Alko ATC - Questions

[Damian]

Quote " This cabling is near to the main gas line from the from the front locker, where there is a cut-out for the gas line to pass through, which is easily large enough to feed the 2 pin connector through into the front locker, where it be safely tie-wrapped to the line out of the way of being snagged, and away from the elements."

The big problem with this "tip" is that you are NOT allowed to have the cable in the gas locker and most certainly NOT attached to the gas pipework !!!!!!!!!!!

 

[chrisn7]

The cables to the running lights are in the gas locker. The ATC cable was already clipped to the gas line under the van. The exposed connector and unsleeved ATC wires pushed into the 13 wire cable clip were far more likely to be a source of electrical shorts than now. There is a massive drop vent in the gas locker.

 

[ProfJohnL]

The cables to the running lights are in the gas locker. The ATC cable was already clipped to the gas line under the van. The exposed connector and unsleeved ATC wires pushed into the 13 wire cable clip were far more likely to be a source of electrical shorts than now. There is a massive drop vent in the gas locker.

Hello Chrisn,

I doesn't matter what has happened before, I believe the current regulations are quite specific, and any new works carried out on an old system must comply. It could well be the case with a secondhand caravan that a previous owner has carried out works which did not comply with current regulations.

 

[JTQ]

Whilst not good practice and not something I would do are there actually "regulations" and laws that you are "NOT allowed" or are we talking only about an industry code of practice here?

 

[00buzz]

ours kicks in routinely when negotiating 'mini' roundabouts, having not come to complete stop. this would seem to indicate that 'pitch' has a significant impact on its operation.......

May I ask what indicators you have in you car to tell you the ATC is activating routinely, light/buzzer? If nothing, could it be you are feeling the overrun brakes and/or geometry of the outfit pushing on tight corners?

it feels like someone is pulling the car back as you try and accelerate.....only lasts a few seconds

 

[Damian]

Whilst not good practice and not something I would do are there actually "regulations" and laws that you are "NOT allowed" or are we talking only about an industry code of practice here?

Gas Safety Installation and Use Regulations

 

[JTQ]

ours kicks in routinely when negotiating 'mini' roundabouts, having not come to complete stop. this would seem to indicate that 'pitch' has a significant impact on its operation.......

May I ask what indicators you have in you car to tell you the ATC is activating routinely, light/buzzer? If nothing, could it be you are feeling the overrun brakes and/or geometry of the outfit pushing on tight corners?

it feels like someone is pulling the car back as you try and accelerate.....only lasts a few seconds

Mine reacts just as described and I personally find this minor level of intervention very reassuring; it is "working".
Its "unnecessary" intervention at these slow speeds, low energy cases could be avoided if the unit had a speed term introduced into its algorithum, but that needs a speed sensor and clearly with that an increase in its complexity. I feel AL-KO's decision to do just the amount needed to cure the snake issue it is designed to do is the right one, keeping its complexity down to a level where many more can afford it.

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hello JTQ,

I totally agree with you.
The issue was raised because of the way some contributors have reported it as if they have come to rely on ATC to enable them to tow safely. This suggests the outfit is not properly loaded or being driven sensibly. ATC is not designed to make an unstable outfit towable.

 

[chrisn7]

Thanks Prof. The 'new' works did not add or subtract any cabling or connections- the original cable alone is exactly as it was. The difference is that the spare cable previously dangling under the van is now looped into the gas locker via an existing cut out, along with the single 2 pin connector