Wiring up 12N and 12S sockets

[Netti_374307085]

First off - I am trying to find white covers for the above but without sucess. Has anyone seen any?

The other alternative I'm looking at is changing the actual sockets to ones with white covers. Not common either but they seem to be available. Trouble is it only seems to be the socket they're selling, no wiring with it. Is it a simple job to wire in the socket to a length of cable?

Finally, how is the 12S socket physically wired to the car. I assume as it needs to draw current from the battery that it will need a fair old bit of cabling. I won't be doing it myself, have an auto electrician coming to do it but am just curious how and where it will end up on the car.

 

[RogerL]

The standard colours are black for 12N, grey or white for 12S.

The pin/tube arrangement is different in 12N and 12S plugs/sockets to prevent wrong connection.

The 12S wiring will need one heavy-duty cable (2.5mm2) running from the car battery to the fridge connection on the 12S socket, via a split charge relay - if the split-charge relay is in the engine compartment a second heavy duty cable (2.5mm2) will be need to power the permanent 12v supply - if a smart relay is used it's usually positioned near the 12S socket and is best wired with a very heavy duty cable (5.0mm2) because it powers fridge and battery supply.

 

[Gareth111278]

I take it you want white sockets so they match the car? IF you find some the innards MIGHT come out with a twist after releasing a clip.

Why not get a pair of standard new sockets and spray them? You can get plastic primer from Halfords easy enough. BUT How will you tell them apart?

If you buy a charge-com relay there's instructions with it, hardest part is running two cables [one heavy one light] from the front to the back of the car!

Gareth

 

[Netti_374307085]

Thanks for that, very informative. What is this smart relay? I was planning to go with the split charge relay as it was the only thing I'd heard of, but you're saying I would require an additional cable for this? In addition to that sometimes supplied with the 12S socket?

And yes, I should have been clearer, I'd like them both white to match the car. Trying to disguise the tow bar as far as possible. I have a couple of old sockets in the garage I might try spraying first, see how they come out with the plastic paint. Only problem I can see with that is how to keep the little hinge open on the sockets so it doesn't seal shut as it dries. Will be able to tell them apart as I'll put 12N on the top and 12S below it.

 

[RogerL]

Don't be ashamed of being a tugger!

It used to be possible to buy covers for the sockets (but I never saw white) you might be able to spray these.

A split-charge relay relies on a signal from the ignition-switch side of the wiring to enable current to pass to th caravan fridge. A smart relay is permanently enabled but detects voltage of 13v+ when the engine is running, simplifying the wiring.

 

[Gareth111278]

Netti, Just to be clear, its Either a smart relay OR a split charge relay.

They basicly do the same job in two ways , both require cable to be run the length of the car, unless your battery is in the boot that is!

Gareth