Dusty,
Apparently the constructions and use regulations outlaw anything but overrun brakes on EU caravans.
ProfJohnL said:
hi Prof, without seeming to be too flippant why is the answer to every unusual difficult question get the pro's in and pay :woohoo: there are lots of professionals on hand but not one has a clue what it is so why would the local van man be any different.
sometimes I wonder on a forum supplied by PRACTICAL CARAVAN where the spirit of adventure and enquiry is, where the wickersley insight and fix it for free has no place. come on.
personally I would love to get my hands on it!! very entreguing has I have a couple of ideas that may shed some light, no magic wand just a bit of insight. although more information from the OP would have been help full for instance is this an extra plug from the usual black and grey ones ie a third one and are the other plugs normal 12n and 12s type however from observations I have concluded that,
1. it looks OLD so it has been there a while.
2. it does not look like it has not been used for sometime so cannot be essential to the workings of the van.
3. the design of the attachment is such that it looks like it is car orientated like the grey plug and has two keyways to prevent wrong orientation, also the type of pin configuration does not match any mains coupling for anywhere in the world (I have checked) so must be low voltage,
4. it is a socket not a plug so it gives power to something as opposed to accepting it, "like the ends of the EHU cable do".
5. the size of the cable (diameter) suggests that if it is 3 core it carries high amps.
without knowing where the other end of the cable goes everything else is guesswork although if one had to have a stab at it one could suggest it may indeed be some form primative electric brakes or ATC before the advent of 13pin it could even be a prototype of some kind, now that WOULD have local van man scratching his head!!!!.
colin-yorkshire said:
Hello Colin,
I'm not trying to curtail the spirit of adventure, but in this case, the problem seems to be outside of our experience, thus any advice about what the cable and plug could be for is pure speculation on our part. As I have said on other threads we simply do not have the necessary information to be able to offer any informed advice.
Dave hasn't been able to identify its purpose even with the helpful comments already made, so it suggest the OP is not conversant with electrics, and thus is probably unable to confirm the safety or otherwise of the systems in the caravan. For this reason alone it would be wise to use a professional.
But the other advantage of using a local pro, is they can physically look and prod to find out what its all about, in ways that are virtually impossible for us to do over the WWW.
If the cable is the result of someones miss informed tinkering, then it begs the question what other none standard work has been carried out in the caravan.
We are quite likely dealing with an electrical system, and if it is none standard, then the risks of the system need to be properly assessed and if necessary made safe.
Your observations are interesting, and whilst the visually descriptions are fair, its pure assumption as to function and the circuits to which its connected.
As you know there are certain aspects of caravanning that are subject to regulation, and for reasons of compliance with the law, it is necessary to employ a professional. There are also some aspects of caravanning that may not be directly regulated, but because of the nature of function or material, it is not advisable for DIYers to attempt to carry out work as they will not have the necessary full knowledge or equipment to ensure the safety of the work they do, so again the sensible thing is to use a professional.
We must not loose sight of the fact that not all caravanners have the same universal skills, so when offering advice it may at times seem over bearing to those who do possess the knowledge or skills. We have to consider the lowest common denominator, and uphold best practice for safety.
Yes John I know all that, and of course there are jobs on a van that even the best of us DIY'ers would not attempt lightly if at all, but the vast majority are so simple a monkey could do it, to coin a phrase.
one of the biggest problems is lack of information we find this time and again on questions asked on the forum.
that does not mean the questioner has no idea, most of the time it is just a matter of no knowing how to phrase the question .or what is required in the way of supplimentary information.
assuming the lowest denominator of course is the easy option but this goes for all walks of life even professionals, usually accompanied by a sharp intake of breath and the usual ""that looks expensive"" :evil: .
also of course it is difficult to offer a solution from a remote position but that does not mean we should not try.
in this case handing over a big wad of cash to local van man to investigate when a simple following the wire back to the source with a torch to see where it goes first seems too simple to put into words but there you go. or is that me being too pragmatic.
when the time comes that the only answers offered on the forum are take it to a professional for any technical questions will be the time to stop using the forum.
one of the biggest problems is lack of information we find this time and again on questions asked on the forum.
that does not mean the questioner has no idea, most of the time it is just a matter of no knowing how to phrase the question .or what is required in the way of supplimentary information.
assuming the lowest denominator of course is the easy option but this goes for all walks of life even professionals, usually accompanied by a sharp intake of breath and the usual ""that looks expensive"" :evil: .
also of course it is difficult to offer a solution from a remote position but that does not mean we should not try.
in this case handing over a big wad of cash to local van man to investigate when a simple following the wire back to the source with a torch to see where it goes first seems too simple to put into words but there you go. or is that me being too pragmatic.
when the time comes that the only answers offered on the forum are take it to a professional for any technical questions will be the time to stop using the forum.
IMO......the connector is for the transfer of 12 volt power from the towing vehicle to the caravan to supplement the caravan leisure battery when staying off grid.
I looks like a DIY job by someone who does not know about Anderson connectors!
Colin has come to much the same conclusion.
I looks like a DIY job by someone who does not know about Anderson connectors!
Colin has come to much the same conclusion.
And until recently, electric brakes as a PRIMARY method of braking was outlawed throughout the EU, including UK, on trailers under 3500kg MAW - that has now changed to permit US-style electric brakes BUT they must still be opererated by the over-run hitch - so none of the US-style brake controllers fitted in the car.ProfJohnL said:
Thank you all for your comments and input.
If I can clarify my question a little:
I can normally figure things out for myself one way or another.
From experience I know that vehicular electrics are a mine field and best left to those who have the knowlegde.
I posted the question as a complete novice, hoping that someone might say, Yea its a ............... and save a few bob along the way.
If its beyond the field of experience of board members, fair enough, I'll not try to fix that which isnt broken. :blink:
i'll come back with the solution if anyone is still curious
If I can clarify my question a little:
I can normally figure things out for myself one way or another.
From experience I know that vehicular electrics are a mine field and best left to those who have the knowlegde.
I posted the question as a complete novice, hoping that someone might say, Yea its a ............... and save a few bob along the way.
If its beyond the field of experience of board members, fair enough, I'll not try to fix that which isnt broken. :blink:
i'll come back with the solution if anyone is still curious
I'm sorry Colin but I cannot agree with your criticism of my approach in this instance.
I do agree that many jobs can be relatively simply resolved, and that's fair game for the DIYer. Its also fine for forum members to speculate and offer some advice, but it is important the advice is based on sound principles with a good regard for safety and where necessary the law.
The problem in this case (and this is not a criticism of Dave or his abilities) is it was agreed by all posters the arrangement described and the supporting picture was not recognised by any of the contributors. Now that was several of the most prolific and generally well informed members, so that raises the probability the arrangement is not standard and could contravene any of the accepted norms and safety. Being able to spot such issues is potentially critical so hands on and experience is the key to understanding the arrangement and correcting it.
The length of time without positive identification of the cable AND the contradictory suppositions about its function was getting Dave nowhere. Therefore the most appropriate route to a resolution is to have an 'expert' to actually investigate the cable and its connections.
I do agree that many jobs can be relatively simply resolved, and that's fair game for the DIYer. Its also fine for forum members to speculate and offer some advice, but it is important the advice is based on sound principles with a good regard for safety and where necessary the law.
The problem in this case (and this is not a criticism of Dave or his abilities) is it was agreed by all posters the arrangement described and the supporting picture was not recognised by any of the contributors. Now that was several of the most prolific and generally well informed members, so that raises the probability the arrangement is not standard and could contravene any of the accepted norms and safety. Being able to spot such issues is potentially critical so hands on and experience is the key to understanding the arrangement and correcting it.
The length of time without positive identification of the cable AND the contradictory suppositions about its function was getting Dave nowhere. Therefore the most appropriate route to a resolution is to have an 'expert' to actually investigate the cable and its connections.
Dave63508 said:
Yes please Dave
I'd love to know what it is.
Are the brakes on your Polar the over run type with rods and cables?
All I can tell you about the brakes is that a monster spring is held under compression by a silly little plint attatched to the catastrophy wire. Took me a day and a half to figure out how to reset this after pulling the splint to see if it worked
Newbie remember
Newbie remember
hi all,
in many cases and question I find myself in complete agreement with the Prof, but on this occasion I must differ on some key points, it is not so much as what we don't know therefore it must be dangerous or somehow unsafe and a botch job, only to be cured by a wad of cash handed over to someone who is prepared to actually investigate the connection when in fact 20mins with a torch and volt meter would probably answer the question,
over to you Dave.
secondly while there is always going to be guesswork involved with the scant information available certain aspects are clear, at one time the connection did serve a purpose (or it would not have been fitted) the plug on the end of the cable is a socket not a plug so whatever it connected to took it's power from the van,
although the connection may be of some obsolete type it was professionally made, (its not something one could knock up in the shed) and as it is of no known configuration there is no chance of wrongly connecting anything to it.
the OP (Dave) has indicated that all the other van attributes are working normally so it is of no great importance regards to the safe use of the van has a whole.
while we do not know wether the socket is live or not at some point when the van is set up (240v and 12v power on) a meter would establish this, but the likely hood of this is I feel remote, more likely is it was disconnected years ago but the owner did not remove the cable and socket end.
one could of course prove this by tracing the wire back inside the van (10min job) something the OP has not done.
whatever it's use once was I for one would be interested as it came from a land where they inflate 4x4 tyres with a lighter and a can of easystart. (or is that Iceland). :lol: :lol: :lol:
incedentally after scouring the memory I do remember having once seen an arrangement similar to this although not in a van, it was fitted to a Volvo car I once owned a nice spare mains plug clipped to the inner wing, this was connected to a water heater element in the bottom radiator hose, this allowed you to plug the heater into the mains and keep the water temp up for cold morning starts.
just may-be it is a connector from the mains to stop the water freezing in the container but then this is just speculation on my part.
in many cases and question I find myself in complete agreement with the Prof, but on this occasion I must differ on some key points, it is not so much as what we don't know therefore it must be dangerous or somehow unsafe and a botch job, only to be cured by a wad of cash handed over to someone who is prepared to actually investigate the connection when in fact 20mins with a torch and volt meter would probably answer the question,
over to you Dave.
secondly while there is always going to be guesswork involved with the scant information available certain aspects are clear, at one time the connection did serve a purpose (or it would not have been fitted) the plug on the end of the cable is a socket not a plug so whatever it connected to took it's power from the van,
although the connection may be of some obsolete type it was professionally made, (its not something one could knock up in the shed) and as it is of no known configuration there is no chance of wrongly connecting anything to it.
the OP (Dave) has indicated that all the other van attributes are working normally so it is of no great importance regards to the safe use of the van has a whole.
while we do not know wether the socket is live or not at some point when the van is set up (240v and 12v power on) a meter would establish this, but the likely hood of this is I feel remote, more likely is it was disconnected years ago but the owner did not remove the cable and socket end.
one could of course prove this by tracing the wire back inside the van (10min job) something the OP has not done.
whatever it's use once was I for one would be interested as it came from a land where they inflate 4x4 tyres with a lighter and a can of easystart. (or is that Iceland). :lol: :lol: :lol:
incedentally after scouring the memory I do remember having once seen an arrangement similar to this although not in a van, it was fitted to a Volvo car I once owned a nice spare mains plug clipped to the inner wing, this was connected to a water heater element in the bottom radiator hose, this allowed you to plug the heater into the mains and keep the water temp up for cold morning starts.
just may-be it is a connector from the mains to stop the water freezing in the container but then this is just speculation on my part.
I wonder if its part of an extension lead
Extension cord 16A/230V, REVE 3G1, 5 25M. with luminous coupler sockets, indicating that splice laden is connected properly. Created by cable for the Nordic climate. Formulated with regard to flexibility and flexibility in cold temperatures. Made with heavy-duty electrical socket that can withstand. Self-closing lid. Approved for outdoor use. Black.
As the Polar caravan is from Sweden and from looking at the mains box is has a jordfelsbrytare sticker on it...
But i could be wrong....
Extension cord 16A/230V, REVE 3G1, 5 25M. with luminous coupler sockets, indicating that splice laden is connected properly. Created by cable for the Nordic climate. Formulated with regard to flexibility and flexibility in cold temperatures. Made with heavy-duty electrical socket that can withstand. Self-closing lid. Approved for outdoor use. Black.
As the Polar caravan is from Sweden and from looking at the mains box is has a jordfelsbrytare sticker on it...
But i could be wrong....
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