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Topic: Twin electrics and why I need them?

andy5898

04/8/2014 at 11:49am
Location: Bristol
Outfit: Trailer Tent

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We have decided in investing in a caravan (once we find one we like and is in budget). In the mean time we have a tow bar on our car with single electrics which works for the trailer we have.

I know this is probably a really stupid question but why do we need twin electrics for a caravan? What do they do?

Cheers

clbewi

04/8/2014 at 12:12pm
Location: Essex
Outfit: Lunar Delta TS 2017

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If you want run the fridge and battery charger while on the move, you will need this second socket wired in. Plus it powers the reverse light.

Colin

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Grampian91

04/8/2014 at 12:12pm
Location: Midlands
Outfit: Mondeo Avondale Gram

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No you dont need twin electrics as long as you dont want to run the fridge or charge the battery on the move.

I always start out with a fully charged battery so little point in connecting that up to the tow vehicle.
I never run the fridge on the move either.

albee

04/8/2014 at 12:17pm
Location: None Entered
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Hi, the socket you have on the car now will be the 12n socket and just works road the lights. its a standard system and is the same for caravan or trailer. the other socket is a 12s and would if fitted and wired correctly supply a 12v supply which can work internal 12v electrics and supply a small charge to caravan battery but not much. but as you are unlikely to need to run 12v electrics in caravan from the car could do without that bit. 2nd it supplies 12v to power fridge but only when car engine is running to keep fridge cold whilst towing to and fro. up to you if need that facility as a pre-chilled fridge will stay cold for awhile. 3rd works reverse lights on caravan if they are fitted our caravan has not got any. In short a 12s socket is not a definite requirement its up to you.

andy5898

04/8/2014 at 12:21pm
Location: Bristol
Outfit: Trailer Tent

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Brilliant thank you. I'm not worried about running the fridge etc (once we get the caravan) while we are moving etc. So single electrics will do for a while to get us going certainly.

Ta.

DaveS1

06/8/2014 at 6:20pm
Location: Hatfield Peverel Essex
Outfit: Ace Supreme Twinstar Disco 3

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You will want to run the fridge particularly if you go abroad in the summer.
It gets very hot in the caravan even whilst you are driving and there is nothing worse than arriving on site and finding the beer is warm.
Daves1

scarletsfan

06/8/2014 at 8:16pm
Location: Llangennech Nr Llanelli S Wales.
Outfit: VW Touareg & Swift Charisma 635

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If you buy a caravan with atc fitted you will need the second socket to power that system

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Jax365

07/8/2014 at 8:00pm
Location: south cheshire
Outfit: VW Caddy Maxi

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Just turn the fridge into a 'coolbox'. Pack cooled items from fridge just before you leave, and stuff you have frozen for a day or so later, add a couple of ice packs and it will stay cool for at least 5 hours.

My car only has single electrics, fortunately, so does my caravan... they are both old things.... I charge the battery with a portable smart charger on EHU.

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moorlander999

08/8/2014 at 11:00am
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I posted this on another subject , hope it helps...

Your fridge will not operate on the 12v battery fitted inside the small side locker/box on your caravan

Before you use the fridge on a caravan site You need to cool it first at home on mains elec.or lpg (calor bottle) and then when you set off switch it over to 12v.. after you have connected the plugs or plug into the sockets on your tow bar. -

Your caravan will either have two plugs or one plug depending on year/ model of van.

.These are located around the area near the tow hitch.

You MAY have two sockets on your tow bar ?

One is black and the other has a white cap or grey cap ?

Or you have only one plug which has 13 pins ? These are usually fitted to modern caravans and cars usually since 2011( possibly slightly earlier)

When you drive off your car will power the fridge just enough to keep it cool(like an electric cool box , the type that plug on the cigarette lighter)

You will also be charging your caravan battery ( via the smart charging circuit/system/ relays ) fitted on the grey/white plug called the 12S

The black one - controls the lights at the back of the van, brake lights etc and this is called the 12N

When you switch your engine off but keep the plugs connected, you will have a 12v supply from car to power your interior lights on your. Caravan( this differs on some caravans- some just power from the caravan battery when still connected but ignition off- it just depends on the power panel / model of van )

Just to note :- the 12v connection from your car will not cool it down sufficiently unless you plug the van into the mains elec or run it on the lpg gas prior to going off on your hols......

Get it down to temp on either gas or mains elec....then when you are on the move switch it over to 12v and that will keep it ticking over at a reasonably low temp until you get to your site.

LlaniDavis

08/8/2014 at 2:30pm
Location: Llanidloes Powys
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Moorlander,
Very good, but one thing I would add is that many European cars, especially VAG, BMW and Merc do not include the circuitry for the fridge and battery charging as standard, even with the new 13 pin electrics. This may need to be added as an extra kit, fitted on purchase.

I gave up bothering as I found they did very little, and using the 6 hour crossing over La Manche it was just as effective to pre-cool, add a few freezer packs, and leaving the door shut. My beer was still nice and cold when I arrived in Southern Brittany.

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