Broken CT wiring to 4x4

Lachie.

A very strange occurrence you are describing.
The Anderson connector is retained in its mate by the spring tension of the conductor and the 7 pin plug is locked in by the lid of the socket.
In my opinion, there is no way that either would vibrate loose, especially at the same time. Even if the cable was somehow caught up in something and pulled, the chances are that the cable would pull out of the plug, leaving it still locked into the socket, at least for the round seven pin connection.

Now, I once discovered the trailer cable laying on the road when I stopped and the plug had disappeared, having been worn away by abrasion. I had obviously forgotten to connect it on this occasion.
I now carry a spare plug, "just in case" I stuff up again.

Are you doubly sure you double checked the connection before you left???

The seven pin flat plug and socket is secured in a similar way to the round plug/socket so changing this will not improve things at all.
As far as the Anderson connectors are concerned, there is no better anti-vibration solution around.

You could perhaps change over to an industrial cannon plug/socket which has a screw type retaining ring, but this is not a cost effective solution if the connection is either ripped out after being caught on something, or not connected in the first place.

The cost of a plastic 7 pin plug, either flat or round, is around the $10 mark and generally is the best, most cost effective solution. Simply carry a spare plug and retain the backing off the package that shows what coloured wire is connected to the appropriate numbered pin.


Bill.

You say: "Up to this point we had only been driving on the bitumen. I had double checked the electrical fittings before we left"

have you concidered that some rsole may have unplugged the two connections ??

Maîneÿ . . .

Just back today from 7000km with our 2003 KK in Central Aust. We purchased it last year.
On the Oodnadatta - Dalhousie very ordinary gravel road I found my Anderson plug missing and wires from CT Battrery dangling on the ground anfd I had to cut the wires back 200mm due to shorting. Mine too has the thick blue pressure hose shroud.
I suspected mine was stone damage, but it may have been due to the Anderson cable being a bit shorter than ideal.
My main trailer wiring was far too short and I fitted 300mm of extra unprotected cable, between the KK supplied fitting and the vehicle, no problems. Prior to that on tighter cornering or reversing I found the main wiring connection would come out.
Looking at the stone damage to my CT A Frame before the stone guard, the shroud protection is a very good idea, but perhaps you may want to spend a little money making a short flexible bridge.
The mechanic at Uluru joined some new wires and encased them for a short section in a flexible plastic spiral wound shroud at the joint, with the heavy air/hyrdaulic hose either side end of it.
Suppose it depends where you are going to use your CT, on bitumen and sand or on gravel roads?

Hi Lachie

On my last trip to Birdsville I had a plug do the same but it was the original plastic round 7 pin plug supplied with the caravan.

It was changed over to a metal plug at a great roadside "workshop" and has not come loose again.






Regards

Derek from ABR

Might I suggest a light shockcord attached to the cable so that if the plug pulls out it holds the cable up off the ground.
The trick is to use a long light cord tied up high so it puts little pressure on the connection but enough to lift the unplugged cable and keep it off the ground.

Thank you all for your replies .

You can not beat good feed back from people who have been out in the field.

Thanks
Lachie