Mains electric doesn't work... what now?
Hi All,
We've had our caravan parked at the side of the house for the first time (it's been in a local storage garage since December when we bought her) - on first attempt the electrics don't work?? Oh-oh..
It is a Rapido Pop-Top 1989. In the fuse cupboard there is a Hager mains power switch and 2 Hager trip fuses. One is definitely 15amp the other (if memory serves) is 5amp. There's no RCD test switch that I can see, although I haven't looked beyond the fuse
cupboard... yet. I'm assuming it doesn't have this installed. Combined with the mains box there is also a 12v box with conventional car fuses.
I might have done things in the wrong order but here's what I did the first time:
I pluged my mains adapter into the domestic supply from the house, connected the ECU plug to this and then connected the other ECU plug into the caravan. When I went to the mains power switch it was in the "0" position (off), when I tried to switch it on
(the "1" position) it immediated flipped back off
The mains switch will stay on if the 15amp trip fuse is left off (I'm assuming this is for the mains sockets?), However with the 5 amp fuse switched on by itself the mains switch stays on - but I can't find anything electrical working such as lights or mains
sockets?? As soon as I switch the 15amp trip fuse on the mains switch flips back to off again. So whatever is wrong will be on the 15amp circuit.
I'm thinking there is a short somewhere but before I start hunting for dodgy wiring etc. I wanted to make sure I wasn't missing something obvious... another switch I'm unaware of?
It occured to me after we put her back in the garage that when I was trying all this the caravan was still hitched to the car with the tow electric socket still connected. But I don't think this would affect anything?
As you have guessed by now I'm no electrician but I'm on a very strict budget and I am willing to learn if anyone can steer me in the right direction. If I do the work and then get it tested it will save me a small fortune!
Anyone know what might be wrong?
Anything I've done wrong or haven't done?
Help greatly appreciated
Andy