I have a 2008 Bailey Senator with 7pin plugs my car is fitted with a13pin socket i am considering converting the van to 13pin plug. Has anyone done this?If so how easy/difficult was it? are there any pitfalls to this?
You may already be using an adaptor Beetee and prefer the neat and better solution of replacing the fittings. The 7N/S sockets are generally temperamental, so although the adaptor is an easy solution, you've still got the major flaw of these connectors being in use.
Conversion is straightforward to do providing you've armed yourself with all the info in advance; pin out detail of 7pin connectors and new requirement etc. Make sure you've the time to complete the work carefully without interuption (it's easy to make a mistake).
Bear in mind too that you'll presumably put the two existing cables into the new 13pin fitting, which means you can get (if viewed in cross-section) a figure '8' where the cables sit side-by-side and enter the gland on the plug; this could lead to moisture ingress. There are some plugs designed specifically for this retrofit and have a suitable gland to seal the cables, or you could seal with self-amalgamating tape perhaps.
I have seen varying qualities of the 13pin plug too. I'd get a decent one.
Brian there is a similar adaptor from 13 to double7 . I usedone when Ibought my car as it had a13 pin socket and my van had two 7 pin leads ,Ithink I got from caravanshop online
Follow the two cables back to inside van and screw a connector block to the floor and then use new 13 pin plug and a length of new core cable.Measure length of old cable so as to allow enough for when hitched.All connections will then be dry inside van.
I had my c'van's twin sockets changed to 13pin a few years back. I had hoped to follow birdman101's solution above of joining in a new piece of 13 core cable inside the c'van but as ATC had been retrofitted prior to the plug change that was not easily done. In the end the engineer managed to connect the 2x7 pin cables into a 13pin plug.
This arrangement has worked fine for several years now and seems cheap and easy to do although a bit fiddly.
Thanks for all the comments and suggestions my intention was to find where the black and grey cables terminate inside the van and fit a new lenght of 13 core cable. However now that i have read Tims comment i am a wee bit concerned as mine has ATC.
G7AUC Paul thanks for this if the O/H gives me a couple of hours peace i might just manage this but peace now theres a thought!!!!
Just for an example, here's a suitable 13 pin plug designed for two cable entry that would be suitable for the job: Example plug fitting.
A variation on Birdmans suggestion if you wanted only a single cable, would be to terminate the existing twin cables to a new length of cable and fit within a waterproof junction box screwed to the underside of the van, a short way behind the 'A' frame. This is the way we converted my in-laws van last year, partly because it allows easy replacement of cable if they damage it during tow (which they have been prone to do).
Quote: Originally posted by G7ACU on 19/10/2012
A variation on Birdmans suggestion if you wanted only a single cable, would be to terminate the existing twin cables to a new length of cable and fit within a waterproof junction box screwed to the underside of the van, a short way behind the 'A' frame. This is the way we converted my in-laws van last year, partly because it allows easy replacement of cable if they damage it during tow (which they have been prone to do).
I would agree with this, sounds like the best, and easyest of solutions, and means it will be easy to connect the 2x 7pin if needed eg if you sell up, or if you let a close relative use and they only have 7 pins.
Quote: Originally posted by G7ACU on 19/10/2012Just for an example, here's a suitable 13 pin plug designed for two cable entry that would be suitable for the job:Example plug fitting.
A variation on Birdmans suggestion if you wanted only a single cable, would be to terminate the existing twin cables to a new length of cable and fit within a waterproof junction box screwed to the underside of the van, a short way behind the 'A' frame. This is the way we converted my in-laws van last year, partly because it allows easy replacement of cable if they damage it during tow (which they have been prone to do).
He's got It in one. I took the option of chopping the twin cables beneath the van and adding a waterproof connection box. This left me needing only around two metres of 13 core cable onto the new plug. Had one of my cables not already had a nick in the insulation I would certainly have used a twin entry plug as above. Simplest and by far the cheapest solution to the problem