caravan power lead to vehicle

Submitted: Wednesday, Jun 29, 2016 at 21:16

ThreadID: 132888 Views:17800 Replies:6 FollowUps:10

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The center pin is live I don't understand why. it obviously comes from the caravan battery but for what purpose

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Reply By: The Hob - Thursday, Jun 30, 2016 at 07:12

Thursday, Jun 30, 2016 at 07:12

I have 12 pins in my socket - what are you calling the centre pin

Alan

AnswerID: 601972

Follow Up By: 10 - Thursday, Jun 30, 2016 at 10:36

Thursday, Jun 30, 2016 at 10:36

circular 7PIN

FollowupID: 871541

Reply By: Gone Bush - Thursday, Jun 30, 2016 at 10:49

Thursday, Jun 30, 2016 at 10:49

10, you really need to provide more information.

Is your van a Bushtracker?

You don't seem to be a BOG Member so we don't know what sort of van you're talking about.

If it's not a BT it will be difficult to help you.

AnswerID: 601976

Follow Up By: 10 - Thursday, Jun 30, 2016 at 17:32

Thursday, Jun 30, 2016 at 17:32

Yes BT owner 19ft 2007

FollowupID: 871568

Follow Up By: Gone Bush - Thursday, Jun 30, 2016 at 17:43

Thursday, Jun 30, 2016 at 17:43

OK, well in that case, I am just as perplexed as you are about a live centre pin.

I've looked at a few diagrams on the 'net for a large round 7 pin plug and they don't indicate that the centre pin should be live from the van batteries.

I have a large round 7 pin plug on my 2009 van but I'm not near it at the moment to check for you.

All I can suggest is that a previous owner, if there was one, could have rewired it to charge something in the tow vehicle.

It beats me.

FollowupID: 871569

Follow Up By: Gone Bush - Thursday, Jun 30, 2016 at 18:56

Thursday, Jun 30, 2016 at 18:56

Here's a link to various wiring diagrams.

Trailer Plug Wiring Diagrams

Scroll down to the Large Round 7 Pin Plug and making the Centre Pin (#7) live doesn't make sense. It is used for rear lamps, clearance and side marker lamps.

However if you scroll to the next one, the Heavy Duty 7 Pin Round then it could make sense.

On that plug (especially if it's an aluminium plug) the Centre Pin (#7) is for Reversing/Auxiliary. So if your 2007 BT doesn't have reversing lights (and it probably doesn't) then it could have been wired to provide power to something in the vehicle.

Maybe it is providing power to your Brake Controller. Does your brake controller show any lights or any other indication that it's working when the van is NOT connected?

Let's hope that wire is fitted with a fuse.

FollowupID: 871571

Follow Up By: Uncle Dodgy - Thursday, Jun 30, 2016 at 19:22

Thursday, Jun 30, 2016 at 19:22

Hi Guys

I agree with Gone Bush, it could be supplying the trailer break controller.
We have a 2000 BT 19ft, and our break controller draws power from the BT. Not sure which pin is involved though.
We always disconnect the trailer coupling when parked up as it is otherwise drawing from the BT Batteries.

Hope this helps
Cheers
John

John & Sharyn
Takin' the long way home - Towing a Bushtracker

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Classifieds: Nissan Patrol 6X4 tow vehicle for 19ft Bushtracker., 19 Ft Queen Island Full Off Road Bushtracker.

FollowupID: 871572

Follow Up By: 10 - Thursday, Jun 30, 2016 at 20:02

Thursday, Jun 30, 2016 at 20:02

Thanks fellus I am inclined towards the pin supplying power for the van brakes but would like to know where it connects to the van battery and as you say hope there is a fuse because every now then when moving the plug for cleaning I get a flash Nought said for now unless someone really knows cheers Frank

FollowupID: 871577

Reply By: Mobi Condo - Thursday, Jun 30, 2016 at 20:48

Thursday, Jun 30, 2016 at 20:48

We have a live line as well. Seems that it runs power to house batteries and therefore will charge as we drive. Then when stationary, connected and solar charging we have current flow back to vehicle thus charging that as well! This has been measured via Multimeter just to see what was happening.

AnswerID: 601995

Follow Up By: 10 - Thursday, Jun 30, 2016 at 21:07

Thursday, Jun 30, 2016 at 21:07

All very much smart stuff would love to see the wiring diagram

FollowupID: 871583

Reply By: JohnS - Friday, Jul 01, 2016 at 05:44

Friday, Jul 01, 2016 at 05:44

When you pick up your BT new they used to give you a sheet with the layout of the large round plug. Because the vans then didn't have reversing lights, they use that pin as a feed from the vehicle to charge the van batteries. It has nothing to do with the van's brakes. If you get on to BT they will email you the layout and explanation.

AnswerID: 602003

Reply By: Gone Bush - Friday, Jul 01, 2016 at 06:53

Friday, Jul 01, 2016 at 06:53

If it's not the original tow vehicle, I wonder where that 12 volts is going to, in the vehicle, when the plug is plugged in.

AnswerID: 602004

Follow Up By: 10 - Friday, Jul 01, 2016 at 07:53

Friday, Jul 01, 2016 at 07:53

I'm sure Steve will know I will give him a try

FollowupID: 871592

Follow Up By: JohnS - Saturday, Jul 02, 2016 at 05:36

Saturday, Jul 02, 2016 at 05:36

Stephen, I believe they used to install a blocking diode in the circuit. We had an 04 model we bought new but now have a 2011 model and on it the feed is via an andersons plug. Hope that helps.
John

FollowupID: 871632