otfiddler
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We're from Texas --- what country are YOU from?
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'67 Shasta Compact
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Post by otfiddler on Aug 22, 2015 18:56:31 GMT -8
I'm going to replace the 7-way plug on the front of my Shasta Compact, and the electric brakes are connected by a black wire and a white wire, in a brown jacket. Which of these wires connects to pin 2 on the 7-way plug, and which pin on the 7-way plug does the other wire connect to?
Thanks, Larry
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Post by vikx on Aug 22, 2015 22:06:32 GMT -8
Larry, the colors are stamped on the back of the plug. "BLUE" is brake Hot, not sure of the pin #.
White is almost always ground and if you use it consistently (both brakes), it doesn't matter which wire is hot or ground. I would use black for hot.
So, connect White to white on the plug for ground, black to BLUE for hot.
Hope this helps.
Note: the above relates to the universal RV tow wiring code. Do not confuse it with eTrailer's erroneous wiring information...
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otfiddler
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Post by otfiddler on Aug 23, 2015 9:56:19 GMT -8
Larry, the colors are stamped on the back of the plug. "BLUE" is brake Hot, not sure of the pin #. White is almost always ground and if you use it consistently (both brakes), it doesn't matter which wire is hot or ground. I would use black for hot. So, connect White to white on the plug for ground, black to BLUE for hot. Hope this helps. Note: the above relates to the universal RV tow wiring code. Do not confuse it with eTrailer's erroneous wiring information... Thanks for the info, vikx! There were so many splices of so many colors in my 7-way cable/trailer wiring interface, I'm going to replace the old 7-way harness with a new one with j-box, and I'm working to make sure that voltages and signals from the tow vehicle are getting to correct locations on my trailer (matching "gazindas" to "gazouttas", if you know what I mean). My (as yet un-installed) brake controller connects to the trailer brakes with a single blue wire (through pin 2 on my car's 7-way connector), so, if I understand you correctly, I should connect the black wire on my trailer's brakes to pin 2 on my new 7-way harness/J-box, and the white wire on my trailer's brakes to pin 1 on my new 7-way harness/J-box. Right? Thanks again, Larry |
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Post by vikx on Aug 23, 2015 11:25:25 GMT -8
Larry, I don't go by pin numbers at all. The universal 7 way code is by colors, which makes it easier: White is Ground Black is 12 volt Hot Blue is Brake Hot Green is Tail Lights and Markers Brown is Right Turn Red is Left Turn Yellow is a spare, it is the middle pole of the 7 way plug. (sometimes used for backup lights)  Your new cord/plug will follow the above. The colors are usually STAMPED in the plastic of the receptacle and plug. With a molded plug, follow the 7 way color code. According to this diagram, the brake pin would be Blue, # 4 (#2 would be Left Turn):  If the vehicle is not wired this way, I would re-position the wires to reflect the correct 7 way code. It will make repairs out and about much easier. Not to mention you should be able to connect to most RV trailers with no worries. Also, a 4 way flat adapter can be used and will be connected correctly. So, your Brake Hot line from the Car connects to the pole stamped BLUE. The trailer Brake Hot line (Black on yours) connects to the BLUE wire on the 7 way cord. Grounds are White, cleanly and securely connected to the trailer and vehicle frame. Your Brake Ground (probably White) is connected to the WHITE 7 way cord wire. I have to say it is confusing to me to use #s, because one must look at the plug/receptacle from the front. Sometimes, laying under a vehicle, it is easy to mix front and back up. Dizzy, yes. If you test the trailer wiring to see which wire does what, you'll have a much easier time of it. I use a portable test battery grounded to the frame.  You only have to worry about 3 wires for tow lighting: 1. TM, Tails and Markers 2. RT, Right Turn 3. LT, Left Turn Touch the wire you assume to be TM to the battery Hot and the Tails and Markers should light.  Once these 3 wires are isolated, the rest is easy. You'll have the Grounds, Blue for Brake Hot and Black for your charge/12volt Hot from the vehicle. Hope this helps you. NOTE: The 7 Way color code is universal for RV trailers in the US. Do not confuse it with the 4 way code (sometimes used on utility, boat and other small trailers, etc). |
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otfiddler
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We're from Texas --- what country are YOU from?
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Post by otfiddler on Aug 23, 2015 21:28:26 GMT -8
Thanks for the help, vikx, I'm more comfortable with numbers, since wire colors can be changed, but pin numbers are standard and fixed, and stamped on the connectors.
Thanks again for all the info, Larry
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Ten
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70 Shasta 16SC + 1964 Airflyte
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Post by Ten on Aug 24, 2015 5:46:25 GMT -8
Larry, just curious, what is your tow vehicle? If it is a newer truck, wired with a factory tow package, then it should (I say "should"...you know already what that means...) be wired with the color codes and pin locations just as Vikx explained, so wiring the trailer with a new molded 7-way plug is just as simple as matching colors, the vehicle will already be there. No matter the make, the (newer) vehicles are wired universally to accept the trailer plug without variations.
Testing the wiring on the trailer with a portable power source makes things easier too, as a way of making sure of what you're working with. I use the battery out of my lawn mower. That way, I am not confusing anything from the vehicle while I locate the trailer wiring.
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otfiddler
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We're from Texas --- what country are YOU from?
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Post by otfiddler on Aug 24, 2015 21:48:01 GMT -8
Larry, just curious, what is your tow vehicle? If it is a newer truck, wired with a factory tow package, then it should (I say "should"...you know already what that means...) be wired with the color codes and pin locations just as Vikx explained, so wiring the trailer with a new molded 7-way plug is just as simple as matching colors, the vehicle will already be there. No matter the make, the (newer) vehicles are wired universally to accept the trailer plug without variations. Testing the wiring on the trailer with a portable power source makes things easier too, as a way of making sure of what you're working with. I use the battery out of my lawn mower. That way, I am not confusing anything from the vehicle while I locate the trailer wiring. My tow vehicle is a 2005 Chrysler Town and Country, which didn't come with a towing wire harness. I've wired it with U-Haul kits using a pre-wired 7-way connector, so it's ready to go when the trailer is. Applying 12 volts to the trailer in the beginning only told me that I had serious problems --- most of my lights stayed dark. When I performed continuity checks, I learned that pins 2, 3 and 4 were shorted to ground, which was caused when the switch in the light over the sink failed, so I removed the light and "wire-nutted" the wires. Then I removed the patchwork 7-way connector and buzzed out all the trailer wires, to determine where they terminated. My primary problem was that the wire colors on my 7-way connector didn't jibe with any schematic I could find, so I didn't trust that the correct wire color was connected to the appropriate pin on the trailer connector, so I had to to find out what each wire on the trailer was required to do. I still have to replace some rusty taillights and clean up some intermittent grounds at the external lights, but I think I'll be able to run 12 volts to my taillights in a day or so, then connect my trailer connector to my tow vehicle connector in my driveway to make sure everything plays nice together. I appreciate your concern --- I'll end up with a standard wiring configuration after I'm through (more standard that it was when I got it, for certain!), colors, pin numbers and all! Thanks, Larry |
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Post by bigbill on Aug 25, 2015 3:13:15 GMT -8
Larry When they are talking about colors they are speaking about the markings on the trailer plug. most old trailers have a wild assortment of wire colors. You need to identify what each wire on your trailer makes operate, then hook that wire to the proper location on the new plug which is usually marked by color rather than number. Most of us mount a terminal box on or near the tongue then run new wires from there to the vehicle. This makes circuit testing easier in the future plus makes it easier to repair the connecting cable if it gets damaged.
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otfiddler
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We're from Texas --- what country are YOU from?
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Post by otfiddler on Aug 25, 2015 7:14:51 GMT -8
Larry When they are talking about colors they are speaking about the markings on the trailer plug. most old trailers have a wild assortment of wire colors. You need to identify what each wire on your trailer makes operate, then hook that wire to the proper location on the new plug which is usually marked by color rather than number. Most of us mount a terminal box on or near the tongue then run new wires from there to the vehicle. This makes circuit testing easier in the future plus makes it easier to repair the connecting cable if it gets damaged. Nice idea, but one of the most confusing things of all about my old 7-Way connector was that there was a brown wire connected to the pin marked "5 Green", a green wire connected to the pin marked "6 Brown" and a yellow wire attached to the pin marked "5 Red" ... So, the only way to resolve that was to do what you say in your post, and what I said in my previous post --- determine the circuit's function and connect it to the appropriate signal coming from the tow vehicle. By the way, my connector has both pin numbers AND wire colors stamped into it --- doesn't everybody's? Guess I'll find out when I get my new one. When I DO get my new 7-Way harness with J-Box (today, I think) I will also check it to make sure that it was assembled correctly, with the correct color wires on the proper connector pins. I learned many years ago while working in the U.S. Aerospace Industry that manufacturers don't always ship correct assemblies --- a few escape and cause a lot of trouble for customers who fail to check their purchase before using. "Trust But Verify!" I'll let you folks know how I fared after I've installed all, connected the trailer to the car and tried all the lights. By the way --- where did you install your J-Box and how did you install it? Thanks again, Larry |
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Post by bigbill on Aug 25, 2015 10:58:59 GMT -8
I have seen them mounted everywhere, I usually mount mine under the trailer out of the sun and weather. When it comes down to it it just doesn't matter as long as it won't get drug off or crushed.
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