12v side of fridge not working now Alko have fitted ACT
- Thread starter Edward3
- Start date
I write assuming you have the 7 pin plugs and sockets:
The ATC ought to be wired to be powered from the permanently 12 V feed [pin 4] not the fridge one [6] however they share earth returns on pin 3.
With your fridge problem the earth is where I would first look for a problem.
Normally the ATC takes very little current but the fridge will be taking about 7 amps continuously. When the ATC acts it takes a lot of power, they specify a 20 amp fuse. However as the ATC takes little the fridge really ought to be unaffected by the presence of the ATC.
If not finding the problem in the earth I would remove the 20 Amp fuse supplying the ATC and see if without the ATC being powered the fridge is working.
Failing all that I would be pushing my multimeter into the socket to see if the fridge is getting a feed from the vehicle, then in the van is it getting to the fridge. Whilst doing this the vehicle engine needs to be idling or possibly just the ignition on.
Cheers John
The ATC ought to be wired to be powered from the permanently 12 V feed [pin 4] not the fridge one [6] however they share earth returns on pin 3.
With your fridge problem the earth is where I would first look for a problem.
Normally the ATC takes very little current but the fridge will be taking about 7 amps continuously. When the ATC acts it takes a lot of power, they specify a 20 amp fuse. However as the ATC takes little the fridge really ought to be unaffected by the presence of the ATC.
If not finding the problem in the earth I would remove the 20 Amp fuse supplying the ATC and see if without the ATC being powered the fridge is working.
Failing all that I would be pushing my multimeter into the socket to see if the fridge is getting a feed from the vehicle, then in the van is it getting to the fridge. Whilst doing this the vehicle engine needs to be idling or possibly just the ignition on.
Cheers John
Hi Edward, just a point regarding the info from JTQ. You should need the engine idling but remember to have some one in the car if you're in a public area otherwise should the car be driven off your insurance would probably wriggle out of paying.
The fridge and power supply SHOULDN'T share their earth return - pin 3 should only be used as the earth return for power supply, pins 2 and/or 4.
The fridge earth return should use pin 7.
The earth return circuits should be independent and NOT CONNECTED in the caravan or inter-connection cables - they will of course be joined within the towcar at the earthing point.
The fridge earth return should use pin 7.
The earth return circuits should be independent and NOT CONNECTED in the caravan or inter-connection cables - they will of course be joined within the towcar at the earthing point.
RogerL,
I stand corrected; should have looked at post 1998 wiring diag.
However pointing out the fridge return is on the notorious centre pin 7 you might be close to identifying Edwards problem!
Edward,
First that centre pin identified by Roger has a history of poor continuity as it becomes loose because it serves to guide aligning the plug into the socket. Unless your very careful avoid any wiggling assembling or removing the white plug you can loosen the contact of pin 7 that will effect your fridge and often leads to burning of the pin itself.
Secondly it would be prudent to check your vehicle has pin 7 earthed.
Clearly neither of these are a consequence of having the ATC., however are worth investigating.
I stand corrected; should have looked at post 1998 wiring diag.
However pointing out the fridge return is on the notorious centre pin 7 you might be close to identifying Edwards problem!
Edward,
First that centre pin identified by Roger has a history of poor continuity as it becomes loose because it serves to guide aligning the plug into the socket. Unless your very careful avoid any wiggling assembling or removing the white plug you can loosen the contact of pin 7 that will effect your fridge and often leads to burning of the pin itself.
Secondly it would be prudent to check your vehicle has pin 7 earthed.
Clearly neither of these are a consequence of having the ATC., however are worth investigating.
So does the grey plug have to be connected for the ATC to work?
I'm due to collect a new van soon and was intending to use only the black socket on the car with a 7-13 converter. In that case the ATC wouldn't work??
Bryan
I'm due to collect a new van soon and was intending to use only the black socket on the car with a 7-13 converter. In that case the ATC wouldn't work??
Bryan
Yes Ray the grey socket has to be connected for the ATC to work. The ATC is a brilliant peice of kit. Thanks.
The ATC is powered either by the Grey/white 7 pin socket or the 13 pin socket, depending on the vehicle in question.
If your vehicle has only a black socket and your van has a 13 pin plug the ATC will not be active even with an adaptor. You can however tow but without benefiting from having the ATC.
Note: if you are having the ATC then its supply within your vehicle needs to have adequate wiring and be fused for 20 Amps, not the 15 that seems to be the norm in my limited experience.
If your vehicle has only a black socket and your van has a 13 pin plug the ATC will not be active even with an adaptor. You can however tow but without benefiting from having the ATC.
Note: if you are having the ATC then its supply within your vehicle needs to have adequate wiring and be fused for 20 Amps, not the 15 that seems to be the norm in my limited experience.
Facebook
Twitter