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Subject Topic: 12s towbar socket Post Reply Post New Topic
07/6/2013 at 10:15pm
 Location: Bedfordshire
 Outfit: Vectra 1.9cdti Swift ClassicCorvette
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Hi

I have just installed a 12s towbar socket to my car as only had the single socket.

I have installed a 12s upgrade kit. It has a combination relay. I have spliced into the wiring loom for my permanant live. Have installed and connected the relay and have successfully installed the socket.

The question I have is I have taken the trigger wire (switch live) from the 12v socket in the rear of the car. I was unable to locate ignition wire. This 12 v socket only becomes live when the ignition is turned on so im presuming that its performing the same function.

Can anyone advise if this is ok?



07/6/2013 at 10:53pm
 Location: Midlands
 Outfit: Mondeo Avondale Gram
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Live with the ignition on or with the engine running?

Is its live with the ignition you could be pulling power from the caravan battery when starting the car.

Get a smart charge relay inbetween. It cuts the power unless the alternator is supplying enough charge.

Tapped into the rear power socket wire not a towbar feed?



07/6/2013 at 11:20pm
 Location: Bedfordshire
 Outfit: Vectra 1.9cdti Swift ClassicCorvette
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Its live with the ignition.

The relay I have is a combination relay tf116 from ryder.

Would you say i need to change this 

 

 



08/6/2013 at 12:44am
 Location: Midlands
 Outfit: Mondeo Avondale Gram
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If it connects to the caravan battery with just the ignition then i wouldnt use that one directly connected.

Some way to disconnect it when the engine is not running should be fitted.

Are you sure its the right feed for the towbar?



08/6/2013 at 6:39am
 Location: Milton Keynes
 Outfit: 2023Archway Woodford
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As long as you do not leave the ignition turned on for any great length of time without engine running and caravan is connected you should not have a problem.
I have never had a problem this way in 40 years of caravanning

Post last edited on 08/06/2013 07:15:20


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08/6/2013 at 10:03am
 Location: Bedfordshire
 Outfit: Vectra 1.9cdti Swift ClassicCorvette
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In the vauxhall vectra there is a fuse board in the boot. I took the permanant live from a cable that enters here before it reaches the fuseboard. Im confident that this will be sufficient for caravan electrics. The relay is working when ignition is turned before engine is started. 

Like birdman says I will not leave the ignition on while caravan connected. I will switch car completly off when I stop to avoid draining battery.

My concearn is now will the car use the leisure battery when starting. If so does this pose a major problem or is there a way around this  



08/6/2013 at 10:18am
 Location: Milton Keynes
 Outfit: 2023Archway Woodford
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As i said i have never had a problem in 40 years i have always wired mine this way .If you want piece of mind you could always wire a diode in the feed to the caravan but having worked with electric all my working life feel this unnecessary.The only thing to make sure of is that the cable for powering the fridge that you run to the battery is of adequate size so as not to get voltage drop

Post last edited on 08/06/2013 10:42:47


08/6/2013 at 10:56am
 Location: Bedfordshire
 Outfit: Vectra 1.9cdti Swift ClassicCorvette
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Ok birdman, that puts my mine at rest. Its not a big job to move the feed if neccasary as there is about 10 permant lives that run in the boot so if needed I can move this. The cable I have connected to appears the same size as the feed cable supplied with the kit. I will leave this as it is. Presumming with engine running and caravan connected  I can test for voltage drop with a multimeter.


08/6/2013 at 11:27am
 Location: Bedfordshire
 Outfit: Vectra 1.9cdti Swift ClassicCorvette
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Out of question, I dont really need to charge leisure battery while driving as never use it. Am I able to disconect live and isolate in the socket so 12s is purely for the fridge?


08/6/2013 at 11:31am
 Location: Milton Keynes
 Outfit: 2023Archway Woodford
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Yes just don't wire pin 2

Post last edited on 08/06/2013 11:39:59


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08/6/2013 at 11:40am
 Location: Bedfordshire
 Outfit: Vectra 1.9cdti Swift ClassicCorvette
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that solves both problems. I dont use the leisure battery anyway plus its always charging when on hookup.

I will discontect the live for the battery and only leave the fridge on.

Thanks Birdman!!!! 




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