juschuman
Pasadena, CA
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Joined: 05/09/2008
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Greetings,
I have found some posts on this issue, but honestly, they are hard for me to understand, and I'm not sure they really answer my question.
I just bought a 2000 820. The previous owner gave me a cord that runs from the plug on the TC to the back of my truck (Ford F250).
He said that while it will work to run everything, it will NOT charge the TC battery (?).
He suggested that I get an in-bed plug, but NOT to get the LANCE plug, because it can only be used on lance's and I might want to use it for something else someday.
I don't really understand how the electrical works on this TC, as it's our first purchase of anything bigger than a 2 person tent.
Thanks for your help! So far this forum has helped a TON!
JS
2003 F250SRW 7.3 FX4 Shortbox Crewcab - Vision 81 19.5's / 265 Hankook DH01's - Powerslots / Hawks - Timbrens SES springs / Stable Loads - 2000 Lance 820 - Torklift Superhitch w/Supertruss - Torklifts w/Fastguns - 1988 Circle J 2-Horse BP Straight Load
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Deaver
Bucks County, PA
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Joined: 09/01/2004
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Welcome to the Truck Camper World
Lance uses a “unique” shaped 6-Pin plug and receptacle harness on their campers. These harnesses are available from a Lance Dealer or on-line
On-line Vendor
The Truck side harness is intended to be mounted in the bed of the truck. The wires of this harness include wires to be connected to the running lights, stop-turn lights, etc and an 8 Awg wire to be connected to the Truck Battery. This 8 Awg wire (White) is obviously larger then the rest when you look at the harness. This white wire is used to charge the camper on-board battery when connected. There is a wiring diagram that should be included with the harness when purchased
As far as your previous owner’s suggestion, I take his advice 2 ways
First, The standard 7-pin factory truck wiring will not support the Battery charge circuit as the wire gauge is too small.
Second, many owners have indeed changed out the unique Lance plug/socket configuration in favor of the “standard” 7-Pin harness. Keep in mind that you will have to match connection to connection for change.
Here’s what I did.
I purchased the Lance harness and a Gooseneck Wiring Harness like this one
More Info
The Goosneck harness plugs into the existing truck trailer wiring harness at the rear of the truck. I then mounted both Harness connectors in the bed. I tied (tapped) the Lance harness into the (Connector end) of the Gooseneck harness following the lance diagram, with the exception of the 8 Awg wire mentioned previously. The 8 Awg wire was run up to the engine Compartment of the truck and fuse connected to the Battery.
Although my approach is a more expensive install, I feel I have solid connections and can plug any Lance (Should I receive a large lottery wining) or anything into one or the other connectors as I need.
Here is another thread on the subject
And another
If you have more questions, fire away
* This post was
edited 05/25/08 08:36am by Deaver *
Deaver
'05 Dodge 3500/CTD Dually - '04 Lance 835
A Jeep we pull on a Hauler
Don't talk much but can listen like hell
Just Trying to be the person my Dog thinks I am
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juschuman
Pasadena, CA
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THanks for the tip.... a few questions just to confirm:
1) The gooseneck harness you use alows the plug at the hitch to be open to be used for a trailer (we plan on towing one behind our TC)?
2) And since I already have a pigtail adapter plug that converts the lance plug into a standard 7 pin, any suggestions on how I can bypass the 12v wire in the gooseneck harness and tap into my battery directly? I'm assuming i'd want a battery isolator too?
Thanks, I am slowly but surely figuring this stuff out!
Jon
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Matthew_B
The boonies near Dallas, Oregon
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Joined: 08/18/2005
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The advantage of the lance plug is that it can take a bigger wire for the ground and battery wire than a regular 7 pin. But as you note, if you use the lance plug, you can't use the in bed connector to hook up to a goose neck or 5th wheel trailer.
The Lance should have an isolator in it, so you don't need anything on the truck except a fuse near the truck battery.
Use at least 8 guage wire for the battery feed... you really can't go too heavy.
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Gary3
Windsor, ON
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Joined: 12/26/2006
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The Lance plug hooksup at the front of the box for the camper only, the one at the back stays independent for hauling a trailer or what ever. Also the larger charge wire does a better job than the one from the truck.
Gary Lance 1181 solar Gen.
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Deaver
Bucks County, PA
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Joined: 09/01/2004
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juschuman wrote:Thanks for the tip.... a few questions just to confirm:
1) The gooseneck harness you use allows the plug at the hitch to be open to be used for a trailer (we plan on towing one behind our TC)?
Sorry, I should have been a little clearer. The GN harness actually plugs into the existing Truck wiring "behind" the bumper 7-pin connector (Socket). You disconnect the truck harness from the back of the 7-pin socket. Then plug in the GN Harness and then plug back into the bumper 7-pin socket. This allows you to continue to use the bumper trailer connector. The other end of the GN Harness you then mount into the bed wall of the truck and it also has a 7-pin connector (Socket. The net result is you will end up with two 7-pin sockets. One in the original location (Bumper) and the other mounted in the bed itself. We also pull a Trailer with our Camper on-board
Quote:2) And since I already have a pigtail adapter plug that converts the lance plug into a standard 7 pin, any suggestions on how I can bypass the 12v wire in the gooseneck harness and tap into my battery directly? I'm assuming I'd want a battery isolator too?
I am not sure you can replace the "Charge" line on the the GN harness with an 8 AWG wire with out looking at the harness itself. I am not sure I can help you on that one. There is an isolator already on board in the Lance
Quote:Thanks, I am slowly but surely figuring this stuff out!
You are Welcome. We were all here at some point too
Matthew_B wrote:The advantage of the lance plug is that it can take a bigger wire for the ground and battery wire than a regular 7 pin. But as you note, if you use the lance plug, you can't use the in bed connector to hook up to a goose neck or 5th wheel trailer.
I am not sure if this was aimed at me
I have two connectors in my Bed mounted just below the Stake pocket on the left front. The first is the Lance socket and the second is the GN socket which is a standard 7-pin. The Connectors are mounted one above the other and are tied together except for the "charge" line for the Lance wiring. I use whichever socket for the task at hand
* This post was
edited 05/28/08 03:20pm by Deaver *
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juschuman
Pasadena, CA
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Deaver wrote:I am not sure you can replace the "Charge" line on the the GN harness with an 8 AWG wire with out looking at the harness itself. I am not sure I can help you on that one. There is an isolator already on board in the Lance
So am I correct in understanding your "charge" line on your GN harness goes unused? You run a seperate 8 AWG for that to charge your TC battery?
And as for the battery isolator, cool beans. I think both my Lance, AND my 03' F250 have one from stuff I've read...
So what if I just use the GN harness? My battery on the TC won't charge?
Thanks for bearing with me!
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Deaver
Bucks County, PA
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Joined: 09/01/2004
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juschuman wrote:
So am I correct in understanding your "charge" line on your GN harness goes unused? You run a separate 8 AWG for that to charge your TC battery?
The Charge line is live in the GN Harness because it is connected (tapped into) the Trucks Wiring Harness at the bumper or hitch location. I do not have it tied to the Lance socket wiring as I do the other wires. I ran the Charge line from the Lance Harness direct to a fused connection to the Battery
I can use the GN harness as it was intended should I ever tow a GN or a fifth wheel Trailer
Quote:And as for the battery isolator, cool beans. I think both my Lance, AND my 03' F250 have one from stuff I've read...
So what if I just use the GN harness? My battery on the TC won't charge?
Thanks for bearing with me!
The Lance wiring calls for an 8 AWG Charge line. Will your Camper Battery be charged? I think to some degree but you will be taxing the GN Harness and your Truck wiring. I would not rely on it and would be concerned from a safety view also. If you buy the GN Harness and plan on using it alone, Look into upgrading the wire size for the Charge size. You may be able to take the connector apart and up-size the wire to accomplish this
Wiring Gauges are NOT something you should skip on. The wrong size can get overheated (Resistance) and become brittle and fail or worse, cause a fire
* This post was
edited 05/28/08 03:46pm by Deaver *
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juschuman
Pasadena, CA
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AWESOME! Thanks!
Ok, I think I get it... sorry, I'm kind of a "show me" kind of guy.
So where exactly did you tap in your lance harness into the GN harness?
Wow, well I think I am reconsidering all this. I might just stick with the Lance harness and when/if I change rigs, I'll just switch out the harness!!! Seems like a lot to go through to get the universal plug AND the lance plug.
My situation is a little different, because I already HAVE a home made 4' pigtail (with 8 AWG on the charge line) that has the lance female plug on one end, and the 7-pin male on the other end. So I GUESS I could just tap a normal 7-pin harness into the factory wiring, except the charge wire which I can run to the battery...
That way I have only one plug in my bed (the standard 7-pin)...
* This post was
edited 05/28/08 03:58pm by juschuman *
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Deaver
Bucks County, PA
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juschuman wrote:AWESOME! Thanks!
What did we do before the internet!!!
You are most welcome
Spent more time Camping or watching TV 
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