I have recently had my twin electrics on my car changed to a single 13 pin socket to match the caravan. The only problem is that it now seems to be blowing fuses in the car. The circuits affected are the indicators and the emergency flashers. The strange thing is I can connect the car to the van and every thing is fine. But once disconnected, when I return to the car I find the fuses blown. When I replace the fuses everything is fine with the car until I reconnect the caravan. Now of course I will have the guy back that did the work but I was wondering if anyone had any ideas?
I'm guessing there is a short in the the new socket, just a single strand of wire will be enough. Have the twin cables been fed(bodged)into the new socket or were they replaced with 13 core cable? I suggest you get fitter to check his wiring.
I'm guessing there is a short in the the new socket, just a single strand of wire will be enough. Have the twin cables been fed(bodged)into the new socket or were they replaced with 13 core cable? I suggest you get fitter to check his wiring.
From what I saw the original cables were both taken through the rear of the new socket, it was not a complete rewire. Had I done it myself I reckon I would have also done it that way!
If the two 7 core cables have been forced into the back of the 13 pin plug then there is a good chance the cable has been damaged. There is also an increased risk of moisture getting into the socket as the cable gland (if they managed to fit it) will not be sealing around the cables properly, leaving the socket partially open to the elements.
If the job was done professionally then take it back and demand they fix it.
Theres no reason why the 2 cables connected to 13pin socket should not work ok, it just requires more care to do the job & there is a greater possibility of water getting into socket as well as a short if wired carelessly.
Quote: Originally posted by Tentz on 04/3/2012
Theres no reason why the 2 cables connected to 13pin socket should not work ok, it just requires more care to do the job & there is a greater possibility of water getting into socket as well as a short if wired carelessly.
In theory I would agree with this, but in practice the rubber boot behind the socket should be a tight fit around the cable. In order to get a second cable into the socket, I suspect the boot would have to be discarded or butchered. Either way, there is little or no protection from water ingress or from chaffing of the insulation.
Even if it were possible to get the two cables through the boot which strikes me as being highly improbable, the boot will not be a snug fit around the cable and would be vulnerable to water and insect ingress.
My Pennine Quartz 6 has a 13 pin socket but my previous car had only a 7 pin socket. The trailer was connected to the car via a 13 to 7 pin adaptor and the lights and indicators worked fine.
I have now changed to a new car with a 13 pin socket as standard and one of the indicators on the trailer does not work. I have checked the bulb by swapping it over to the other indicator and it works fine.
I don't think the problem is with the car because I have another trailer, fitted with 7 pin electrics and it is ok.