Convertion of twin plugs to single 13pin plug on caravan

[Heethers]

Asked at my dealer in September when the van was due for it's first service, (an 08 AceFirestar) if it was possible to convert the twin plugs to a single 13pin plug, the answer l got was not at the moment but if their was an increase call for it to be done they may consider offering it to customers.

The reason is the new car l bought came with the 13pin plug and now have to use the adaptors, l would have thought their was a market to do this mod after all it's a pain attaching the adaptors and making sure it doesn't drag on the road when towing.

Is their anyone out their offering this service that won't invoke the warranty, of course the cost would have to be at price worth doing.

I have seen the article in PC magazine on how someone converted their van, but l am sure it would invoke the warranty on van that has 2 more years left to run.

Anyone had this done by their dealer, can't be that difficult.

NigelH

 

[Sproket]

Nigel

This was discussed here earlier last month

The link is here

Sproket.

 

[Sproket]

Or you could use Towing Black 13 pin Plug prewired c/w 3m cable

 

[trucker]

NGH, what you could do is use the adaptor and conect under the front frame cover, secure with grip ties around the frame and thread the single cable of the 13 pin through where you pulled back the 2x 7 pin. It will be tidy and you wont have to keep on attaching the adaptor!!

Kevin

 

[Heethers]

Sprocket/Trucker thanks for your replies.

Trucker will look to doing the cable tie method for the present.

Sprocket thanks for the link to parts, l could quite easy do the conversion my self with the help of an electrician friend of mine but it's the warranty that bothers me, dealers, manufacturers and the like seem to hide behind that any modification done other than themselves causes problems with the manufacturers warranty, hence asking the dealer could they do the job.

The dealers response was until more request for conversion was ask for they felt they could not offer to do the job, seems to me they don't want work.

So it means l will have to wait for the warranty to run out before l do it myself which l believe for this would be 3 years, l don't think 6 year water ingress warranty would be invalidated, so it looks like September 2011 before l could go a head.

Once again thanks for your response.

NigelH

 

[HenryS]

Nigel, I have read this thread with interest as I have started to convert my 08 Amara to 13 pin electrics. This was prompted by the article in PC magazine which seems straight forward. My black and grey leads enter the van at the wheel arch and it will be simple to remove the plugs and run them into the front bed locker and connect them to the new 13 core cable using a 12 way connector block. The sandwich box with a snap on lid mounted on the front bulkhead will protect the cable ends. I see that your dealer was not really interested in doing the conversion, but have you asked Swift for their reaction re the warranty, to your proposed change? I had not considered this but I will be having a word with Coachman in the morning.

Henry.

 

[JimC]

Nigel

I have also just bought a new car with 13 pin socket, and like you I approached a caravan service workshop, (two in fact).They were both a bit indifferent about doing the work, one said they hadn't been ask to change one over before. The other said he could give me a number of a mobile company. I am very surprised as since the 13 pin plug is now on all vans since 2008, there would be a demand for a permanent conversion. As you say they don't seem to want the work

Jim

 

[xtrailman]

I suspect joe public would be unwilling to pay for the job.

At a guess i would say a lest 1 hour, maybe 1.5 labour, plus parts.

say

 

[Heethers]

Ray its 30 quid for the conversion plug leads, if l had the Shogun changed to twin sockets that would have been

 

[Sproket]

Maybe they are reluctant, look at the work they are going to loose repairing / replacing the 12n / 12s plugs...?

Once they have fitted a 13pin plug they wont be any call for repair / rework ...?

Just thinking out of the box )

 

[Heethers]

Your probably right sprocket never thought of that.

 

[Jennifer_374461363]

We have converted our Sterling (Swift Group) 2008 van. When we did ours the pre-wired leads were not available from Sergents. If you have a Swift Group van,you can get them now.

As far as I understand, regarding warranty, as long as anything you do is not connected with the warranty issue you are claiming for, then there is no problem.

So I would say, go ahead, convert your van, the 13 pin system is soooo superior.

Hi Henry.....have you finished yours yet? Don't worry about the warranty!!

Jennifer

 

[Heethers]

Jennifer see my other post to Andy5Z as l said didn't no their was such a kit did you do the job DIY or did an authorised dealer by Swift do it, not had any electrical warranty claims for the Ace Firestar just the centre window problem and a few niggles, all done now by the dealer.

NigelH

 

[Jennifer_374461363]

Hi NGH,

My husband did the job himself, electrics are a bit of a hobby for him, so he had no problem with it.