C5 Towbar Electrics

[Guest TerryC5]

Hi people, newby here. I have a C5 estate 2002 and wondered what type of wiring kit I have to buy for my towbar. I have read about the BUS systems etc and wondered if mine will be fitted with this kind of electrics. It is an LX without the full display panel i.e non bulb out option not on this vehicle.

 

 

Hope someone can help and any tips would be appreciated....cheers

[kfk]

Hi people, newby here. I have a C5 estate 2002 and wondered what type of wiring kit I have to buy for my towbar. I have read about the BUS systems etc and wondered if mine will be fitted with this kind of electrics. It is an LX without the full display panel i.e non bulb out option not on this vehicle.

 

 

Hope someone can help and any tips would be appreciated....cheers

 

You will need a Smartbypass relay - http://www.rydertowing.co.uk/pricelist/login.aspx take a look here

[Guest TerryC5]

Ok thanks I have just bought this off eBay and hope it will do the trick, any advice would be very welcome.

 

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...N:IT&ih=011

[Johndouglas]

That looks good - but from the piccy can't see whether or not it has a Smart 7 relay. If it hasn't, you'll still need one. Also if you're towing a caravan you'll need a Smartcom for battery charging and fridge relay. Look at these:- http://www.towsure.com/product/1828-Self-S...mbination_Relay

[Guest TerryC5]

Ok thanks Guys, I will have to wait till it arrives and see whats in the box and I will oreder a Smartcomm relay so I can have the fridge cold on arrival.....cheers

[Johndouglas]

A word of advice! If you are going to wire a Smartcom for battery and fridge use, don’t be tempted by the easy option and pick up a supply from the boot socket. It will give you poor results in the fridge. You need a cable of at least 2.5mm, taken direct from the battery to the relay, with a fuse close to the battery. I found the easiest way was to run the wire down the back of the engine, through the conduit under the floor, up over the fuel tank and through a hole put into the plastic plug under the rear seat. From there, it’s easy to get to the boot.

[Guest petersandyglen]

A word of advice! If you are going to wire a Smartcom for battery and fridge use, don’t be tempted by the easy option and pick up a supply from the boot socket. It will give you poor results in the fridge. You need a cable of at least 2.5mm, taken direct from the battery to the relay, with a fuse close to the battery. I found the easiest way was to run the wire down the back of the engine, through the conduit under the floor, up over the fuel tank and through a hole put into the plastic plug under the rear seat. From there, it’s easy to get to the boot.

 

I fully agree with john. The guys who wired my C5 2.0 hdi. tried to link it into the fine wiring in the boot. It blew the fuse every time I connected the caravan. Link the 2.5 wire straight into the battery, through a relay that only becomes live when the ignition is switched on, and somehow get the wire into the boot. I did it a different way to John but the end is the same. All modern caravans need the extra oooomph because it also charges the battery from the same wire. Peter.

[Guest TerryC5]

Ok thanks for all the advice guys, just awiting delivery then the fun can begin, thanks again.

[Johndouglas]

Link the 2.5 wire straight into the battery, through a relay that only becomes live when the ignition is switched on,

 

 

Of course, If you use a Smartcom, you don't need an ignition-live wire because the Smartcom is self-switching and detects when the alternator is charging.