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Hi gfinlay,

Thanks for the update and glad they seem to have finally acknoledged the problem.

I think they are improving their customer response, I had a problem with my ATC retro-fit not working, they sent out an engineeer, replaced the system, did a full test and couldn't find any fault with the system. Worked on their van but not my car. Asked me to check again with the tow-bar fitter and found they had used a short-cut and wired to the 12v aux socket in the boot, which didn't deliver enough amps, when they wired correctly all worked ok. Told Al-ko and they thanked me and said they would note for future reference, no charge for fitting new ATC.

Quote: Originally posted by gfinlay on 19/7/2011

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But now we know what to look for, we are careful and have added a check to our "hook up" routine.

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We had trouble with our ATC not long after we had it fitted from new. It seemed to be working ok, (making all the right noises on power up etc) but the LED on the fairing didn't always light up. Sometimes it would start, flash & go off or never appear in the first place, at other times it never skipped a beat. Of course all this happened just as we were ready to set off so it was very unnerving, hoping that it doesn't actually fail totally and jam all the brakes on. As it turned out it was a dodgy dual LED unit, replaced under warranty.

However, I decided that with a bit of simple control electronics and a couple of additional flashers I could fit a 13 pin socket onto the fairing, wire in some power from the onboard battery and without interfering with the original wiring I could utilise additional features. I always thought it would be useful to have lights and hazards when using the mover to shift the van on & off the road in the winter when its dark. I wired the appropriate supply to test that the ATC is working too, anytime, and not just the minute we are ready for the off. It works for me.

Dave

Christech: I have a tester for the car to prove pin 9/13 are active so I know if the car can provide a current that will clear and reset any inadvertent partial activiations. (I change my cars a lot) If it is a car that provides a 9/13 circuit, then the normal check at hook up which is "listen for the noise of ATC activating" then check tell tale light for solid green (or flashing green if just back from a service - which resets it to an unused position)  Note: you can also tell if your car does not provide 9/13 current as it should not activate the ATC at hook up.

If the car does not have 9/13 pins active, then I activate the ATC from the caravan panel and make sure it goes fully through the arming cycle then, when complete, ensure that the internal caravan circuits are all off before hooking up.

Pickled Onion: A braver man than I.  Following my experience I would never attempt to modify caravan electrics if an ATC is fitted.

Safe caravanning to you all. 

Quote: Originally posted by gfinlay on 24/7/2011

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Christech: I have a tester for the car to prove pin 9/13 are active so I know if the car can provide a current that will clear and reset any inadvertent partial activiations. (I change my cars a lot) If it is a car that provides a 9/13 circuit, then the normal check at hook up which is "listen for the noise of ATC activating" then check tell tale light for solid green (or flashing green if just back from a service - which resets it to an unused position)  Note: you can also tell if your car does not provide 9/13 current as it should not activate the ATC at hook up.

If the car does not have 9/13 pins active, then I activate the ATC from the caravan panel and make sure it goes fully through the arming cycle then, when complete, ensure that the internal caravan circuits are all off before hooking up.

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Quote: Originally posted by gfinlay on 24/7/2011

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Pickled Onion: A braver man than I.  Following my experience I would never attempt to modify caravan electrics if an ATC is fitted.

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On the contrary, I haven't modified any of the caravan's original electrics, and wouldn't under any circumstances. All I have done is mimic the tow car's electrics using the power source carried by the caravan already.

Dave

Quote: Originally posted by Surfer01 on 19/9/2012

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Unit is very stable and we check noseweight before each journey. I should have mention that prior to the bed the road is very bumpy probably due to vehicles braking so caravan bouncing a bit and sharp left hand bend may induce ATC to activate when it should not. Just a guess of course.

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