Alko ATC - A cautionary Tale
Last September we were enjoying a pleasant stay at the Seacroft Club site when I discovered an unusual problem with an Alko ATC which could presumably happen to anyone. My caravan is a 2017 Swift Archway Celeste fitted with the Alko ATC as standard. I had been having problems with an intermittent indicator fault on the caravan and decided to connect the electrics to check this out whilst on site. I did not attempt to move the caravan at the time, just tested the indicators.
when I came to leave, I tried to use the mover to pull the 'van off the pitch and I found that the caravan brakes were locked solid in the forward direction although it would move rearward completely freely. I suspected an issue with the ATC and so I hitched up normally and with the electrics reconnected the brakes were immediately released. It transpired that the ATC had for some reason applied the brake, presumably when the electrics were temporarily connected.
investigations reveal that the ATC system performs a "self-check" procedure when connected and if, for any reason, this is interrupted it can result in the brake being applied. Presumably this is what happened to me. The system has operated perfectly ever since but I feel that others need to be aware of this situation. If your brakes lock on for no apparent reason - try connecting your car electrics before calling out the mechanic!!
Moderator Edit:
Moved from the Story Section
Many Thanks.
Comments
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This stacks up with the ATC doing exactly what it is designed to do.
On powering on it applies the brakes by the 40 odd % it uses, then takes them off, whilst displaying the process on its LED indicator
I think in your earlier connecting up to check the indicators or in possibly during disconnecting if not done cleanly, you did not wait to get through the auto check and for the green LED "safe" indication.
The fact that the van moved astern, but not ahead is a feature of the "auto reverse" mechanism. Higher levels of brake application, probably above what the ATC is set to achieve are needed to activate reverse braking.
The moral is don't uncouple the plug till the ATC is indicating green, ie it has set the brakes off.
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It's all well and good saying read the instructions but in todays H&S, EU directive an compensation saturated culture there are reams of inane drivel to read through before you actually get to the instructions!
A very interesting tip Unox and well worth remembering. Thanks also to ocsid for the technical explanation.
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A very interesting tip
It's interesting but not a 'tip', it's a documented instruction. If people can't be bothered to read instruction booklets that come with all purchases of this kind, then how does one know how to operate it safely and correctly.
I do read instructions as I find I'm more knowledgeable afterwards about the product than I was before.
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“It's all well and good saying read the instructions but in todays H&S, EU directive an compensation saturated culture there are reams of inane drivel to read through before you actually get to the instructions!”
That sounds like a cop out for the lazy amongst us, BVM. 😀
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Ok Metheven, I'll rephrase it.
Thanks Unox for the above piece of information. Well worth remembering.
My Honda CR-V came with a mighty tome of a handbook of almost 600 pages. If I sat and read through that lot before using it it would still be in the garage unused 4 years later!
What I'm saying is instruction books should be able to get straight to the point and not be bogged down by endless peripheral jargon brought about by H&S and EU legislation.
EDIT.
Sorry, H&S is legislation, EU is directives!
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I agree on the peripheral jargon, my car manual could could be halved in content, but at least it's 'bolded' so I can easily chooses to ignore after getting the jist of it from the first sentence.
I also thank Unox for the reminder in case it has been forgotten after reading the instructions
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It is, I suspect abnormal to couple and uncouple the 13 pin electrics without either towing away or having towed, both will not leave the ATC holding the brakes on.
IMO by far the biggest issue associated with ATC is poor connections with the car to caravan plug and socket. There again IMO it is more with the white 7 pin earlier arrangement, that the more modern 13 pin. Not an ATC issue, that has no fault, but poor supply system maintenance.
Casual removal of the plug and socket where the make and break is not done cleanly can also set the ATC off applying the brakes but be left without the power needed to fully execute the process. This is operator error not an ATC issue.
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Thanks for all your input and comments. I have to say that I did read the instructions and was fully aware of the system. The electrics were connected long enough for the ATC system to complete its checks, however I didn't check the green light as I normally would as I had no intention of moving off and my focus was on the indicator issue. I'm pretty sure the problem arose with an "unclean" disconnection as described.
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Thanks again Unox and ocsid for the information.
Regarding poor connections would an occasional squirt of WD40 (other products are available)
into the 13 pin plug help alleviate such problems? In fact, is a squirt of said WD40 part of the annual van service? Would a squirt into the tow bar socket also be beneficial or would the van plug squirt be sufficient?My, there are an awful lot of little squirts about!
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There are far,far better products than WD40.In fact ,at least one caravan manufacturer states that it should not be used on their caravans !! (in my opinion and without prejudice...)
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My view too, I would not use WD 40 or its clones for that, or much else.
If the plug and socket are giving intermittent continuity issues its time to throw them away and fit new, they are cheap enough, and you can remake their wire connections to ensure these are healthy. Then spray all the rears with silicone spray to keep the moisture and subsequent corrosion away.
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Thanks again ocsid, and also dsm.
That gets rid of most of the little squirts!
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Is there a difference between silicone spray and silicone grease? Would it be safe to use silicone spray on the seals of toilet cassettes, for example?
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Thetford sell one specifically for toilet seals. Also works well on door locks, awning rail etc.
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Thanks Steve.
My van has a Dometic CT4000 toilet. Presumably the seals are made from the same material as Thetford's seals so is it reasonable to assume the Thetford spray will be compatible?
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Do not use silicone spray on electrical connections or near them. Silicone migrates and causes high resistance joints and subsequent problems.
The use of WD 40 or similar palm oil based oils on electrical connections is an excellent way to stop corrosion. Its limitations of use in caravans is for painted panels where it can cause tarnishing of the paint or panel surface or make certain polymers go porous. It should not be used on Perspex windows either.
The best is electrolube contact treatment which both resists moisture and breaks down surface corrosion to maintain a good conductive path.
PS, Man fails to read instructions, EU to blame.
No wonder we are heading to hell in handcart.
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And my advice was specifically:
" Then spray all the rears with silicone spray to keep the moisture and subsequent corrosion away."
So would not be altering the continuity just help keep corrosion here at bay. I was not suggesting it on the pins though have never tried or needed to.
My experience of using WD 40 includes it being only of short term effectiveness, silicone much longer.
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So, where are the moderators who are ready and willing to remove some comments yet the above posting, which is full of nothing but political comment is still here 3 days after posting?
I even reported it soon after it appeared but it is still here.
No doubt if I got into a slanging match with "comrade" NFC the moderators would soon delete my postings, but to be quite honest NFC's posting isn't worth the effort of replying to.
No doubt this posting will be removed in record time!
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Report the post again if you believe it contravenes the T&Cs, BVM. It’s better than repeating it!
Incidentally, the mods don't see reports as they go to the Community Manager.
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Easy T, I've always respected your comments on CT but who are you to comment on hat size, bearing in mind your avatar!
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TW, just thought I'd comment and see if the moderators pick up on it. I'll see what happens.
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