Potential fault on 12s socket - Help!!

[Magnus_5122323]

Hi All

As a new caravanner I am looking for some advice on the operation of the 12s socket on my car. I recently plugged in the 12s lead on the caravan for the first time and found that the fridge would not work on 12v (no light red light appearing on fridge switch marked battery. I have checked the fuses in the car and I think they are okay. I have also cleaned the terminals on the socket and went to test them with a multimeter but was unbale to get a reading on them. Does the caravan need to be plugged into the 12s to allow voltage to pass?.

Also is there any way I can check if I am getting the voltage inside the van?.

Any quick help on the subject gratefully recived because we are going away again at the end of next week and really need it working.

Thanks All

Magnus

 

[Damian]

Magnus, the 12 volt supply to the fridge will only work when the 12s plug is connected to the car, and the engine is running.

Quick way of testing, plug the van into the car, start it up and check the light on the fridge when set to 12v operation.

Before going away, pre col the fridge on electric , or gas, as the 12v side will only maintain the temp, not reduce it significanly.

 

[Damian]

Magnus, the 12 volt supply to the fridge will only work when the 12s plug is connected to the car, and the engine is running.

Quick way of testing, plug the van into the car, start it up and check the light on the fridge when set to 12v operation.

Before going away, pre col the fridge on electric , or gas, as the 12v side will only maintain the temp, not reduce it significanly.

oops,that should read "cool"

 

[lunar2000]

Magnus,

The only way I can help you with your problem is to direct you to the following link:

www.swift-owners-club.com/soc1/tips/12nschanges.html

Which has the old, and new wireing diagrams for caravan electrics. Hope this helps as some times pictures speak a thousand words,

regards,

Pop.

 

[Magnus_5122323]

Magnus,

The only way I can help you with your problem is to direct you to the following link:

www.swift-owners-club.com/soc1/tips/12nschanges.html

Which has the old, and new wireing diagrams for caravan electrics. Hope this helps as some times pictures speak a thousand words,

regards,

Pop.

Thanks guys

 

[Magnus_5122323]

Should I be able to read 12 volts on any of the pins in the socket when the car is running and if so which pins?

Magnus

 

[rayc]

Magnus, The fridge supply should be +ve on pin 6 and -ve on pin 7 unless pre 2001? [please check], when it should be + on pin 6 and - on pin 3. Voltage should only be present when engine is running. only with engine running.

 

[WatsonJohnG]

It depends on the type of relay used.

If its avoltage sensing type then it will only work when the engine is running at high enough revs.

If its the older mechanicl relay(which I prefer) then it depends on the power source used to trigger the relay.

If its off the alternator then the same applies as above but if an ignition controlled source is used such as a cigar socket then it will be triggered when the ignition is turned on.

The power still comes direct from the battery/alternator in both cases .

 

[Magnus_5122323]

Hi

I have checked all the electrics inside the van and I am prettu sure the problem lies with the car. Does anybody know where the supply is taken from as I don't really want to rip the car apart trying to trace the cables. Are there any fuses in the system other than the main car fuse box?

 

[WatsonJohnG]

It depends on who/how the supply has been wired up

Its usual to connect direct to the cat battery and put a fuse close to the battery

Have you tried checking the 12S socket with a meter?

 

[Magnus_5122323]

Hi

Yes I have checked the socket with a multimeter and even with the car engine running I am getting no voltage on any of the pins. I have checked the handbook for my caravan and as far as I can see I dont think the fridge is meant to work off the caravan battery but should work off the car battery when the 12s socket is connected. I think taht there may be a fault somewhere in the car so I am on the hunt for someone with a 12s socket fitted to there car to try on my caravan. I am planning to change the car soon and the towbar will be going with it so I hope to get the next car fitted with a new towbar and a working 12s socket.

 

[RogerL]

Caravan fridges need about 24 hours to cool right down. The 12v operation from the car has the same power, about 100w, as gas or mains electric so will cool down just as effectively, sometimes more so as there's no 12v thermostat, but few journeys are long enough to cool the fridge down completely.

We run the fridge on 230v for 24 hours before loading chilled food and drinks, that way it all remains chilled.

 

[Magnus_5122323]

Hi Roger

We have a son who has an eating disorder and we need to carry frozen food for him so it's more the freezer box which we need to keep running in order to keep his food frozen until we arrive at out destination.

 

[WatsonJohnG]

Magnus

If you are getting nothing on any pins either you are not testing properly(unlikely!) or the main feed/fuse from the car battery is at fault or the earths to the 12S are not right.

You should have permanent live on pin 4 green so if you put your tester between pin 4 and the a car body earth pin that will tell you if the 12V at pin 4 and/or the earth is good or at fault.

You could also check the earth on pins 3 and 7(fridge return)for continuity to a goog earth point on the car body.

Finally double check any scotchlocks in the wiring.

For the fridge to work on tow you need 12V on pin 6(red) and earth on pin 7(black) and the cable used needs to be heavy enough.

Later fridges also need a permanent 12v from the caravan battery that is not affected by the habitation relay as well

Good luck

www.towitall.co.uk

 

[Magnus_5122323]

Thanks for the advice john I will have another go at teting the socket as I may have overlooked something but it will have to wait until next week as we are leaving tonight for 3 nights.

Thanks again

Magnus