By Ian A., Trade Connectors
Short answer: if your tail lift is cutting out, running slow, or losing power intermittently, a worn or corroded Anderson connector is one of the most common — and cheapest — causes to rule out before assuming it's the pump or motor. Tail lifts use the SB175 connector (175A continuous, 35mm² cable), and a scorched, loose, or pitted connector can cause exactly the symptoms that get blamed on bigger, more expensive faults.
Signs your Anderson connector needs replacing
- Arcing or a burning smell when connecting or disconnecting — a clear sign the contacts are worn and no longer seating properly.
- Visible melting, discolouration, or a blackened housing around the pins.
- Intermittent power — the lift works, then cuts out, then works again, especially when the cable is moved or flexed.
- Corrosion or green residue on the copper contacts, common on vehicles that see a lot of wet weather or road salt.
- A loose fit — connectors are designed to lock firmly; if yours pulls apart without resistance, the housing or latch is worn.
None of these are necessarily a fault with your tail lift itself — replacing a worn connector is a fraction of the cost of a call-out for "no power" that turns out to be exactly this.
Confirming you need SB175, not SB50
Tail lifts, HGV power packs, and fleet vehicles use the larger SB175 connector — roughly 80mm wide, grey housing, rated 175A continuous. It's worth double-checking before ordering: a small number of lighter or electric-assist lift systems use the smaller 50A connector instead, so match what's actually on your vehicle rather than assuming every tail lift is the same size.
Our 175A cable is built with 35mm² high-flex copper and is compatible with tail lifts from Anteo, Dhollandia, MBB Palfinger, Ratcliff Palfinger, Maxon, Zepro, HACO, Dautel and Del Equipment — available in lengths from 0.5m up to 10m, with a 10mm ring terminal for the battery/power pack end.
Shop: 175A Grey Anderson Cable · Commercial & HGV collection
Replacing it safely
Swapping the connector itself is usually straightforward — like-for-like, ring terminal to ring terminal. That said, this is a high-current circuit on a commercial vehicle, so a few basics matter:
- Isolate the power source before disconnecting or connecting anything — never work on a live circuit.
- Match the ring terminal size to your existing power pack connection point.
- Check polarity before connecting — get this wrong on a 175A circuit and the result is far more serious than a blown fuse.
- If you're not confident working on the vehicle's power circuit, this is a sensible one to hand to a qualified auto-electrician — the cable and connector are the easy part; the safety margin for high-current commercial vehicle wiring is not somewhere to guess.
Frequently asked questions
What are the signs a tail lift Anderson connector needs replacing?
Arcing, a burning smell, visible melting or discolouration on the housing, corrosion on the contacts, intermittent power, or a connector that no longer locks firmly. Any of these are worth acting on before they cause a full failure.
Can I replace a tail lift power cable myself?
The connector swap itself is straightforward if you're comfortable working safely on vehicle electrics — isolate the power first, match terminal sizes, and check polarity. If you're not confident with high-current commercial vehicle wiring, it's worth having a qualified auto-electrician handle it.
Which tail lift brands does the SB175 cable fit?
Anteo, Dhollandia, MBB Palfinger, Ratcliff Palfinger, Maxon, Zepro, HACO, Dautel and Del Equipment.
What length cable do I need?
Depends on the distance between your power pack and battery — available from 0.5m up to 10m. Measure the existing run before ordering, including any slack for movement.
Is SB175 the same as SB50?
No — SB175 is physically larger (~80mm vs ~35mm wide) and rated for 175A continuous vs 50A. They won't mate with each other, so check which one your lift actually uses before ordering.
Not sure which connector or cable length your tail lift needs? Get in touch — we're happy to check before you order.