Caravan Electrics

[gordon_374330937]

Hi,

Getting all sort of messages about 12S pin 4 electrics from supposed trade experts. Some say that you should not run your caravan lights off the car with the ignition off, some say the system is designed not to allow you to take power from your car except when the engine is running.Whats the correct answer/

If I have a flat caravan battery is there anything stoppimg me from disconnecting the leisure battery connect the caravan battery leads to a 12s extension lead pin 4 live and pin3 earth thus fooling the caravan electrics to believing it has a caravan battery in the circuit and hence internal lights etc as I believe on my system (Lunar Chateau) all the electrics go thro the control box which does not allow the 12s pin 4 and 3 to power the caravan lights. Everything else works fridge etc when engine is running except the caravan lights still work when the car engine is running and I understand they should not work when engine is running. Any advice gratefully received. Gordon

 

[WatsonJohnG]

Hi Gordon

Its not a matter of you should not run the van interior lights when the car engine is running so much as you can't run the interior lights on post 1998 vans

This is because the caravan has a built in habitation relay that switches off the van intrerior lights when on tow

If your car is wired correctly pin4 green should be the permanent live ( this changes to battery charging when the engine is running)and pin 3 is the earth for everything except the fridge which is now on pin 7

You shoul be able to operate the van lights as you want to if the engine is not running(ignition off)

The system is not designed to allow you to draw power from the car to the fridge unless the car engine/alternator is running because the fridge draws a high current which would soon flatten the car battery but you should be able to operate the interior lights as stated above

Hope that helps

Have a look at F A Q on

www.towitall.co.uk

 

[WatsonJohnG]

Hi Gordon

Its not a matter of you should not run the van interior lights when the car engine is running so much as you can't run the interior lights on post 1998 vans

This is because the caravan has a built in habitation relay that switches off the van intrerior lights when on tow

If your car is wired correctly pin4 green should be the permanent live ( this changes to battery charging when the engine is running)and pin 3 is the earth for everything except the fridge which is now on pin 7

You shoul be able to operate the van lights as you want to if the engine is not running(ignition off)

The system is not designed to allow you to draw power from the car to the fridge unless the car engine/alternator is running because the fridge draws a high current which would soon flatten the car battery but you should be able to operate the interior lights as stated above

Hope that helps

Have a look at F A Q on

www.towitall.co.uk

Also look at wiring diagrams

 

[gordon_374330937]

Hi Gordon

Its not a matter of you should not run the van interior lights when the car engine is running so much as you can't run the interior lights on post 1998 vans

This is because the caravan has a built in habitation relay that switches off the van intrerior lights when on tow

If your car is wired correctly pin4 green should be the permanent live ( this changes to battery charging when the engine is running)and pin 3 is the earth for everything except the fridge which is now on pin 7

You shoul be able to operate the van lights as you want to if the engine is not running(ignition off)

The system is not designed to allow you to draw power from the car to the fridge unless the car engine/alternator is running because the fridge draws a high current which would soon flatten the car battery but you should be able to operate the interior lights as stated above

Hope that helps

Have a look at F A Q on

www.towitall.co.uk

John,

Thanks, yes I have permanent live at pin 4 and earth at pin 3 and this clicks into charging mode for the leisure battery when the car is running. However I am not convinced with the ignition off and the 12s connected that the caravan internal lights are powered by the car, cos if with 12s connected I disconnect the caravan leisure battery the caravan internal lights go out. Also it appears then the caravan is wired odly or the habitation relay is not working as I can have the caravan lights on while travelling with the 12s connected. The caravan is 2006 so being its manufactured in Belgium I think, then maybe the wiring is slightly different, althouth they are produced for Lunar for the UK market. Any comments/advice welcome!! regards Gordon

 

[Stephen_374341239]

John,

Thanks, yes I have permanent live at pin 4 and earth at pin 3 and this clicks into charging mode for the leisure battery when the car is running. However I am not convinced with the ignition off and the 12s connected that the caravan internal lights are powered by the car, cos if with 12s connected I disconnect the caravan leisure battery the caravan internal lights go out. Also it appears then the caravan is wired odly or the habitation relay is not working as I can have the caravan lights on while travelling with the 12s connected. The caravan is 2006 so being its manufactured in Belgium I think, then maybe the wiring is slightly different, althouth they are produced for Lunar for the UK market. Any comments/advice welcome!! regards Gordon

Hi Gordon

I had a French pop up caravan. Its wiring was very very basic.

12s plug had only 3 wires Green Red Black.

Green as power from car to caravan powered lighting,water pump, and went to pos terminal on caravan battery.

Red was feed to fridge only.

Black was Return earth for every thing.

No relays.

I changed the wiring on this van to having two relays one for fridge and the other to caravan appliances.

I got this info from Hayes Caravan Manual 3rd Edition Page 89 European standard EN 1648-1.All the parts from E Bay.

Hope this help in some way.

PS I do find that we in GB seem to have to apply to all the rules coming out of the EU but evry body else just do as thay like?seem to be getting bad deal here.

All the Best Stephen

 

[WatsonJohnG]

Hi Gordon that sounds odd

I would ask the dealer if there is any difference in the van spec

If not it sounds like a faulty habitation relay

Again it should be down to the dealer and a warranty issue

Good luck

 

[gordon_374330937]

Hi Gordon that sounds odd

I would ask the dealer if there is any difference in the van spec

If not it sounds like a faulty habitation relay

Again it should be down to the dealer and a warranty issue

Good luck

John,

Thanks going for a service soon see if they can shed any light on it.