I am considering buying a second hand van with electric brakes and I have no idea of what i need in my car for them and what is involved in the connection, unfortunately the van is in Adelaide and I am in Yulara NT. any advise greatly appreciated Bru
Bru, you're going to need details on the electrical connections on the van and get something compatible installed on your car. You'll also need an electric brake controller installed in your car which connects to the caravan - get this installed by someone who knows about this sort of thing because different models may work differently and correct installation is absolutely necessary. Get the installer to instruct you how to use it.
All you have to find out regarding the new vans electrics is the plug fitted to it. If it is not the same system as you have on the tug presently is to decide whether you wish to retain the current tugs socket and change the van or vice versa. Don't worry too much about how the new van is wired, the trailer connections should be wired to an Oz standard - see this link for the pin connections. Any auto electrician will wire the connectors to this standard. When you get your installer to wire up your brake controller (if you can not do it yourself0 he will wire it up correctly to the socket on the tug and things should work OK.
In the short term, if you have a different style connector on each vehicle you can purchase an adaptor to convert one system to the other (providing a 12 pin connector is not part of the deal.) If the new van has a 12 pin plug on it I would suggest you retain it and change the tugs socket. The large pins are rated at 35 A which are necessary to carry the 12 V power for the fridge. I suggest you have the hot wire for the fridge wired to pin 9 and that the installer use 8 gauge wire for the connection. Also have him wire in a relay connected to the ignition or accessory circuit to cut the fridge wire when the motor is not running (this prevents the fridge from flattening the starting battery if you leave the fridge connected when the motor is not running.)
When selecting a brake controller, go for a proportional action one as they give smoother braking.
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PeterD Nissan Navara D23 diesel auto, Spaceland pop-top Retired radio and electronics technician. NSW Central Coast.
didn't we provide all this info to you in May this year?????? I also offered to view the van for you and tell you what was on it so you could be prepared.
Cheers Baz
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Why is it so? Professor Julius Sumner Miller, a profound influence on my life, who explained science to us on TV in the 60's.
Thanks Baz I hope to contact you when I finally find a van and get to Adelaide. I think I now realise I cant just pick a van, connect it up and drive away so I will resolve any problems like this on site Thanks again I will contact you again hopefully before Xmas Bru