Hook-up Cable

[Viktorgeorge]

Exactly the same setup - ditched the orange cable drum and use Duck cover. I read that it's better for the cable

a related useful skill for cable storage:

 

[dennfo]

a related useful skill for cable storage:

Ha ha love it - "videos you would never expect to be watching, until you have a camper van"

 

[CaliforniaPhil]

Both the straight connector and the 90º one are stiff to remove. It's almost like you haven't depressed the release bit properly. Definitely going to have a go at lubricating it with some silicon grease. Will update if it makes it better.

Just had a good look at the ehu. I lubricated the plug with some silicon grease, it didn't make much difference.

If you haven't actually looked at the plug engagement mechanism, it's worth a look. You can get a good view with a tourch. My problem is it seems to be stuck in. It latches in when thr plastic peg on the flip up cover drops over an edge (or maybe a hole) in the connector. The blue push down lever, lifts the flap so you can pull it out. Mine doesn't seem to lift it that well, all the plastic just flexes and doesn't lift the flap. If you push in and move it a bit it disengages and it comes out. It feels like the blue lever could break.

More tinkering required, I'll try the 90º plug as well.

 

[VanFan]

Just had a good look at the ehu. I lubricated the plug with some silicon grease, it didn't make much difference.

If you haven't actually looked at the plug engagement mechanism, it's worth a look. You can get a good view with a tourch. My problem is it seems to be stuck in. It latches in when thr plastic peg on the flip up cover drops over an edge (or maybe a hole) in the connector. The blue push down lever, lifts the flap so you can pull it out. Mine doesn't seem to lift it that well, all the plastic just flexes and doesn't lift the flap. If you push in and move it a bit it disengages and it comes out. It feels like the blue lever could break.

More tinkering required, I'll try the 90º plug as well.

I’ll have a look at this, thanks. Maybe the same is happening with my blue lever.

 

[AlanC]

Isn’t that what the blue lever on the left side does?

Yes, that's right. However, on some sockets, you have to lift the lid of the plug to release it.

Alan

 

[johna]

a related useful skill for cable storage:

That’s very useful, thanks for that link. The first method made easy work of coiling my long heavy tough leads cable, which has always been a struggle. Always something new to learn.

 

[CaliforniaPhil]

I’ll have a look at this, thanks. Maybe the same is happening with my blue lever.

Had another look when I removed the plug today and as AlanC said the easiest way to get it out is lift the flap of the plug up manually. It has a bit of resistance when lifting it up.

 

[CaliforniaPhil]

Just an update on the ehu. We are away touring Cornwall and I was showing my wife how to stick your finger down the side of the plug in the van to release the ehu from the van. She said she had removed it the day before by pressing the end of the flap. Had a look on the 90⁰ cable from the caravan has a bit sticking out to push with your thumb to release it. I'm supposed to be the engineer!

 

[AdamsFamily]

Just an update on the ehu. We are away touring Cornwall and I was showing my wife how to stick your finger down the side of the plug in the van to release the ehu from the van. She said she had removed it the day before by pressing the end of the flap. Had a look on the 90⁰ cable from the caravan has a bit sticking out to push with your thumb to release it. I'm supposed to be the engineer!

View attachment 135792

Does this push on and pull off easily?

I know the van is new, and its only had a few outings with the electric, but I struggle to get the connector to both slide in easily (body panel actually moves) and then pulling it out feels like I'm going to pull the side of the van off!!

 

[CaliforniaPhil]

Does this push on and pull off easily?

I know the van is new, and its only had a few outings with the electric, but I struggle to get the connector to both slide in easily (body panel actually moves) and then pulling it out feels like I'm going to pull the side of the van off!!

Mine is a 72 plate, not used for the first 6 months as it was a demonstrator and it's just as hard. As you say the panel flexes when you are wiggling it around to get it out (and in). I've put silicon on mine, it didn't make much difference. On this thread people are saying about the little blue lever's not that good at lifting the flap. Mine flap has definitely up out of tha way. Maybe a bit of strategic sanding might help.

 

[AdamsFamily]

Mine is a 72 plate, not used for the first 6 months as it was a demonstrator and it's just as hard. As you say the panel flexes when you are wiggling it around to get it out (and in). I've put silicon on mine, it didn't make much difference. On this thread people are saying about the little blue lever's not that good at lifting the flap. Mine flap has definitely up out of tha way. Maybe a bit of strategic sanding might help.

I was thinking maybe silicon or even spray oil, but sounds like that's no help.
The lever isn't great I'll admit, but as I need two hands to pull the adapter out, the wife makes sure the lever is fully down, and the connector flap is disengaged and I just wriggle and pull.

I wondered if I had a wrong adapter but seems its standard so I'm at a loss what to do - except persevere and be careful I don't break anything.

 

[BristolCali]

If it is stiff and difficult to remove use a little bit of silicone grease on the connector prongs. I do this as routine maintenance and it helps a lot.

So it’s the contacts that are stiff not the plastic fit? I had always assumed it was the plastic that made mine hard to plug and unplug.

 

[Hawthorn37]

I was thinking maybe silicon or even spray oil, but sounds like that's no help.
The lever isn't great I'll admit, but as I need two hands to pull the adapter out, the wife makes sure the lever is fully down, and the connector flap is disengaged and I just wriggle and pull.

I wondered if I had a wrong adapter but seems its standard so I'm at a loss what to do - except persevere and be careful I don't break anything.

Mine is a 72 plate, not used for the first 6 months as it was a demonstrator and it's just as hard. As you say the panel flexes when you are wiggling it around to get it out (and in). I've put silicon on mine, it didn't make much difference. On this thread people are saying about the little blue lever's not that good at lifting the flap. Mine flap has definitely up out of tha way. Maybe a bit of strategic sanding might help.

I’d imagine sanding might increase the friction/ stiction. Try Autoglym Rubber and Vinyl Conditioner spray. It works for us - spray onto a cloth and rub over the contact areas. I reapply every few trips, takes seconds. Also good for the pop top roof hatch sliders.

 

[AdamsFamily]

I’d imagine sanding might increase the friction/ stiction. Try Autoglym Rubber and Vinyl Conditioner spray. It works for us - spray onto a cloth and rub over the contact areas. I reapply every few trips, takes seconds. Also good for the pop top roof hatch sliders.

Thank you, I'll go get some of that and give it a go. Good shout on the pop top hatch sliders too - we've got the knack of folding the excess and sliding but it takes 3 hands. Reckon it would help the under-sink doors slide easier too?

 

[CaliforniaPhil]

So it’s the contacts that are stiff not the plastic fit? I had always assumed it was the plastic that made mine hard to plug and unplug.

Makes sense, the last thing you would want is loose electrical connections and heat build up. I'll keep lubricating it regularly. Thanks

 

[Hawthorn37]

Thank you, I'll go get some of that and give it a go. Good shout on the pop top hatch sliders too - we've got the knack of folding the excess and sliding but it takes 3 hands. Reckon it would help the under-sink doors slide easier too?

The main reason I started buying this stuff many years ago was to condition door seals. But I’ve since found other good applications. One not to copy though is cleaning rubber floor mats! A lovely finish but lethally slippy

 

[Californication69]

Amazon.co.uk

How bizarre, the company ducksback are 3.2 miles from my house !
I’ll have a visit and see if I can secure some cable bags for cost price !
Thanks !

 

[Californication69]

The main reason I started buying this stuff many years ago was to condition door seals. But I’ve since found other good applications. One not to copy though is cleaning rubber floor mats! A lovely finish but lethally slippy

One question regarding applying a thin layer of this stuff to electrical connectors, are you providing a layer that’s not electrically conductive, thus causing a potential fire risk?
Is the silicon “conductive” ?

 

[AdamsFamily]

Makes sense, the last thing you would want is loose electrical connections and heat build up. I'll keep lubricating it regularly. Thanks

So are we lubing the metal 3 pin contacts or the blue casing? I'm confused....

 

[Ch1pbutty]

So are we lubing the metal 3 pin contacts or the blue casing? I'm confused....

You don’t need to lubricate anything!

 

[Californication69]

You don’t need to lubricate anything!

This thread suggests some people are doing otherwise.
I wanted to clarify as per the electrical contacts having a fire risk if people are lining the 3 copper connectors.
I’d have thought electrical contact cleaner or brake disc cleaner would have been better.
As lube will leave a slight layer on the electric contacts and be a fire risk.

 

[WelshGas]

This thread suggests some people are doing otherwise.
I wanted to clarify as per the electrical contacts having a fire risk if people are lining the 3 copper connectors.
I’d have thought electrical contact cleaner or brake disc cleaner would have been better.
As lube will leave a slight layer on the electric contacts and be a fire risk.

There are specific lubricants for sliding electrical contacts and Silicone , an insulator is not one of them.

 

[Californication69]

There are specific lubricants for sliding electrical contacts and Silicone , an insulator is not one of them.

Yep, this is what I did thunk.
So anybody who’s rubbing silicon on your electrical connectors are setting up for a potential fire hazard.

 

[AdamsFamily]

You don’t need to lubricate anything!

Right, so first we're lubing, then confusion if its the electrical contacts (which I doubt) or the blue casing, and now we don't need to.

So how have you got around the issue of the hook up not sliding on easily without a hefty push, or taking off without needing 3 hands and a prayer to hope you don't pull the whole socket off the van??

 

[Hawthorn37]

I haven’t applied to the contact points, just the outer plastic housing of the socket on the van. I find that this is enough.