Electrics failed....newbie in a panic!!!!

Dottydingle

We have arrived on site and all set but the sockets are not working. We have lights, radio and the water pump is working but not heating The water.  None of the sockets or the fridge are working. I've looked at the fuse box but can't even work out if the
4 main switches should be up or down!!!

Any help much appreciated please.

rich 81

Try the fuse switch on the site electric hook up. Also did you twist the plug in the site socket ?

Whittakerr

Lights etc. Probably working off the battery. Rich 81 has a good idea, you sometimes need to twist the plug in the site socket to switch it on.

if your not sure if the MCBs in the fuse box should be up or down, just try them in both positions.

has the site electric post got more than one socket? If so try another.

if all else fails just ask someone for help, you will always find someone who has got some experiance more than happy to help.

good luck.

katieb

Just typed in what Rich suggested!

As he said, on some sites you have to twist the plug in a clockwise direction at the bollard for it to connect.

If this does not work check your fuse box - normally the switches are up for on and down when they are off or they have tripped.  If in doubt try both ways.

It is also possible that the electric is faulty at the bollard - if there is a spare socket next to yours try that.

We once could not get electric on a site after having tried everything  - it turned out the whole site had suffered a failure, so if you can't rectify the problem just check this.

Good luck

Tigi

I take it you have switched the mains on in the caravan by pushing the main switch up, if power is reaching the van pressing the RCD Button (usually adjacent to the mains trip) will cause the main switch to trip out if nothing happens power is not reaching
the van from the bollard. Next check the individual trips (often three)  marked fridge etc. Good Luck.

KjellNN

If you cannot get it sorted out tonight , run your fridge and water heater on gas meantime.

Dottydingle

Thanks everyone, we needed to twist the plug on the pole. When I first tried it it wouldn't move. Lovely gentleman showed us how to do it!!!

Whittakerr

Glad you got everything sorted Dotty.

JillwithaJay

Good result.  Thanks for letting us know.

Fysherman

Dotty, It's important from a safety perspective that you connect the hook up lead to the caravan first then into the bollard.

When disconnecting, take it off the bollard first then the caravan.

This keeps you protected if something is faulty. It is also a good idea to have the inside circuit breakers off before you start and turn them on again to connect. Off inside first before disconnecting.

Enjoy your caravanning. It will all be second nature in no time.

Pippah45

Yes so second nature that you stick it in the bollard and then forget to check if it's a twister one or not!  I assumed all was working without checking until I noticed the fridge light flashing! If the bollard has a red button (to release the plug) then
it's a twister to start with - I think?

papgeno

Could be confusing now that the newer bollards are non-twisters

Pippah45

That's why I forgot to check!  Too used to non twisters!