I wonder if I'll ever get everything sorted out on this X5 before I die??
I have just fit a P.F. Jones towbar and TOP PRICED WESTFALIA DEDICATED WIRING KIT to my X5 E53.
They sent a cable with additional wiring and relay on for fridge power when travelling.
After the plug and play modules and plugs are in place, they have supplied additional wiring. There is one black and one red wire, each with a ringlet type cable crimp on.
The BLACK wire will bolt on anywhere for the earth.
Does anyone know where this red wire is supposed to couple in?
Does anyone know if this ringed cable crimp is meant to bolt to a specific place in the back of the car for the 12 volt to the fridge relay?
As usual, there is a typed up, altered, photocopied diagram of the wiring procedure but no where does it tell me where to couple in this red, cable crimped wire.
Because of the size or the crimps I would imagine it has been prepared as such for somewhere specific.
Please help !
Not joined yet? Register for free and enjoy features such as alerts, private messaging and viewing latest posts and topics.
Where to Couple in 12v supply for the fridge relay
-
- Member
- Posts: 199
- Joined: Sat Apr 09, 2016 8:01 pm
-
OnlineX5Sport
- Global Moderator
- Posts: 19008
- Joined: Fri Sep 03, 2010 4:09 pm
- Location: Planet X6......
Re: Where to Couple in 12v supply for the fridge relay
Is the fridge circuit unswitched? If so then straight onto the battery (I'm assuming there is a fuse in line) is possibly their plan? If not, then is there a switched 12V line on the rear fuse box with a 15A fuse protecting it?
The other kit P F Jones supply shows a special voltage sensing relay which goes between the battery & pin 10 and is switched by the battery state.
The other kit P F Jones supply shows a special voltage sensing relay which goes between the battery & pin 10 and is switched by the battery state.
Last edited by X5Sport on Thu Jun 02, 2016 4:40 pm, edited 1 time in total.

-
- Member
- Posts: 199
- Joined: Sat Apr 09, 2016 8:01 pm
Re: Where to Couple in 12v supply for the fridge relay
No Bud.....The fridge supply needs to be switched on ONLY when the car ignition is on...otherwise....a stop at the services or Travelodge will flatten the car battery.
I'm trying to find a switched 12v supply in the back of the car that will run the fridge.
Just a bit wary as I've read if 12 volt is drawn from the wrong place it can wreak havoc with the onboard computer??
I'm trying to find a switched 12v supply in the back of the car that will run the fridge.
Just a bit wary as I've read if 12 volt is drawn from the wrong place it can wreak havoc with the onboard computer??
-
- Member
- Posts: 199
- Joined: Sat Apr 09, 2016 8:01 pm
Re: Where to Couple in 12v supply for the fridge relay
Sorted Bud !....Just spoke to a techy who installs this wiring.
The fridge supplies I'm talking about send the power through a " TE3CM" relay.
The red and black wires couple straight across the battery terminals which power the relay up.
This relay monitors battery voltage.
At normal good battery voltage say 12v to 12.5v, the relay does nothing.
When the car starts, the voltage at the battery rises to 14 v ish When the alternator is outputting.
The electronics of this TE3CM relay monitor the battery voltage and detect this rise.
They then instruct the relay to close and send power to the caravan fridge when the car is running.
When the car stops and the battery voltage drops below a 13.4 volt threshold, the relay senses this and drops out, cutting power to the caravan fridge and so not draining the car battery.
Simples !!!
The fridge supplies I'm talking about send the power through a " TE3CM" relay.
The red and black wires couple straight across the battery terminals which power the relay up.
This relay monitors battery voltage.
At normal good battery voltage say 12v to 12.5v, the relay does nothing.
When the car starts, the voltage at the battery rises to 14 v ish When the alternator is outputting.
The electronics of this TE3CM relay monitor the battery voltage and detect this rise.
They then instruct the relay to close and send power to the caravan fridge when the car is running.
When the car stops and the battery voltage drops below a 13.4 volt threshold, the relay senses this and drops out, cutting power to the caravan fridge and so not draining the car battery.
Simples !!!
-
OnlineX5Sport
- Global Moderator
- Posts: 19008
- Joined: Fri Sep 03, 2010 4:09 pm
- Location: Planet X6......
Re: Where to Couple in 12v supply for the fridge relay
That was the device I thought it was. No flat battery when you stop, cold beers (for non-drivers of course) when running 


-
- Member
- Posts: 199
- Joined: Sat Apr 09, 2016 8:01 pm
Re: Where to Couple in 12v supply for the fridge relay
You got it Bud !!!!