My car has a factory fitted 13 pin socket, but our folding camper has 12N & 12S sockets. I've read a few scare stories online about melted earth leads when using a 12S plug with a car with a 13 pin socket using an adapter. What would be the right way forward? My first thought is to just remove the 12N/12S plugs and fit a replacement 13 pin plug, or would there be a better way to do this? I'm not hugely keen on having to rewire the entire camper.
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Thank you for your reply, dad1uk! My concern is that my car's socket is mounted transversely behind the tow-bar hitch, right close to the bumper, exactly the same as the one in this picture and this picture. I'm not sure if the wide adapter would foul on the bumper when it rotates around while being inserted in the socket. That said, I guess something like this would work.
To be honest, my preference would be to rewire the 12N/12S plug with a 13 pin plug but not sure that would work, considering that I have to stuff two thick cables through one grommet. I do have to rewire the 12N plug either way, as the previous owner seems to have completely messed this up. But I'm hoping someone will talk me out of this!
You can buy 13pin plugs that allow for two cable entries to accommodate the 12N/12S cables, personally I would avoid that and go for a rewire at the camper end, and take a length of 13 core cable terminated with a 13pin plug.
You will find 8 of the 13 cores will be 1.5mm2 and the remaining 5 will be 2.5mm2, I am sure there will be some youtube tutorials to help you along, just a case of connecting the right wire to the correct pin, how hard can it be.
I would imagine the cost of having the work done professionally, would be in the region of £300, most of that for labour.
Best way to do it is replace twin cables with single 12 core cable & 13 pin plug. I done that on my previous old caravan. Neat job. New cable up through floor & connect to cut off 7 core cables inside caravan using connector strip. Whole diy job cost £15.
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Topic: 13pin car socket with 12N/12S plug
via mobile 08/7/2021 at 8:21pm
