Trailer Plugs

Hi,
I have to replace my trailer plug.

Just wondering if the plugs that have the self testing led display are worth it and what brands people recommended.

Thanks in advance,

RIchard

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Reply By: Member - Rosco from way back - Sunday, Jan 05, 2014 at 14:52

Sunday, Jan 05, 2014 at 14:52
G'day Richard

I had a 7 pin flat on a previous vehicle with the led display. Was it worth it? ... probably. At the end of the day, 9/10 problems with trailer wiring relates to a dodgy earth.
It's only a couple of extra $, so why not give one a go. As for brands, I'm currently running an OEM jobby, but reckon you can't go past Hella or any other good name brand. Certainly steer clear of no-name cheap crap ones. They'll give you no end of grief.
AnswerID: 523929

Reply By: AlbyNSW - Sunday, Jan 05, 2014 at 15:16

Sunday, Jan 05, 2014 at 15:16
I have one of those plugs on my trailer with the test lights and it is rubbish, have just bought a standard Narva one to replace it with.
AnswerID: 523930

Reply By: Member -Pinko (NSW) - Sunday, Jan 05, 2014 at 15:27

Sunday, Jan 05, 2014 at 15:27
http://britaxae.com.au/products-all.php?&multisearch_fd4=5,7,9&search_fd11=*12+pin*&multisearch_fd11=12,13,65,67&multisearch_fd12=11,13,65,67

The original and probably the best
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Reply By: oldtrack123 - Sunday, Jan 05, 2014 at 15:49

Sunday, Jan 05, 2014 at 15:49
HI
Do not be fooled by any LED indicator they can be very misleading
They will glow on very very little current & may not indicate BAD joints /dirty contacts
PeterQ
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Follow Up By: Allan B (Member, SunCoast) - Sunday, Jan 05, 2014 at 18:10

Sunday, Jan 05, 2014 at 18:10
I agree with Peter.
LED indicators are like neon test probes and digital multimeters....... not reliable for determining current sources. They can lead you to false conclusions.
The best test for trailer plugs & sockets is to plug in and observe the trailer lights. In fact it is the only real test!
Cheers
Allan

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Follow Up By: Ross M - Sunday, Jan 05, 2014 at 18:41

Sunday, Jan 05, 2014 at 18:41
The LED indicator plugs only, sort of, check the vehicle if working. Does nothing to check the trailer to which it is wired.

Only credible test is if the lights work on the back and sides.
Cheers
Ross M
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Reply By: richard - Sunday, Jan 05, 2014 at 17:20

Sunday, Jan 05, 2014 at 17:20
thanks to all,

by the way the plug i am after is a 7 pin round. should not make any difference but to complete the picture.

i went and had a look at super cheap but am unsure of their quality.

the only good ones i have heard of are Navra. I am sure there are others.

Richard

AnswerID: 523935

Follow Up By: Shaker - Sunday, Jan 12, 2014 at 09:17

Sunday, Jan 12, 2014 at 09:17
So why didn't you just buy the Narva one, they are only $10.00, hardly a life changing decision!

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Follow Up By: richard - Sunday, Jan 12, 2014 at 09:28

Sunday, Jan 12, 2014 at 09:28
I wanted to see what people thought of the self testing option and I am looking for a local supplier of Navra.

Richard

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Reply By: Sundowner2 - Sunday, Jan 05, 2014 at 22:34

Sunday, Jan 05, 2014 at 22:34
I would suggest to anyone considering replacing a 7 pin flat trailer connection to go instead for the 12 flat plug, there are five extra heavy duty circuits that can be used and the existing 7 pin will still fit that plug.
AnswerID: 523946

Reply By: The Bantam - Monday, Jan 06, 2014 at 00:34

Monday, Jan 06, 2014 at 00:34
Im notat all keen on the flat plugs.....I used quite a few on a project at one time and they are just crappy from go to wow.
The way the plug is constructed, the lay out just everthing about them in my opinion is piss poor.

If you need some sort of supply circuits.....go with a seperate plug like an anderson or such.

The 7 pin round are the way to go.

I'm not over keen on the plastic versions especially the cheap ones, but the good brand plastic plugs are a good idea on boat trailers & the like where corrosion is a bit of an issue.

Britax, may a fair coppy of the old metal bodied Hella plug that hella don't seem to make any more.
Hella make a realy beefy metal bodied small format 7 pin.


As for the LED in the plug thing...just forget it...its just a crappy complication.

I made myself up a test box, which has a small tail and leds for all the functions...AND the pin designation and colour code printed on the side.

OH.
when you terminate whatever plug you decide on...give it a squirt of lanolin spray, before you put the plug together.

#1 enemy of the trailer plug is corrosion.

cheers
AnswerID: 523949

Follow Up By: Member -Pinko (NSW) - Monday, Jan 06, 2014 at 08:35

Monday, Jan 06, 2014 at 08:35
Lanolin collects dust?
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Follow Up By: The Bantam - Monday, Jan 06, 2014 at 10:05

Monday, Jan 06, 2014 at 10:05
ALL oil collects dust.

That is no biggie inside the connector housing, and neither is it a problem in the mating connectors.

The round Hella style connectors have a scraping /wipeing action.


I'm not talking about straight lanolin Im talking about something like lanox.

cheers
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Reply By: Slow one - Monday, Jan 06, 2014 at 08:58

Monday, Jan 06, 2014 at 08:58
Richard,
I use a Britax 7 pin flat plug. I have had all the plugs and found the flat to be very reliable and easy to access. In fact I had enough room to put 4 resistors in the plug, to stop my van led lights from flickering. The vehicle is fitted with a flat 12 pin and I only need a 7 pin on the van as I use an anderson plug for heavy loads.

I had Hella 7 pin flat plugs but found the closing locking flap would break off regularly. This hasn't happened with the Britax.

Never used one fitted with led indication lights so can't help with that.
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Follow Up By: Member -Pinko (NSW) - Monday, Jan 06, 2014 at 10:17

Monday, Jan 06, 2014 at 10:17
Same experience here Richard
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Reply By: Sand Man (SA) - Monday, Jan 06, 2014 at 20:07

Monday, Jan 06, 2014 at 20:07
One point to keep in mind.
If you have a vehicle with a reversing sensor, you may need to stick to the 7 or 12 pin flat variety. These alternative sockets incorporate a reed switch which disconnects the reversing sensor circuit when a trailer or van is connected.
When the lid is opened to insert the plug, the reed switch opens the circuit so the audible alarm is not on all the time.

I am not aware of any round socket/plug combination that provides this feature.

Bill


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AnswerID: 523998

Reply By: Sigmund - Saturday, Jan 11, 2014 at 21:17

Saturday, Jan 11, 2014 at 21:17
I like a metal body; the plakky version doesn't stand up well to a rain of stones.
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