Thread: N and S type Towing Electrics

my D4 came with the flat to round connector.

The black one has the lights etc, the white one has constant 12V supply and an ignition switched 12V supply. They are set up for Euro vans and need some adjustment for Aussie vans. I think the FAQ gives you advice on how to wire the electric brakes in Aus, which uses one of the light circuits on the Disco so is not a direct conversion. Otherwise there have been several threads on the topic.

I have a Geist, which came to Australia with the N and S plugs which are perfectly compatible with the Disco. However, they replaced them with a 12 pin flat plug as part of the Australianisation process. I just made up an adaptor plug which converts the N and S plugs to a 12 pin flat plug. Since there are no electric brakes there are no problems.

The only real problem is the circuit used for the electric bakes on Aussie vans, which needs some work before you can just plug in a 7 pin adaptor, otherwise you will get brakes when you turn the lights on.

Bob

Oze,Bob
Any chance of a picture of the converter so I can make sure I get one.

Oze, did you have any issues as mentioned Bob?

I ask this as I have been told by the dealer that the plugs are set up for Aussie standards already.

Bob Oze, which plug do you use then?

Richard

For my Geist I use both plugs as the white one provides power for charging the battery and running a 12V fridge etc. The second row on the 12 pin flat plug are connected to the white socket, the other row is connected to the black socket.

For normal 7 pin flat plugs, they will only be connected to the black plug. With no electric brakes I think there are no changes. However, you need to connect the brake unit to the correct pin and disable the current Euro parking light circuit if I remember correctly.

As mentioned earlier, there is a topic on the FAQ written by Sniegy about how to wire up the electric unit so that it works. Also plenty of other topics on electric brakes and their issues.

Bob

The dealer should give you a 7 pin round to 7 pin flat converter if you are getting the tow pack (you need this option to get a tongue, otherwise you just get a receiver).

If they don't, then whinge. It plugs into the black connector and is for trailer lights.

Cheers
Will

Super cheap have an array of round to flat etc. but if it's a new car I'd be showing the dealer a photo of the van plug and making sure he agrees to include everything needed to just plug the van in - does the van have led lights - you might need a pulse shunt unless they've sorted the silly led pulsing with the 2013 models

Originally Posted by Meken

making sure he agrees to include everything needed to just plug the van in - does the van have led lights - you might need a pulse shunt unless they've sorted the silly led pulsing with the 2013 models

That isn't a dealer responsibility, supplying it with the Australian standard connector is.

Bet you confused now. I had the same trouble when getting my car ready to tow a 3 tone van.

I use a converter that can be purchased from repo, super cheap etc. to convert the 7 pin round to flat plug for my van. This will provide electric brakes, when fitted and all lights to the van.

Be aware there is a wire that needs to be cut to stop the headlights activating the trailer brakes. Make sure this wire is cut when you are fitting the electric brakes to the disco. There is a thread on how to do that by sniegy. Sniegy is your friend here.

I have also run an Anderson plug direct from the battery via a 100amp redarc solinoid to provide power to the van while driving. The power supplied via the white plug is only about 30-40amps from memory running a very small copper core, be carefull you don't over use this. I.e. a 3 way fridge running on 12 volts in the van needs more power than this. Plus you will get voltage drop at high loads. Also it is hard to find the white receptacle plug in Australia without customizing one.

I have also installed a fuse before the solinoid to ensure it does not short. The cable run for the Anderson plug will be fun if you choose to do this, be ready to rip a few trims off.

I am using the teckonsha p3 brake controller. I am happy with the setup and its operation and haven't faulted yet.

Hope you enjoy the new disco 4. When does it arive.

Almost forgot, make sure you get mud flaps otherwise you will sand blast your van!!! Get these thrown in if you can, otherwise start looking on eBay.