As previously discussed, this is entirely possible, but not ideal.
A proper conversion with the correct cable is infinitely superior.
A proper conversion with the correct cable is infinitely superior.
Rewire van for a single connection
Page 2 - Passionate about caravans & motorhome? Join our community to share that passion with a global audience!
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
Jennifer tankyou for your view but what could better than using the original twin leads, untouched at the caravan end and replacing the always rubbish original 7 pin plugs with the far superior 13 pin plug from your conversion lead?
In my experience I have yet to find a 13 core cable with the correct core size for fridge ground as per that in the original grey cable which I retain! Even the one in my converter that I threw away after robbing 13pin plug from it reduced the fridge ground core! Your advice is well intended and probably ok for those who do not know what they are doing with electrics but for the many competent DIY'ers and professional mechanics (like myself)I assure you that my method is as safe as any "correct cable" you might buy and in conjunction with the ferrules I used, probably more electrically sound to boot!
If you can wire a 3 pin household plug you could carry out my conversion.
Andy P
In my experience I have yet to find a 13 core cable with the correct core size for fridge ground as per that in the original grey cable which I retain! Even the one in my converter that I threw away after robbing 13pin plug from it reduced the fridge ground core! Your advice is well intended and probably ok for those who do not know what they are doing with electrics but for the many competent DIY'ers and professional mechanics (like myself)I assure you that my method is as safe as any "correct cable" you might buy and in conjunction with the ferrules I used, probably more electrically sound to boot!
If you can wire a 3 pin household plug you could carry out my conversion.
Andy P
Jennifer I accept that a kit from swift should be as good - it wasn't available when I did mine in '07. However I would be interested to see the quality of the wiring inside the 13pin plug as I have seen some horrors in my time. These kits are invariably made to a cost by a supplier! Andy 5ZJennifer tankyou for your view but what could better than using the original twin leads, untouched at the caravan end and replacing the always rubbish original 7 pin plugs with the far superior 13 pin plug from your conversion lead?
In my experience I have yet to find a 13 core cable with the correct core size for fridge ground as per that in the original grey cable which I retain! Even the one in my converter that I threw away after robbing 13pin plug from it reduced the fridge ground core! Your advice is well intended and probably ok for those who do not know what they are doing with electrics but for the many competent DIY'ers and professional mechanics (like myself)I assure you that my method is as safe as any "correct cable" you might buy and in conjunction with the ferrules I used, probably more electrically sound to boot!
If you can wire a 3 pin household plug you could carry out my conversion.
Andy P
Andy5Z sounds perfect, didn't know Swift did a conversion kit, dealer never mentioned that when l ask the question to them.
Andy/Ash if you pick this one up could you let me have the details and who can do the conversion without invoking the warranty.
Andy5Z if l have to do this my self after the warranty runs out in 2011, will use your method unless Swift can assure me it won't cause problems with the warranty if a appointed caravan specialist by them does the job.
NigelH
Andy/Ash if you pick this one up could you let me have the details and who can do the conversion without invoking the warranty.
Andy5Z if l have to do this my self after the warranty runs out in 2011, will use your method unless Swift can assure me it won't cause problems with the warranty if a appointed caravan specialist by them does the job.
NigelH
No not done it yet , but this seems the way to go !Hi did you do this yet? If not consider this, with an adaptor lead you basically have a grey and black lead going into a 13 pin plug.
So all I did was remove the 13 pin plug from the adaptor lead, remove the grey and black plugs from the caravan leads and fitted the 13pin plug straight onto the caravan leads!
Voila! No new parts required and whole thing only took an hour. Do remember to note lead positions in 13 pin plug whilst removing it from 13 pin lead. Prior to fitting 13 pin plug I fitted a length of heat shrink over the 2 caravan leads to make it into 1 lead(ish)! If you dont have access to heat shrink/gun then insulating tape will do just as well!
Hope this helps
Andy P
By ending up with both cables heat shrunk together is it not very stiff and difficult to route ?
Cheers
Andy
NGH I have only heard about this Swift lead from Jennifers post. If you used my method - converting from an adaptor lead - I really cant see a manufacturer arguing over a warranty claim that has nothing to do with car connections/road lights etc. Andy5ZAndy5Z sounds perfect, didn't know Swift did a conversion kit, dealer never mentioned that when l ask the question to them.
Andy/Ash if you pick this one up could you let me have the details and who can do the conversion without invoking the warranty.
Andy5Z if l have to do this my self after the warranty runs out in 2011, will use your method unless Swift can assure me it won't cause problems with the warranty if a appointed caravan specialist by them does the job.
NigelH
We purchased the correct 13 core cable with the 5 heavy cores direct from Sargents at the suggestion of Swift. At that time they were the only suppliers, this was in March 2008.
Now they can supply prewired kits, which makes it even easier.
Take a look at their web site.
Now they can supply prewired kits, which makes it even easier.
Take a look at their web site.
And the reason I think replacing the cable is better is as discussed above....fitting the 2 cables into the socket is not necessarily easy. Having already done one van that way, my husband found it much easier using the 13 core cable.
And if you use the correct end the cores are arranged in the correct order for easy wiring.
I would also say it is worth getting a good quality plug, the inexpensive one we had on the Emerald for less than a year was already starting to corrode when removed.
As far as I understand, the plug is designed to break if you try to drive away while still connected, sure I read that somewhere fairly recently, so the wire is not damaged.
I would agree that you do need a certain level of competence if you are going to start cutting and reconnecting wires, but it is pretty straightforward if you have the right parts .
And if you use the correct end the cores are arranged in the correct order for easy wiring.
I would also say it is worth getting a good quality plug, the inexpensive one we had on the Emerald for less than a year was already starting to corrode when removed.
As far as I understand, the plug is designed to break if you try to drive away while still connected, sure I read that somewhere fairly recently, so the wire is not damaged.
I would agree that you do need a certain level of competence if you are going to start cutting and reconnecting wires, but it is pretty straightforward if you have the right parts .
The kit for Swift Group vans I referred to is not from Swift, but from Sergents, who supply Swift with quite a bit of the stuff fitted in their vans.
Probably why dealers do not know about them.
Probably why dealers do not know about them.
Sargents can be contacted on : 01482 881 655
Sorry I havent got the web address, I did brose it 1 time and didnt find it too user friendly so I phoned them. Very helpfull
Kevin
Sorry I havent got the web address, I did brose it 1 time and didnt find it too user friendly so I phoned them. Very helpfull
Kevin
We want to change our connection on our car to one 13 pin socket to fit a 13 pin plug.
Can you tell us an approx. price to get it done in spain.
Can you tell us an approx. price to get it done in spain.
Practical Caravan is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.
© Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.
Facebook
Twitter