I have the OEM towbar.

I have two power sockets, one with a black lid, one with a white lid.

I use the black one for my trailer lights.

What's the white one for, when should I use it ? .
Experience is the only genuine knowledge, but as time passes, I have forgotten more than I can remember
Volvo V70 P2 2006 2.4 Petrol 170bhp Estate SE
MG Midget Mk1 1962

Previous: L322 Range Rover TDV8 3.6 2008; L322 Range Rover TD6 3.0 2002; P38A Range Rover V8 1999

Last edited by Joe90 on 12th May 2012 3:38pm. Edited 1 time in total

Aux power eg to caravan.

Here you go:

http://www.motabars.co.uk/basic_tow_electrics.html Graham

____
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Gone: 17MY RR Evoque SE Tech, Loire Blue
Gone: 08MY Discovery 3 XS, Stornoway Grey
Gone: 07MY FFRR TDV8 Vogue, Stornoway Grey

They are 12n (black socket) 12s (white socket)

12n = towing lights
12s = caravan/trailer aux socket. Charging for caravan 12v battery and power for the fridge. Also Has he feed for a reversing light on a caravan/trailer if fitted. There is nothing that can't be fixed with a hammer😜😜
FFRR 4.4 SDV8 Autobiography Santorini Black.
KIA E-Niro 4+
2021 Discovery 5 D300 MHEV commercial

Thank you  .
Experience is the only genuine knowledge, but as time passes, I have forgotten more than I can remember
Volvo V70 P2 2006 2.4 Petrol 170bhp Estate SE
MG Midget Mk1 1962

Previous: L322 Range Rover TDV8 3.6 2008; L322 Range Rover TD6 3.0 2002; P38A Range Rover V8 1999

Also, if you don't seem to have any power coming from the white socket, check 20 amp Fuse 76 in the rear fusebox.

I found this out when tried to charge the battery with my Ctek and homemade trailer socket connector. On a previous effort I must have touched the croc clips together blowing the fuse.

Whilst in there I spotted that 15 amp Fuse 74 was in the wrong slot (75) .
Experience is the only genuine knowledge, but as time passes, I have forgotten more than I can remember
Volvo V70 P2 2006 2.4 Petrol 170bhp Estate SE
MG Midget Mk1 1962

Previous: L322 Range Rover TDV8 3.6 2008; L322 Range Rover TD6 3.0 2002; P38A Range Rover V8 1999

On a 2006MY SC F20 (20Amp)is the permanent supply & F1 (15Amp) is one of the switched supplies. I bought the 12 S adaptor from Martin & connected it up to my CTEK, no joy. Found that the 20 Amp fuse had blown and replaced it. CTEK seemed to spring into life. Checked later and found fuse had blown again After much head scratching traced fault to 12 S socket. Found virtually a full earth (around 6 -7 ohms) between earth pin and permanent supply pin.
I had to dig the potting compound out and found the center earth connection to be in a poor state with the wire's insulation worn away and the conductor brushing the permanent live connection. I have now replaced the 12 S with a new one and bunged a load of silicon around the connections. CTEK now works a treat. Note: the original socket looked in good condition, with the potting compound in place!
I don't know if the previous owner towed or not but it looks to me as if the factory fit 12 S socket was not put together right in the first place. I also think that this sort of thing could possibly be the cause of battery drain on a number of member's cars, especially if not quite a full earth!
As an aside I've used the grey cover from the original (with the Land Rover logo) on the replacement 12 S socket. It's a sod to sort the closing spring out . Previous cars:
S-Max 2007-2013 (only diesel I've had, good car but expensive when diesely bits go wrong, so what's the point?)
Galaxy 2001-2007
Mondeo Estate 1997-2001
Sierra Estate 1993-1997
Uno Turbo 1987 -1993
Fiesta 1984 - 1987
Fiat 127 1982 - 1984

12N 12S pretty old hat now, and a cr p design of brass pins / tubes - they are always giving trouble, oftem connections go high resistance then when you are towing the van and the fridge is running the 12S plug / socket get hot.

Newer 13 pin 'continental' connector far far better  2006 (56 Reg) 4.4 V8 Vogue In Bonatti Grey (Gorgeous!!)