Anderson plug v Britax 12 pin plug
Submitted: Monday, Dec 04, 2006 at 18:13
ThreadID:
40049
Views:
15945
Replies:
12
FollowUps:
3
This Thread has been Archived
fishy
Hi all,
I tried the
forum search and got a "0" result on this one so please be nice.
I went to my auto electrican today to get some 6mm wire, connectors etc to wire my Engel 60 litre fridge into my Nissan Patrol. Also asked about using the same wiring to runto the towbar area to give me power via an Anderson Plug to charge the Fridge battery in the camper trailer that I have ordered. Camper carries 2 Waeco's. Sparkie advised that instead of using the Anderson and trailer plugs separately, I could use a Britax 12 pin connection. 7 small pins for the trailer wiring and the 5 heavier - read 25 amp - pins for the battery charging stuff. He suggested that using 2 pins for + and 2 for - (eg pins 1 & 2 for + and 4 & 5 for -) I effectively have a 50 amp current carrying capacity and thus reduce losses from 4 x 4 to trailer. Also suggested using both cables in the pair for positive and vehicle chassis for negative. Sounds very robust to me and I have heard of the odd failure with Anderson plugs. The Britax fittings are ABS plastic with S/S fittings.
Thoughts please from the electrically minded
Thanks
Fishy
| John T (Lifetime Member)
VKS-737 Mobile 2619
Selcall 2619
"Argue for your limitations and sure enough they're yours" - Richard Bach in "Illusions" Lifetime Member
My Profile My Blog Send Message |
Reply By: Notso - Monday, Dec 04, 2006 at 18:45
Monday, Dec 04, 2006 at 18:45
I know caravanners like myself who use both systems and they both work fine.
I use the Anderson type for over 6 years and have had no problems and know they are good.
AnswerID:
208533
Reply By: Member - Oldplodder (QLD) - Monday, Dec 04, 2006 at 18:50
Monday, Dec 04, 2006 at 18:50
Have been thibking of something similar for my CT.
Sort of decided that I might stick to my 7 pin round so I can still connect to friends trailers and my other trailer. Using an anderson plug for the CT battery.
Use on of the 25 amp connections for the brake control?
But maybe what you suggested might be the way to go?
Maybe keep the 7 pin round as
well for the box trailer and friends caravan?
This is sounding complicated again. Will be interested in others feed back.
AnswerID:
208534
Follow Up By: Pajman Pete (SA) - Monday, Dec 04, 2006 at 21:47
Monday, Dec 04, 2006 at 21:47
Just make up a britax to 7 pin short extension for when you want to tow a different trailer?
Pete
FollowupID:
468575
Reply By: Member - Jon W (QLD) - Monday, Dec 04, 2006 at 18:51
Monday, Dec 04, 2006 at 18:51
Fishy,
I have been disappointed with Anderson plugs. They don't appear to be able to put up with constant plugging and unplugging leading to automatic unplugging on rough roads. I too am looking for an alternative so will be watching with interest any advice you receive.
Regards
Jon W
AnswerID:
208535
Reply By: Alloy c/t - Monday, Dec 04, 2006 at 19:01
Monday, Dec 04, 2006 at 19:01
Do you realy trust your auto electrician ?? 2 wires 2 pins when 1 decent wire 8mm sq at the core ,not the insulation , does the job better ,,, 2x wire carrying 25amp ea is a dumb down practice when both are going to the same area from the same start point , ask yourself why does every man and his dog use 50amp rated anderson plugs to transfer power from the rear of the vehicle to the c/t or what have you, why ?? because it works with minimal failure and the least amount of possible voltage loss/drop.
AnswerID:
208540
Reply By: Peter McG (Member, Melbourne) - Monday, Dec 04, 2006 at 19:17
Monday, Dec 04, 2006 at 19:17
We use the 12 pin plug with our Ultimate. Works fine.
Nice and easy.
Peter
AnswerID:
208548
Follow Up By: Member - Roachie (SA) - Monday, Dec 04, 2006 at 22:08
Monday, Dec 04, 2006 at 22:08
Peter's quite right.....and the added bonus is that the standard 7 pin flat that I have on my box trailer, also fits in to the corresponding 7 pins of the 12 pin plug. However, I acknowledge that this would still be the case if you used Anderson plug for the heavy amperage stuff too. It's just a simpler job....one plug to think about.
FollowupID:
468581
Reply By: Member - Uncle (NSW) - Monday, Dec 04, 2006 at 19:21
Monday, Dec 04, 2006 at 19:21
Hi there Fishy, we are using the 12pin set up only, and have had no problems charging the CT battery which is 100 ah.
AnswerID:
208549
Reply By: Member - Captain (WA) - Monday, Dec 04, 2006 at 19:29
Monday, Dec 04, 2006 at 19:29
Hi Fishy,
I did exactly this with my camper trailer. It ran my 110aH battery in the van just fine and saved the hassle of having two plugs to plug in. Never had it come apart in all the offroading I did. The way to go IMHO.
Cheers
Captain
AnswerID:
208551
Reply By: disco1942 - Monday, Dec 04, 2006 at 20:39
Monday, Dec 04, 2006 at 20:39
I will pump for the 12 pin flat plug also. I have had these on my last four vehicles and three vans. People have inflated ideas of what current a battery in a van or camper will draw 20 minutes after you have hitched up and the temperature compensation in the alternator has reduced its output to a float voltage. Anderson plugs are not necessary. It is much easier to use one plug when hitching up.
The standard is to use pin 8 for the battery charger and pin 9 for the fridge. If you have flat 7 pin plugs on your other trailers they will plug straight into the small pins of the 12 pin socket and the hinged cover still functions as a strain device to stop the plug falling out.
PeterD
AnswerID:
208569
Reply By: Gerhardp1 - Monday, Dec 04, 2006 at 21:20
Monday, Dec 04, 2006 at 21:20
My vote goes to the two plug system.
For no other reason than easier compatibility with different tow vehicles if required.
AnswerID:
208578
Reply By: Member - Duncs - Monday, Dec 04, 2006 at 21:31
Monday, Dec 04, 2006 at 21:31
I use the 12 pin and have done for about 5 years. I am using only 1 pin for + with 6mm wire. The biggest problem I had was getting the wire into the connector. My statndard practice, as instructed by sparkie was to double over the last 10mm of wire and feed that into the connectorbut it wouldn't fit that way so I just put the single wire in.
I keep the trailer battery topped up with one ot those $30 solar panels from Big W when it is sitting in the carport. This reduces the draw on the cable when I first plug it in.
As has been said a trailer witht the standard 7 pin flat will fit and I use those adaptors for the "odd" other trailer I tow.
Duncs
AnswerID:
208580
Reply By: _gmd_pps - Monday, Dec 04, 2006 at 21:34
Monday, Dec 04, 2006 at 21:34
A few arguments:
1. Not a good idea to use anything but the 7 pin connector for a trailer, unless you have both connectors for compatibility. An adapter is not a good idea when you loose it. whenever you want to use another vehicle you have a problem.
2. It is a good idea to combine various lines in one high quality plug. Less cables less plugs, less effort and usually better connections.
3. No good to use multiple pins to increase power specs. messy connection .. use a proper plug eg the Cannon BWI series 200/400 or many others ..
http://www.ittcannon.com/media/pdf/catalogs/full/CO_productoverview.pdf
Best option: have a standard plug available just for compatibility and use a decent plug for ALL you needs including reversing camera etc...
Anderson plugs are dreadful because you have another cable to wory about and they are not waterproof...
good luck
gmd
AnswerID:
208582
Follow Up By: Alloy c/t - Tuesday, Dec 05, 2006 at 18:15
Tuesday, Dec 05, 2006 at 18:15
Andersons not
water proof ? which plug is ? at least the Anderson is self cleaning , would be realy interested to know why in your opinion a 12volt dc plug actually has to be
water proof ,never hear of any problems with the Andersons if and yes its a BIG " if " fitted /crimped correctly.
FollowupID:
468732
Reply By: neptune - Tuesday, Dec 05, 2006 at 09:58
Tuesday, Dec 05, 2006 at 09:58
I have a 7 pin connector and an anderson plug and have never had a problem. I tow three different trailers at times( box,
camp & boat) and also my friend's boat. I have an extension lead with anderson plug fittings on one end and heavy duty lugs on the other so as I can charge my friend's and my boat's batteries depending which boat I'm towing, on the way to fishing spots.
AnswerID:
208671