Help Needed with Auto Electrician for large 7 pin Socket in Flemington

I definitely agree, high current items like your fridge will burn out anything less capable than an anderson plug. One other benefit is they are cheaper than replacement trailer plugs.

frank

Hi Sandman,
Running the caravan fridge of the vehicles 12 volt system is the only way to go - you haven't got yours running off the caravan's battery have you?

Hi there Dennis,

I thought about your reply and yes, in the normal configuration for caravans, you are quite right, so I see the need to qualify my statement.

Firstly, I don't have a caravan but a camper trailer.
Secondly, the camper is fitted with an upright compressor fridge, rather than those confounded three way jobbies that are only workable in the southern areas of our continent.

So, yes. For a caravan fitted with a three way fridge, the correct way is to use the vehicle's supply to run the fridge in 12v mode while travelling, but using separate heavy duty twin core cable terminating in Anderson connectors.

Once upon a time I have a campervan fitted with a 3 way fridge.
I found it to be all but useless for practical purposes.

Now, having experienced both my 40 litre Engel portable compressor fridge and the Waeco 65 litre upright compressor fridge in the camper, I wouldn't consider anything else.

As more excursions are usually off the beaten track, I do not hook up the 240v power and the gas bottle is reserved for the cooker.

Recently met a guy who’s caravan battery would flatten after 3 hours on the road.
It was a new van and the fridge was incorrectly wired - a 3 way fridge suck a lot out of a battery.

I use a 3 way, a Waeco, and an Engel - They all have thier good and bad points.

Hi Dennis,
Thanks for your comments. Yes I have a 3 way fridge and have just bought the Narva aluminium large 7 pin socket and have replaced the burnt one on the vehicle and the cable fit well into the socket fitting. I feel more confortable now. Many thanks...

Andrew, thanks again for your help....Hopefully when I pick up the Caravan tomorrow all will be fine and I should be on my way...Cheers...Con

Hi Con
I am knocking Anderson plugs and I use them too for other purposes.
Sometimes a multi pin plug overheats because of a loose screw or bad connection at the back of the pin.
One of the good things about an Anderson plug is that you can crimp this and make a very solid connection.