Non-standard use of 12N

[Rod_374560761]

Hi,

New to the forum and new to caravanning...

I've just bought a La Mancelle caravan and I'm scratching my head over the wiring. It had a 13-pin socket, but my car has a 12N 7-pin, so I'm trying to fit a 12N plug.

First thing I notice is that the caravan has only one side light, and the missing side has no bulb, nor wiring, and no evidence that there's ever been.

But the equivalent wire in the connector (brown) is quite chunky, and when I connect a 12v source to it, there's a click like a relay inside the wardrobe.

La Mancelle sent me a rudimentary wiring diagram, and for this wire, it shows "12V continuous" from pin-2. But then it shows that pin-7 is both the fog light and LH side light, so I don't necessarily trust this document.

Does any of this sound familiar? The caravan doesn't have a leisure battery so it makes some sense to have a supply for the fridge during the journey, but it seems like they're fiddling with the 12N standard.

Help!

 

[Damian]

I expect the part which you say you think is a sidelight only on one side is in fact the fog light, and being continental it will be on the nearside, which is not legal in the UK, it has to be offside.

You will have to source a bulb holder to fit the blanked off light and run a wire across from the original fog light, then you have two, which is even better.

If you go here:http://www.sargentltd.co.uk/ISO11446_Data.pdf

it will give you the 13 pin setup, only the first 7 pins are used in the 12N plug and in the same pin order as the 13 pin

 

[Damian]

Forgot to say, as the fridge supply is on the 12S, it cannot be taken from the 12N as it requires its own heavy duty positive and negative cables due to the current draw.

 

[Rod_374560761]

Thanks for the reply.

Actually, I live in France, and since the missing light is on the offside here, it does make sense that it's a single fog light.

But as mentioned, the La Mancelle 12N diagram shows '12v Continuous" from Pin-2, and the brown wire is much more substantial than the others.

When I connect 12V to this wire there's a relay type 'clunk' inside the wardrobe. The box is entitled "Transformateur" which I assume to be a transformer. It seems to provide 12v from the mains hookup. I suppose the relay might be to switch from one supply to the other.

But doesn't this suggest that this brown wire is for the fridge and that La Mancelle are playing fast and loose with the 12N standard?

BTW, what would be the point of the transformer? If I have a mains hookup, why would I need a 12V supply?

Thanks.

 

[Lutz]

Thanks for the reply.

Actually, I live in France, and since the missing light is on the offside here, it does make sense that it's a single fog light.

But as mentioned, the La Mancelle 12N diagram shows '12v Continuous" from Pin-2, and the brown wire is much more substantial than the others.

When I connect 12V to this wire there's a relay type 'clunk' inside the wardrobe. The box is entitled "Transformateur" which I assume to be a transformer. It seems to provide 12v from the mains hookup. I suppose the relay might be to switch from one supply to the other.

But doesn't this suggest that this brown wire is for the fridge and that La Mancelle are playing fast and loose with the 12N standard?

BTW, what would be the point of the transformer? If I have a mains hookup, why would I need a 12V supply?

Thanks.

Most Continental caravans have 12v lighting even though they don't have a battery. Hence, the need for a transformer.

 

[John_374585162]

Most Continental caravans have 12v lighting even though they don't have a battery. Hence, the need for a transformer.

Hi Just got a Hymer (France) Eriba Puck L supposed UK spec. Last owner had only single electrics.

Fog light is in the correct RHS position on caravan but not working.

Strange that when I turn on Rear Fog on car the reversing light at UK nearside, LHS comes on. The opposite not happening car reverse is connected to Yellow 1 on 12S.

Regards