Anderson Plug wiring
Submitted: Monday, Jun 18, 2007 at 18:52
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Doggy Tease
Yeah i know,,,just been asked about,,,,but not this bit.
How do all of you stop the wiring that comes from the van/trailer from moving around at the connection point?
The way the sparkie has set ours up,,,,,the wire bounces around causing intermittent contact and thereforereally crappy charging to the camper battery.
Any idea's?
meow.
rick
.!MPG:12!
!MPG:13!
!MPG:14!
Reply By: bob & judy - Monday, Jun 18, 2007 at 19:20
Monday, Jun 18, 2007 at 19:20
Silver Soldier It???
AnswerID:
247727
Reply By: Gone Bush (WA) - Monday, Jun 18, 2007 at 19:32
Monday, Jun 18, 2007 at 19:32
Probably would have been better if the whole connection was in line longitudinally with the vehicle, however all I can think of to help is to put a cable tie around it. Inconvenient every night but....
Also check that the pins have been pushed all the way through so that they clip in place over the little piece of spring steel inside and immediately beneath the pin. If the pins don't fully overlap when connected you will experience what is happening now. When connected any flopping around by the cable should have minimal effect.
Sometimes, when soldering the cable into the pin a little dollop of solder leaks thru to the pin and this tiny bit stops the pin from pushing all the way thru and clicking into place. If that has happened the action of connecting the two plugs will push the "loose" pin further away and make things even worse. If this is the case push down on the spring steel and withdraw the pin and file the solder off the pin.
All learned thru experience. I had my first Anderson plug arcing and melting the plastic because I hadn't pushed it thru completely.
AnswerID:
247729
Follow Up By: Gone Bush (WA) - Monday, Jun 18, 2007 at 19:43
Monday, Jun 18, 2007 at 19:43
In your first photo the pin on the RHS looks like it is not all the way thru. I can see more of the flat spring steel than on the LHS.
FollowupID:
508544
Follow Up By: Member - Vince B (NSW) - Monday, Jun 18, 2007 at 19:46
Monday, Jun 18, 2007 at 19:46
Agree with Gone Bush. One of the pins appears to be upside down!!!!
FollowupID:
508546
Follow Up By: Gone Bush (WA) - Monday, Jun 18, 2007 at 20:22
Monday, Jun 18, 2007 at 20:22
You're right Vince. The LH pin looks upside down and the RH pin looks as tho it is not all the way thru.
FollowupID:
508559
Follow Up By: Member - Mike DID - Monday, Jun 18, 2007 at 23:42
Monday, Jun 18, 2007 at 23:42
"Sometimes, when soldering the cable into the pin a little dollop of solder leaks thru to the pin and this tiny bit stops the pin from pushing all the way thru and clicking into place. If that has happened the action of connecting the two plugs will push the "loose" pin further away and make things even worse. If this is the case push down on the spring steel and withdraw the pin and file the solder off the pin. "
Anderson connectors only maintain low contact resistance and avoid overheating and corrosion because they are silver plated.
If solder has been allowed to flow onto the contact surface the connector is permanently ruined. Go back to the sparky and get him to replace it or get a refund "not fit for purpose"
FollowupID:
508607
Reply By: Derek from Affordable Batteries & Radiators - Monday, Jun 18, 2007 at 21:34
Monday, Jun 18, 2007 at 21:34
Yes, that Anderson plug is faulty. (Pins are out of alignment)
Replace the plug and pins. Do the same on the trailer.
Also make sure the trailer wiring is still soft and flexible.
Regards
Derek.
AnswerID:
247768
Reply By: Doggy Tease - Monday, Jun 18, 2007 at 21:37
Monday, Jun 18, 2007 at 21:37
Thanks all,,,,will get new plug and pins.
meow.
rick.
AnswerID:
247770
Reply By: Wizard1 - Tuesday, Jun 19, 2007 at 08:09
Tuesday, Jun 19, 2007 at 08:09
I would also get someone else other than the village idiot to fit it too.
Seems a lot of auto electricians claim to know how to fit Anderson plugs then fail.
Had one fitted by one of the biggest and most reputable auto electricians in
Darwin.
Couldn't help pocking my head in the workshop to see the apprentice he had put on the job trying to earth the plug to the towbar! Despite me telling them I wanted directly from the battery.
When you get it re-done don't get them to secure the plug, leave it loose then secure it yourself. That way you get the way you want it when hooked up to the van or trailer.
Ours is screwed to the top of the trailer plug bracket and has been for over 5 years without a single problem.
AnswerID:
247816
Follow Up By: ChrisO - Tuesday, Jun 19, 2007 at 22:08
Tuesday, Jun 19, 2007 at 22:08
Wiz,
excuse my ignorance on this one, but why is it better for the Anderson plug earth to be run back to the battery rather than to the car chasis ?
FollowupID:
508812
Follow Up By: Mainey (WA) - Wednesday, Jun 20, 2007 at 00:52
Wednesday, Jun 20, 2007 at 00:52
Chris,
because that creates the 'dedicated' electrical circuit, with-out any voltage drop to dodgy chasis bolts etc and eventually back to the battery via a path of 'least resistance' which never is ☺
As to getting it fixed.........
yes, it requires fixing, take it back to the 'person' who installed it and tell him to do the job correctly.
Why should you pay someone else to fix his stuffup, the wiring should be in a straight line, facing front to back to maintain good electrical contact.
Would like to see the name of the 'village idiot' so he is not "recomended" again.
FollowupID:
508838
Follow Up By: Aandy(WA) - Thursday, Jun 21, 2007 at 10:12
Thursday, Jun 21, 2007 at 10:12
Certainly shouldn't be mounted under the bracket - that's very vulnerable to damage steep exits and could lead to breakage, shorts and maybe worse. Keep it higher than the towbar at least.
FollowupID:
509053