Quote: Originally posted by doit on 20/11/2009
arc systems, this is assuming your car & caravan plugs and sockets are in good condition and are not corroded, and your car alternator is in tip top condition. Alot of fridges on 12v cause the sockets to overheat and melt so as you already mentioned while you are making sure your cables are up to scratch, clean and lubricate your plugs and sockets. If you ignore this advice you could end up with damaged plugs/sockets and (even worse lol) warm fridge, warm food and the biggest problem - warm beer!! Is this why the new 13 pin system is seen to be superior - eg better electric supply for your fridge and leisure batery while travelling?
Being thick but what do you lubricate sockets with (wd40?)
>>> Is this why the new 13 pin system is seen to be superior - eg better electric supply for your fridge and leisure batery while travelling? <<<
Looking at a wiring diagram for a 13 pin plug, I do not see any difference between that and the older 12S plug. They bath have one pin each for the fridge supply (+) and one pin each for the Fridge Earth (-).
Why is the 13 pin better?
------------- Lobey.
Discounted Insurance Quotes for UKCampsite.co.uk visitors! Up to 12.5% off!
>>> Is this why the new 13 pin system is seen to be superior - eg better electric supply for your fridge and leisure batery while travelling? <<<
Looking at a wiring diagram for a 13 pin plug, I do not see any difference between that and the older 12S plug. They bath have one pin each for the fridge supply (+) and one pin each for the Fridge Earth (-).
Why is the 13 pin better?
-------------
Lobey.
I think the 13 pin plug/socket arrangement has a more robust connection method (sort of clamps itself together?), so tend not to corrode as much as water cannot get in so easily. Plus (again, i have never tried this new 13 pin thing, but this is what the press lead us to believe hehe), it is very unlikely that the plug would not be pushed all the way in. Basically, less chance of a poor connection which gives you less chance of the pins getting hot which means the plug/socket is less likely to melt. But a well maintained traditional 12n/12s setup (if that is what it is called) works fine. But if your fridge is not cooling very well on 12v it would pay to check/clean/lubricate the connectors whatever type you have and check the cables for damage too.
------------- Why am i doing this instead of camping??!!
Hehe LobeyDosser,
I bet the wire brush is way cheaper than new plugs 'n' sockets, be them traditional or new 13 pin specials. I wonder why they are now not easily available....
------------- Why am i doing this instead of camping??!!
Quote: Originally posted by doit on 24/11/2009
Hehe LobeyDosser, I bet the wire brush is way cheaper than new plugs 'n' sockets, be them traditional or new 13 pin specials. I wonder why they are now not easily available....
You bet!!!
It was only about 4 inches long and it had a tube with wire brush on the inside for cleaning the exterior of the pins and a miniture bottle brush type end for going into the socket pins to clean the inside of them.
A brilliant bit of kit but unfortunately my workshop is 60 foot long by 18 foot wide. I know it is in there somewhere, but where ????????????