WIRING A 12S SOCKET

[davidinfrance]

I have a folding camper for which the electrics are similar to that of a caravan. My car has the normal 12N and 12S sockets.

On collecting my camper in Manchester, recently, I found that the 12N didn't work - a loose connection as it turned out. The auto-electrician fixed this and checked the 12S socket for me only to find that this had been wired incorrectly. It was connected to the wiring for the car's rear lights and wouldn't therefore have enough power to charge the auxillary battery and also the fridge whilst towing.

He recommended that the 12S take its power directly from the battery via a relay (to separate the car and camper batteries when the car ignition is switched off). This I understand is normal wiring in the UK. I live in France.

Unfortunately due to having a ferry to catch I didn't have the time to have him rewire this socket.

Now back in France I can't find anyone able to do this as the French no longer use 12N and 12S but use a 14-pin socket.

I'm not able to do this myself as I'm working overseas until July/August. My wife would like to use the camper in my absence.

QUESTION: Can anyone provide a wiring diagram showing the connection to the battery, the relay (what relay do I need?)and to the socket, please?

Thanks and best wishes,

Dave.

 

[rob_jax]

Hi David,

The internet has loads of web-sites showing the 12S wiring, for instance our Eriba site has the diagrams on http://www.eriba-amiga.co.uk/otr_towbar.html

There are two possible connection schemes for the 12S socket, one for older cars and caravans, and one for new cars and caravans - pick the right one!

Your auto electrician should be able to work out how to run a pair of 20 amp wires from the battery to the 12S socket, and a pair of 20 amp return wires to the chassis.

The 13 pin ISO 11446 connector that you mentioned is a much, much better connector than the old 12N+S standard. If you intend to keep the car and trailer for longer than a year or two, I'd be tempted to have the car and caravan onnectors changed over.

Robert

 

[rob_jax]

And the 12S socket carries one rear light connection that isn't (wasn't) part of the 12N specification - the reversing light - and how long have cars had reversing lights?

All the other connections provide power and dedicated returns for the trailer battery and fridge circuits.

Robert

 

[milliemop]

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