converting towing electrics from two 7 pin plugs to one 13pin...

[Kerry_5040847]

can anyone tell what is involved in doing this convertion please

on a 2005 bailey Pegeant bordeaux

 

[rob_jax]

Hi Kerry,

Basically all you need is a selection of screwdrivers, possibly a set of wire-strippers (depending if you can re-use the original connections), and an ISO 11446 13 pin plug.

The plug (usually made by Menber, part number 00511200) is supplied with instructions - or there are full colour wiring codes on places like www.eriba-amiga.co.uk

The only issue you may have is how you handle the two cables from the 12N+S because these need to become one cable. Some people replace the wire back to the junction box under the caravan, some people just strip off 30 cm of outer insulation and "professionally" wrap with self amalgamating tape, or use heat shrink tubing...

Robert

 

[Stephen_374341239]

hi there

I think there is 13 pin plug and socket now on the market that will take the two cables (N&S) for people that wish to upgrade. I have seen them on E Bay.

Steve

 

[RayS]

Another way is to make up an extension lead with 12S and N sockets at one end and a 13 pin plug at the other. You can get 13 core cable fairly easily. Make the lead about 1.5 m long, such that the sockets come just under the front of the va. Plug up with the existing plugs and use self amalgamating tape to protect the joints. Then neatly coil the excess cable and support under the front of the van with cable ties in suitable fittings. Run the 13 cable along the draybar and cable tie in place.

Now you have the ability to have the van towed by a vehicle having 12 S and N sockets simply by cutting the cable ties and releasing the old cable. you can move your extension from one van to another until all new vans have 13pin as standard. Finally you can make up the extension lead in your garage or workshop in better working conditions than at the front of the caravan - hence much less likely to make a mistake, as you will need some measure of concentration to make sure of the pin numbers - some diagrams are drawn with you facing the plug and hence you have to mentally transpose when working on the rear.

 

[tigger2]

all we have done is buy an adaptor from Towsure.

dawn

 

[spj]

Hi all,

I converted my 2007 caravans 12n and 12s sockets to a 13 pin plug about 8 months ago, I used a new plug on the new caravans wiring, I sealed the back of the plug with silicone where the two cables entered. I have done a proper conversion on my inlaws older caravan with 13 core wiring and a water proof junction box in the gas locker but I did not want to cut the wiring back on mine due to the caravans warranty, I regulary give the plug and socket a squirt of penetrating oil to avoid corrosion.

Today I removed the 13 pin plug to put the caravan back to standard as our new caravan is to be delivered at the weekend, the plug was badly corroded and the screws were nearly all siezed in, I believe it is due to water entering around the cable entry as it is only designed for one cable, Stephen mentions a plug with a double cable inlet, this would be an excellent idea but I can not find it on Ebay, I have also Googled 13 pin electrics and still not found one, has anyone else seen one or know where I can get one?

I dont want to use an adaptor as they double the contacts and still use the inferior 7 pin plugs which seem to melt the fridge supply pin on the 12s, our van has a 150L fridge freezer which draws a bit more power than a smaller unit.

The only other way is to tie up the excess wiring and fit a junction box with 13 core wire to a plug leaving the two 7 core wires the original length.

spj.

 

[annierich]

We have been considering changing our caravan to a 13pin but in the mean time bought a 2x7 to 13 converter lead from Halfords.

The 13pin sockets have twin grey/black leads that enter through a "twin entry grommet" so one would think these must be available to buy seperately. We are now considering using this 13pin socket and wiring the caravans existing grey and black cables directly into it avoiding having to use the converter which often doesn't work all the lights/indicators without WD40 etc.

Annie (Dicated by HWMBO)

 

[Stephen_374341239]

Hi there

These adaptor plugs & sockets use twin entry cable so thay got to be outthere some where? TOWSURE

 

[Stephen_374341239]

Hi Again

Checked the Towsure Cat 2008 page 213 Convertors yes both plug and socket have two 7 core cables going in the back of them so there is a company out there making them? this would save people so much time and trouble and make some company lot of money.

 

[spj]

Hi Stephen,

The only way I can see to do this conversion is to buy the converter lead and discard the 7 pin plugs and wire, pretty obvious really but I never realised the twin entry plug was on the converter leads, it is then an expensive plug but it seems the only way to buy it. This would then do away with the inferior 7 pin plugs.

spj.

 

[vernon]

I got my 13 pin euro plug from here http://www.westerntowing.co.uk/acatalog/Plugs_cables_connectors.html, price