I have a Lunar Zenith 6 (2005) which i tow with a VW Passat Highline Estate 2.0 tdi. The tow car is fitted with a 13s continental socket and the caravan has the 2 seperate "N" & "S" sockets, which i connect with a "Y" adapter.
My problem lies with the battery not charging when connected to the car, I have had the tow bar electrics checked and they seem ok, when the car is connected, you can hear the relays energise in the van.
My understanding was, when the towcar was connected, the relays should disconnect the 12 lighting circuits of the van and activate the charger and the fridge . At the moment neither of these work when connected to the car with the engine running - also the 12v lighting still works with the engine running as well. I have checked what i can but wonder if anyone esle can point me in the right direction as where to look next.
I have had a comment made to me regarding the 13th wire in the continental socket, that it doesnt exist in 3rd party fitted sockets could this bve a problem. - i dont know. I will be very gratefull for any advise that anyone could give me with this matter.
Hi, Are you sure your cars 13 pin electrics is fully wired. VAG group cars VW Audi & Skoda pre 2009 dont have the wiring on the cars side of the socket as the Germans dont have 12v fridges or charging on the move. There is a pin which supplies the relays in the van which is 12v from the car but that doesnt feed the fridge. My 2007 Skoda Octavias factory fit 13 pin socket has the 3 brass bits missing from the 3 relevant holes for fridge / battery charge & earth, they just dont exist. I'd have a look on a VW forum.
My Passat didnt come with the towbar and electrics factory fitted, it is a company car , so i had to pay for it fitting seperately. The towbar was fitted by Armitages Trailers at Ferrybridge, I have used these fitters for the last 15 years and not had a problem, the system does use a multiples relay but is not connected to the VEG system of the car, it runs independant.
Interesting about your 13th pin comment.. THIS wiring data says pin 13 is the earth return for pin 9 so it could have a bearing on things, theres another diagram HERE which says the fridge is on pins 10 and 11, so if your socket is working and wired correctly the fridge should be working once the relays connect the power... It would be interesting if you had the chance to try your car with a mates van, and a mates car with your van to confirm if it is the van or the car to blame.
I gave up with mine in the end after discovering that the newer modified car loom which includes all 13 pins was over £100. We just cant use the fridge whilst towing, so we use a 12v cool box in the car instead. No big deal really. But I hope you get yours sorted !
On the mention of missing connection, i meant not all 13 pins are connected, its pin 12 that is ommited, looking at the diagrams, this relates to vehicle chassis earth, which would lead to no charge getting to the battery, Going to contact towbar fitters again and get them to install pin 12.
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Topic: Lunar Zenith 6 Charging Problem
