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Tow electrics - CHAT

G

Guest

Guest
Julian and Chris, thanks for your comments.
My problem was that I had to fit them up fast in order to acquire a trailer
at the right price but it meant a 7 hour round trip down to Mostar to get
it. So for that distance I had to have all electrics working OK as they
have funny trailer laws here, even for those of us registered outside the
country. And the police are always stopping us for some excuse to extort cash.
As for removing muck underneath the 80, well, in theory there should not be
much as last weekend I had the garden sprinkler underneath it, as I do
every year to remove the winter's salt deposit. The actuality is that it
doesn't always get into all the nooks and crannies does it? So I blessed
the fact that I wear specs when I was under there.
Next problem is that nowhere can I obtain 7 core trailer cable in this
place - and it is a capital city after all. But its just another of life's
challenges when you live in places like this. (Very few trailers and no
caravans used here at all except by passing tourists). So off we went to
the local OBI DIY store and get some domestic cable. Some rubber covered 3
core and some twin with heavy insulation but looks like 1.5mm speaker cable.
So to the connections. As I had to run 2 lengths of cable this fitted well
with the variation of 'spare' connectors I had to hand. But I think mine
vary from those that you were both speaking of.
On the LHS by the cross member I found a 2 pin plug which had a tail light
feed and the other indeterminate. On the RHS I found a 3 pin socket, one
indeterminate, one tail light and one brake light. So yes I used a male
Lucar connector here. So this looked after the brake and tail circuits. And
suitably taped and inserted into the split corrugated conduit I had
liberated from the old trailer socket, it came nicely to the hitch via the
inside of the rear chassis member and out where the bolt access is. I used
the 3 core out through the other side of the rear member then up alongside
the main crossing loom and then through a suitably grommeted hole Toy put
in the floor about an inch outside the tool cubby. In there I connected to
the 2 flasher circuits and fog lamp. Aren't the Toy wires so thin ? No
better than a Renault.
Please forgive me I used Scotchlocks here ;o(
But needs must in these situations. The foglight by the way Chris, is not
fitted to my vintage and I put one on 3 years ago using a 'Ring' accessory
lamp from Halfords and wiring it direct from the dash panel. I used the Toy
earth in the centre of the rear body sill, cleaned it all up, sprayed it
with Mr Maplin's ptfe dielectric spray and wired-in a length of heavy 2mm
auto cable that I keep handy.
Halfway through the job I found that the socket that came with the towhitch
that I had liberated from the '96 80 I bought for the office last year
(another disposal Renate :-O ) was shot - the usual steel-screws-in-brass
corrosion problem, despite 3 days soaking with WD40. So I had to set off
on another safari to find a replacement. I eventually found a Turkish made
one in a flea market - the only stall that had one. Next problem will be
that the pins are all aluminium, again with steel screws in them. So when
next home I will not only buy the proper cable but also a quality socket.
(A proper towing relay kit would be useful too).
I got a socket wiring diagram off the net, wired it up (with cross links on
the tail and brake pins) but have not been able to fit a flasher warning
light or buzzer.
Once connected we went straight to Mostar. Hitched-up. Bolted on the plate,
pulled onto the main road, and in 100 yds got stopped by the police. ("Good
day to you consta-beee-you-ille, I trust you are well and have caught your
quota of villains for the day ?")
First he said that I should have headlights full-on 24 hours a day (I had
sidelights) but that is the law in Croatia 10 miles down the road matey not
in Bosnia. Next he said I should have lights full-on when towing - ignored
that. Next he asked if I own the car and could I prove it. Then he saw the
'UN' etched on the windows and asked when I got it from the UN, how long
ago, and how. Next he asked if I owned the trailer and could I prove it.
All this time his mate was behind the trailer looking at my lovely black
plate with 4 palm trees on it (haven't got a spare 'Euro' plate and they
don't make plates here - police only job), telling him I was a foreign
visitor and not to waste time trying to soak me for money. As I was acting
the dumb foreigner as usual and he spoke no English, he agreed to let me
off with a caution free of charge this time ! How generous.
And you lot are worried about Gatso's in vans :o)
By the way, the lights worked first time with no problem and the Toy 15 amp
tail light fuse is more than adequate, and survived the 3 hours back home.
Thanks all for your help.
Cheers
Jon
'92 HZJ80 ex UN surplus in Bosnia + 750kg capacity trailer.
 
Don't you have the plugs hanging down from the loom that runs across
the back under the bumper?
--
Regards,
Julian Voelcker
Mobile: 07971 540362
Cirencester, United Kingdom
1994 HDJ80, 2.5" OME Lift, ARB
 
Don't you have the plugs hanging down from the loom that runs across
the back under the bumper?
--
Regards,
Julian Voelcker
Mobile: 07971 540362
Cirencester, United Kingdom
1994 HDJ80, 2.5" OME Lift, ARB
 
Jon, do you want Mum to bring out some 7 core cable for you - she is
flying out on Monday. I have a few metres in the garage that you are
welcome to.
Gareth.
 
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