Good morning again. Thanks to all who responded to my last post about roll-back when the wheel chock is removed. Most kind and helpful.

I have an Eriba Triton BSA 1998 which is fitted with a 13 point electrical connection. My car - an Audi A3 (2-litre, 170BHP) - has a 7-point socket on the back (OK for the garden trailer). I am able to insert the caravan socket into this plug but the resulting connection supplies power to the caravan external lights only. There is no supply to the caravan fridge (which means we currently use an in-car 12v cool-box). We would however prefer to be able to run the fridge whilst towing the caravan.

I have seen sundry 7-to-13 adapters here in France but being a bit of a novice in matters electrical I remain a bit confused. A local car-part shop told me the car needed to be re-wired to permit the installation of a 13 point plug on the back. This was going to cost around 400 euros (!!). I declined their kind offer.

They did add that it was 'not possible' to run all the caravan systems off a 7-point plug.

I wonder if there is a definitive answer to this which obviates the 'need' to re-wire - or do I have to bite the bullet and cough up?

Any advice will be most gratefully received.

Many thanks

Zitat

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They did add that it was 'not possible' to run all the caravan systems off a 7-point plug.

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And they are correct the fridge in particular uses a fair bit of power on 12 volt so the power comes from the car alternator ........no 7 to 13 pin adaptor can do that so if you want everything to work it does mean a rewire to the towbar.

sorry

They were correct in saying you can not run run all the systems from a 7 pin plug.
You will need to have a second 7pin socket fitted and wired alongside your current one or convert the car socket to full 13 pin electrics.
400 euros sounds way too expensive so shop around.

Hope that helps
Martin

Thank you all so much - very helpful.

I will consult the MD to see if she is happy to continue with the cool-box! I agree with what Pepe Le Pew says re Audi dealers whose prices are eye-wateringly expensive. I'll ask around the locals to see where I
can get a better quote, then we can choose.

Cheers everyone.

Back in the 1970's, before 13 pin sockets were introduced, we all had 7 pin sockets. I got a caravan which had a fridge , and had an extra socket fitted just for the fridge. It was quite small, alongside the 7 pin socket, with a push in smallish round plug to push in. The single wire to this socket was very thick copper, may have been about 25mm. cross section ( could have been thicker) run from a relay, so the engine needed to be running for it to work. It really worked well. My point is, if they could do it then, why not now ? .............this has possibly been superceeded by a further 7 pin socket running both fridge, and battery charging. Ian.