Converting caravan 2 x 7 core to 13 core.

[paulhammond]

I wish to take away the twin 7 pin plugs and instal a 13 core cable in the van. My car has 13 pin socket as standard. The whole assembly will be better than using conversion connectors. How would you connect the existing caravan wires to the new 13 core cable. Choc blocks would need insulating, scotch lock are a no no for me, inline splices not sure. A mini consumer cabinet would be nice, secured to the floor, any ideas would be appreciated.

 

[RogerL]

Use a 13-pin plug that allows entry of both the black 12N cable and the grey 12S cable - so you just change the plug - no need to change the cables.
The pin allocations are equivalent - but not the same!

 

[woodsieboy]

I agree with Roger L.I did mine the other way round,i.e convert car from twin socket to 13 pin and used a socket that accepted both of the cables, if you prefer to join the twin cables to one 13 core cable you could solder the joins and heat shrink over each one individually.

 

[colin-yorkshire]

using a double entry 13pin plug is by far the simplest way
however when i did mine the cables were different lengths as they came out either side of the A frame and clipping the cables together made them very stiff, so I used 12core wire from the plug and reconnected it at the source using the correct colour code for 13 pin.

 

[Ancientcaravanner]

You don't say your caravan make - but if it is a Swift Sargents supply a replacement cable that plugs straight into the fuse box. You have to clear the cable hole through the floor to fit it and reseal it after testing.

 

[John_miller]

When I did my Bailey, I took the twin cables into the caravan through the floor under the front drawer unit. I used 2 choc-block strips to join the cables and just created a small box with some wooden strips screwed to the floor, covered by a thin plywood top. Drawer unit went back on top to hide the cables. I got the plug & cable from Sargents as they sell the cable with the correct colours and sizes (a mixture of 1.5 & 2.5mm) I also made up a diagram of the various wire colours but can't work out how to post it on here!

John M

 

[colin-yorkshire]

When I did my Bailey, I took the twin cables into the caravan through the floor under the front drawer unit. I used 2 choc-block strips to join the cables and just created a small box with some wooden strips screwed to the floor, covered by a thin plywood top. Drawer unit went back on top to hide the cables. I got the plug & cable from Sargents as they sell the cable with the correct colours and sizes (a mixture of 1.5 & 2.5mm) I also made up a diagram of the various wire colours but can't work out how to post it on here!

John M

here John http://uk-trailer-parts.co.uk/wiring-a-13-pin-euro-plug

 

[RayS]

When I converted my previous Burstner, i used choc block but slid a length of plastc pipe, domestic sink waste siize onto the cables before cpnnecting, then slid it up to cover the joints. Sealed the ends and then strapped the whole affair into the chassis channel section under the drawbar farinf with big cable ties.
This enables you to revert to 7 pin should you ever want to, and avoids getting at the cables inside the van, sometimes not too easy.

No troubles whatsoever for next 6 years when van changed

 

[paulhammond]

Thank you all, i have many options to choose from.