Power on, or Power off

Heethers
Heethers Forum Participant Posts: 641
500 Comments
edited September 2019 in Motorhomes #1

Hi

We have just bought a Autotrail tribute T 625, we have been out in it, just a couple of times. l have recently noticed while driving the two battery blue symbols on the control panel are flashing, l am sure l was told to switch the power off which l did, l also isolate the power supply unit. l put the fridge on to battery. Am correct in what l am doing or do l need the power button on, your help would be appreciated.

Heethers

Comments

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited September 2019 #2

    I will just bump this up

  • Heethers
    Heethers Forum Participant Posts: 641
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    edited September 2019 #3

    Don't understand your Answer

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited September 2019 #4

    The term 'bump up' describes posting on a thread to bring it up to the top in recent posts. Many folk don't search through different forum headings for new posts but simply use 'latest posts'.  Posts that have no quick response soon dissapear from view. I was being helpful in my own way laughing

  • Heethers
    Heethers Forum Participant Posts: 641
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    edited September 2019 #5

    Sorry easy T new to this game. it wasn't meant to be rude just didn't understand the meaning, thank you for your help

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited September 2019 #6

    Never thought you were being rude wink

    Off out!

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,142 ✭✭✭
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    edited September 2019 #7

    I’m not familiar with your van, Heathers, but I think you’re correct. The usual thing is to turn the control panel off for travelling. Ours turns itself off once the engine is started. Some bleep reminders at you to turn them off. 

    See, I’d not have seen this if Easy hadn’t bumped it. 😀

  • SeasideBill
    SeasideBill Forum Participant Posts: 2,112
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    edited September 2019 #8

    I had a Trigano some time ago. I’m fairly sure the power supply unit should be on while driving as the controller automatically shuts down to protect the system. In that state, with the engine running, the van & leisure battery icons on the control panel will illuminate, but can’t remember if they were on permanently or flashing, maybe the latter if charging? Is it a Sargent system? If so, I’d give them a ring to confirm.

  • Heethers
    Heethers Forum Participant Posts: 641
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    edited September 2019 #9

    In the manual under getting ready for the road it doesn't mention anything about switching the power on so l assume the power supply unit is switched off and the control panel is switched off, l switch the refrigerator to battery which l assume is being charged by the engine management system ie alternator by a split relay, l think the two battery icons on the power supply that are flashing means they are both being charged, hope l am right

  • SeasideBill
    SeasideBill Forum Participant Posts: 2,112
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    edited September 2019 #10

    You don’t say what system you have fitted, but assuming it’s a Sargent EC155, EC50 or similar, I don’t think it matters if the power is switched on because the control panel will automatically shut down electrical accessories when the engine is started. They’ll all be routed through one or several relays switched by your ignition system. The flashing blue LEDs is, apparently, normal state with the engine running indicating the split charge system has been engaged and electromagnetic compatibility (whatever that is) relay is switched.

    I think your MH is doing exactly what it’s meant to do.

  • young thomas
    young thomas Forum Participant Posts: 11,356
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    edited September 2019 #11

    in my experience, battery 'light/symbol' indicators show...

    red....empty (or nearly)

    yellow...low (warning)

    green..solid (normal operating range) 

    green..flashing (full)

    these are the symbols on our Solar Control panel,the van CP has a linear guage and the Spit Charge On has its own symbol. 

    re the control panel, vans do vary and uk vans (I think autotrail build the Tributes) have to have the on board electrics OFF while the vehicle is running....so it may do this automatically as TW highlighted.

    OTOH, our continental van cares not...on or off, the van runs the same, makes no difference, except that it needs to be on to use 12v to run the water pump, flush the loo or turn lights on or use habitation charging points.

    none of these will work on your van while the engine is running...don't ask me why.

    edit: Bill, snap!

  • derekcyril
    derekcyril Forum Participant Posts: 408
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    edited September 2019 #12

    electrical surge 

  • rayjsj
    rayjsj Forum Participant Posts: 930
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    edited September 2019 #13

    That is a feature that has always puzzled me ? If possible spikes from the habitation electrics could damage an ECU on a UK made motorhome, why NOT on European made ones. Are the electrics not made to the same standards ? I thought thats what EU common standards were ALL about ? and why BSI ceased to have any meaning.

  • Heethers
    Heethers Forum Participant Posts: 641
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    edited September 2019 #14

    Thanks everyone really appreciate you replies, happy in my own mind now that nothing is untoward 

    Heethers