Permanent 12v wire in 7-pin Britax

Pat

Thanks for that. Top reference site! Couldn't find that before.....

Well, it seems like it must be pin 5 - which is for service (electric) brakes.... which this van doesn't have - it uses a gravity brake. All other pins are taken.

Chhers and thanks again
Chris

Hi Chrispy,

Be VERY careful wiring permanent 12V to pin 5. If you hook your vehicle to another trailer with electric brakes you will supply full voltage and burn out either the van brake magnets or your fuse (or wiring if no fuse!).

Reminds me when my brother borrowed a van that had been wired wrong, whenever he put the indicator on the van brakes locked up. He only got to the first corner before a wiring check was in order! But it does highlight what happens when a vehicle is (incorrectly!) wired for a specific trailer and standard wiring protocols not followed.

Not sure on the legality (or roadworthiness if ever checked), but it would defineltly be a non-standard wiring job to use pin 5. But at the very least, use pin 2 because at least a reverse light is rated for full 12V if you ever did connect up to another trailer (but you would have the reverse lights on permanetly).

You would be better off replacing the van 7 pin plug with a 12 pin plug. This way you can use pins 8, 9 or 12 and as they are a larger pin diameter, they will handle much more current (either 20 or 50 amps from memory, says on plug cover).

Cheers

Captain

Most people use Pin 2 (Reversing lights) including caravan service centers. If pin 2 is already connected in both the van and car, put the car in reverse so the reversing lights come on and see if the interior 12v lights in the van work.

I have not actually ever seen a Caravan with reversing lights and if you read the note on that page "Note:Because of interchangeability problems that may arise, it is recommended that pin 5 in the 7 pin connectors be used only for service brakes."

If you use pin 5 and plug in a van with electric brakes you will destroy said brakes. Whereas if the van does have reversing lights and you've used pin 2 then all that happens is that the reversing lights come on.

Basically if you use pin 5 you limit your vehicle to trailers/vans without electric brakes.

Peter

pjchris

Thanks for that advice :)

What I'm doing with this van is leaving it permanently on our block of land while we build the house and a road to get to it. I'm not doing the mod for the car, but rather a 200A/H battery I'll mount in a battery box to plug into the van while we're down there. I need to mount a Britax female plug on the top or side of the battery box to charge the battery at home, and them plug into the van when I get down to the property once every couple of weeks. In time (when I can afford it :( ) I'll leave the battery there permanently with a 30-watt or so solar panel.

Cheers :)
Chris

Agreed David - I'll be using a set of Anderson plugs for our offroad trailer's battery. The caravan will just use the Britax for simplicity, as it's a permanent fixture on our property now.

Cheers :)
Chris

Chris,

Buy a 12 pin Narva or Britax plug and use one of the appropriate larger pins. They are rated for 30 A where the normal pins are only rated for 20 A.
I assume you are running the 3-way caravan fridge on gas, otherwise I'd say use the 12 pin plug or an Anderson plugged appropriately wired to minimise voltage drop to the fridge.

Hey there Rosscoe :)

Yup - the caravan runs on an old gas fridge - that works an absolute treat. It's wonderfully cold - after you wait for a few hours and keep the door shut ;)

Thanks for the info on the 12-pin. I'll use one of the larger pins.

Cheers
Chris

Managed to buy some Anderson plugs today for $22.00 a pair (both sides) or $40.00 for 2 pair (4 plugs) incl postage.

Noted Collyn - and thanks :)

I bought this van, on old 1965 model from Franklin (great nick too!!) and the guy that had it before me only has 7 pins on his car - therefore it must have used one of those.... somewhat logical I guess.

He didn't mention using the reversing light pin, but if I feed that one 12v to find out I suppose I won't damage anything. Failing that, I'll need to trace everything back from the interior lights to the plug at the front and see what is connected to what.

Cheers
Chris