12s Socket Wiring

[Thicko]

I am looking to buy a caravan. My Galaxy has a towbar with single (12N) wiring using a 7 channel relay from pct-automotive which wires into the cigar lighter socket at the rear. I was planning to wire a 12s system myself. I was wondering does anyone know if I am able to wire the 12S into the cigar lighter socket or would it draw off too much current and blow the fuse? Do I need a new wire running from the battery? Thanks.

[tim-spam]

I've run a new fused wire directly from the battery via a dual relay to the 12S socket, as this is the safest way of ensuring that the caravan fridge and battery get an adequate electrical supply. Hope this helps.

[Sher]

I wired to the back of the Cigar lighter socket 4 years ago and I have not overloaded the system/had a fuse blow yet.

 

If it did then I had decided to wire to the Auxiliary Battery position under the passenger seat.

 

I did use a clever dual relay(expensive) from Towsure which switches off the supply to the caravan after predetermined times and when the starter draws current.

[springen]

I've started wiring up my 12S socket. I also bought the kit from Towsure. I've routed the relay through the car to the engine bay near the battery. There is an easy to find round rubber gromet to route the cables through located below the glove box. My only problem is that along with the +ve lead and -ve leads, I also require an ignition controlled positive feed for the relay. Can anybody think of a suitable ignition controlled cable under the bonnet that I could attach this to ?

[Guest Cepheus]

Wiper motor should have a switchable live to it. Nicely hidden near the bulkhead too. In work at the mo and don't have TIS to hand to find out which wire it is though sorry :rolleyes:

 

Alternatively, dipped beam headlight wiring will have a switchable live too.

[tim-spam]

Ideally, you should take the feed to actuate the relay that is only live when the engine is running - the feed to the altenator warning light is often used for this. The reason is to ensure that the caravan battery is not connected when operating the starter - this can cause excessive current to be drawn through the caravan battery charging wiring and the fuse to blow. A good alternative is to use a 'smart' voltage sensing relay.

[springen]

Thanks for the tips. I thought that most circuits were temporarily 'disabled' when the starter motor is turning - certainly the headlights are turned off when the starter turns I believe.

 

I did think about the wipers or headlights, but thought they would only be live when they were switched on ?? The ignition feed would go to the relay/fuse box inside the car - wouldn't it ??

 

I'll have another look when I get a chance - busy decorating at the moment.

[springen]

Sorted - There is a bunch of cables in a hard plastic black sleeving running along the inner wing by the battery - they disappear under the bonnet alarm switch. Inside you will find a black wire with blue tracer - this can be used as an ignition feed for the relay. :16:

[Simon W]

I do believe the is a cable you can get which splits the supply....

 

Ive seen then on ebay..

 

Si

[cos140]

HI there,

 

I know this topic is regarding the 12S socket, but i just require some info for the wiring of the 12N socket if poss.

 

I have fitted a towbar on my 2002 Galaxy and just require the 12N socket. Should i buy the special wiring kit which plugs in or will my Galaxy not have this socket as i have looked for it but unable to locate it !!!!

 

Or am i best just using the 12N socket i have already and just scotch locking them in to existing wiring? Dont really like them things as i have found they usually give poor connections after time.

 

Hope someone can help

 

Best regards

 

Justin

[Charlie]

The genuine ford wiring kit works by unplugging the loom from both back light clusters and there are also some sockets right down at the bottom under the right rear light cluster which unplug. The tow bar loom then plugs into these sockets creating a loop through for your towing socket

 

The 12n socket is also pre-wired and plugs straight into the loom

 

It

[tim-spam]

The latest genuine VAG 12N harness does not require the extra warning light to be activated - in fact, the instructions specifically say not to do this. There is a C2 module in the harness that looks after the indicator function. Basically, when the trailer plug is connected, all indicators are monitored in the same way as for the car alone - ie: should any indicator on car or trailer fail, the flash rate is doubled.

[Charlie]

The latest genuine VAG 12N harness does not require the extra warning light to be activated - in fact, the instructions specifically say not to do this. There is a C2 module in the harness that looks after the indicator function. Basically, when the trailer plug is connected, all indicators are monitored in the same way as for the car alone - ie: should any indicator on car or trailer fail, the flash rate is doubled.

Tim-spam

Is this for later galaxys? the 12N loom i've just fitted (Genuine Ford) to a 2003 galaxy still required the light activating as per the instructions supplied with the kit

[tim-spam]

The 12N harness on my Alhambra was listed for the 2000 and later Sharan, Alhambra and Galaxy. It came equipped with a C2 module which is tied to the harness in the nearside rear cubby hole. If it has a C2 module, the extra warning light should not be enabled.

[Charlie]

There must be more than one type genuine wiring kit available for the tow bar wiring as mine doesn

[mk2sport]

Hi.

Ive just finished fitting my tow bar and electrics.

Ive cut into the wiring and soldered in the relay box for the trailer electrics.

Dont just splice in (scotch locks) for your trailer. The original wiring is not up to taking the extra load. Also by law,you have to have the audible warning when indicating.

It took me a couple of hours, tracing wiring,splicing and refitting. But good job done.

Mine is fitted in o/s/r cubby hole. I had to run 2 core cable over to n/s , but not a hard job.I also wired mine up to aux power sockett using a 15 amp inline fuse as detailed.

the tell tale works A1 on the dash too.

 

Good luck.

[Charlie]

If the "Visual dash warning light" works in conjunction with your trailer/caravan indicators, there is no need for "Audible warning buzzer"

 

By law you only need one or the other

[tim-spam]

...or a C2 module. With this, there is no need for either a buzzer or a warning light, as the trailer indicator function is monitored in exactly the same way as the car's own indicators - ie: if any indicator fails, the flash rate is doubled.

 

By the way, the genuine wiring harness that includes the 12S wiring is interesting - when I looked, the 12N seemed to be all that was available (perhaps I should have looked a bit harder), so I wired the 12S socket myself using a 'smart' dual relay. This meant that I only had to run a single wire from the battery, so was not too difficult.

[Charlie]

I spotted the 12n/12s harness when I was pricing the 12n harness at Fords, When I found out it was available I bought it via an online ford parts company (cheaper)

 

The kit is very flexible for the different type of setup that a customer may require, i.e. change in fridge wiring for newer caravans etc...

The socket is not pre-wired for this propose

 

You still require a relay of your choice, I also used a smart relay (doing away with the need for the ignition feed). There's a cable provided at the end of loom in the left-hand side where the relay connects, 12v supply is required from the battery, another 12v supply is picked up from the boot socket for the 12v permanent (pin 4)

[davec]

Question for tim spam,have you got a part number and price for harness with C2 module,the buzzer drives my grandson mad in the back and I cant find anyone with VAGCOM to activate light,this sounds ideal

[tim-spam]

I'm afraid I haven't, as mine was supplied by Brink with the towbar - it came in a VW bag. You could try contacting Brink as they may be able to help. Edited August 12, 2007 by tim-spam

[Marshman]

Hi.

Ive just finished fitting my tow bar and electrics.

Ive cut into the wiring and soldered in the relay box for the trailer electrics.

Dont just splice in (scotch locks) for your trailer. The original wiring is not up to taking the extra load. Also by law,you have to have the audible warning when indicating.

It took me a couple of hours, tracing wiring,splicing and refitting. But good job done.

Mine is fitted in o/s/r cubby hole. I had to run 2 core cable over to n/s , but not a hard job.I also wired mine up to aux power sockett using a 15 amp inline fuse as detailed.

the tell tale works A1 on the dash too.

 

Good luck.

 

Quick question from a newcomer. Recently purchased a 2001 Galaxy 2.3 Zetec and wondered where the best place to get the tow bar and electrics from? I have also heard that with some tow bars, you may be asked to cut part of the bumper away?

 

Any suggestions or recommendations greatly appreciated?

 

Thanks in advance!

[Charlie]

Have a look at witter towbars, they don't require a bumper cut.

 

Does your car have parking sensors, if so the cheaper flange type towbar may interfere with them.

 

I

[AndeeeH]

Towsure have a good reputation for supplying and fitting towbars. They can usually supply several different types; flange, removeable etc for each vehicle. ;) Andy.

 

http://www.towsure.com/bespoke/towbars.html

[Marshman]

Thanks Charlie and Andy for your responses,

 

The car does has parking sensors, is it best to go for the removalable ones or does that cause other problems?