Mysterious plug

[DUNSKI]

Hi, can anyone tell me what this plugs function is ? It is on my 61 bambi and so far no one seems to know...thanks

[overlander63]

That's a 12 volt power supply plug for your interior lights, fan, etc. There should be a 4 pin male connector that goes to your tow vehicle, or other battery.

[FLYNCLD]

You can also put the special Stimulus plug into that. Available from the government, you plug it in and money will just pour into your Bambi...like it already does!

Man that's a beautiful Bambi!

[DUNSKI]

Great, the four pin connector is coming out of the trailer next to the seven pin thing that attaches to the tow vehicle. So it seems redundant or wierd to me, maybe its over my head, is it like a auxillary kind of deal to be used with a second battery or what ? When do i plug it in , while hooked up to the van or when im on shore power or boonedocking, or should i just never plug it in...i have had a type 24 battery w/ inverter installed and done away whit the old tractor battery setup, so i guess this plug is old school stuff!!! Thanks again, gary

[FLYNCLD]

Terry might know more, but yes, I believe it is redundant and made to plug into a battery when you are not hooked up to your TV.

[gail]

She has a great shine! Who done it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[markdoane]

It's actually the charge line from the tow vehicle to the battery. Your trailer originally had a six-way plug for the exterior lights and brakes.

At some time in the past, your trailer was upgraded to a seven-way connector. Along with a change in the way the brake light and turn signals were wired, the extra connector is now indeed redundant.

One advantage of the old method was that it made it easier to change the polarity to match to tow vehicle. Back then there were both negative ground and positive ground wiring systems.

[overlander63]

Since you have everything hooked up, and everything works, it is indeed superfluous.

[DUNSKI]

the shine is courtesy of C&G Trailers Bellflower, CA

[Mikethefixit]

Is it possible that like the old semi-trailers its equipped with two different size plugs so either size can be used. Check and see if there is continuity between any of the pins of the two plugs.

[overlander63]

Originally Posted by Mikethefixit

Is it possible that like the old semi-trailers its equipped with two different size plugs so either size can be used. Check and see if there is continuity between any of the pins of the two plugs.

The ones I've seen have had two + and two - posts on the plug. I guess if you really wanted them, you could have a small flotilla of batteries connected through the connector.
I've also seen one Bambi that had that plug connected to the tractor battery in the battery compartment under the front window. Kind of "The Department of Redundancy Department".

[mello mike]

My Overlander didn't have this plug, but was hard-wired instead with the access hole covered with a plate and the wires running along the front in a small aluminum tube. This tube terminated inside the coach.

[mello mike]

Originally Posted by mello mike

My Overlander didn't have this plug, but was hard-wired instead with the access hole covered with a plate and the wires running along the front in a small aluminum tube. This tube terminated inside the coach.

Here a pic of this plate and tube to pass the charge wires (yes, it's ugly). But I have a plan for taking care of this eye sore. The bottom pic shows my new Pollak 6-wire plug temporarily installed using the original access hole that the old 4-wire plug used. The extra holes have been temporarily closed with rivets and a screw (pop rivet gun broke again ), buck rivets will be installed later.

Mounting my new Pollak 6-wire plug using the old hole made a lot of sense and gives me better access than where the original umbilical was wired to the trailer. The fresh water tank will be moved to under the streetside bed, freeing up space in the front for all of my electronics (fuse panel and inverter/chargers).