volvo tow bar electrics not compatible with Alko ATC?

[Rentagas]

Just gone from a twin 7 pin set up on my Citroen to a 13 pin DIN plug on my new Volvo (XC90 D5) and the ATC doesn't work

Dealer (Sturges Leicester) says the volvo kit doesn't power the pin that the ATC draws power from-to power this will be chargeable. Can this be true?
The ALKO engineer says the ATC draws power from the caravan auxillary supply that also powers the fridge and should be connected as standard.

Anyone had anything similar?

[SKH]

When I bought my car, I gave the dealer a diagram of what pins did what on the 13 pin socket & insisted they connect it up as I wanted it (there was some confusion about supplies for the fridge on 13 pin systems).

At that time I didnt have ATC but my latest caravan has and it all works with no problem. I believe that the ATC system needs a 20A supply which is high so it must be connected properly.

I simply dont believe the XC90 cant do this as 'standard' & I would have another go at the dealer if I were you.

[Rentagas]

My understanding is that the ACT takes up to 15A from pin 9 of the 13pin socket using pin 13 as an earth. The fridge takes power from pin 10 with an earth as pin 11.

According to the Volvo tow bar fitting instructions available as a PDF elsewhere in this site only pins 11 and 12 are not connected. I assume the fridge can use an alternative earth.

In the PDF they give a diagram to check pin function which includes pins 9 & 10. I suppose there may be a seperateloom for single supplies for trailers and this could be the problem but I really don't understand why they can't fit to the ISO standard or indeed there own installation manual.

[Clan]

volvo specification tow bar wiring has never wired up the fridge . So if you need the fridge powered when on the move you need to ask them to do so ...

[Rentagas]

I can see there is a gulf between what Volvo want to do and what their customers should reasonably expect them to do.

If a customer pays £600 for Volvo to install a 13 pin connector and tow bar for a caravan then they might expect them to do so.

Even if historically there was no ignition switched power "fridge" (pin 10) there is now a good reason to do so PLUS it is now part of the ISO standard. To be more exact, Volvo do install a pin 10 as part of the dealer fit- just no return which should use pin 11.

A modern caravan NEEDS switched power at pins 10 and 11 for the fridge and charging/lighting relay and permanent power at 9 and 13 for charging itself.

Volvo with it's presence at caravan shows plugs the towing ability of it's cars and in particular the tow assist fitted to the xc60 if it can't get the basics right of fitting essential power supplies for caravans then it's all a bit pointless.

[Thingy]

volvo specification tow bar wiring has never wired up the fridge . So if you need the fridge powered when on the move you need to ask them to do so ...
__________________

Not so sure I agree with that. Had a towbar (volvo) fitted in November, 13 pin system and fridge works perfectly.

[outnumbered]

there should be power to the atc all the time and not on ignition, i have a 13 pin volvo towbar and electrics and it works fine after i had to hook up pin 9 as it was not live at the cars wiring multiplug.
mike

[Rentagas]

Originally Posted by outnumbered

there should be power to the atc all the time and not on ignition, i have a 13 pin volvo towbar and electrics and it works fine after i had to hook up pin 9 as it was not live at the cars wiring multiplug.
mike

Absolutely. Pin 9 should be live all the time, pin 10 comes on with the engine. Pin 9 should be connected according to the volvo fitting instructions.

[Westyman]

In my experience dealers are not wholly clued up on towing electrics, I have always used a specialist after it got beyond bolts and Scotchlocks.....

[UKTech]

Does anyone know if there is anywhere to get the various towing wiring diagrams for different Volvos?
Guess it would be a good idea to chat this problem over to everyones advantage.

UKTech