Help with electrics please

Scot5
Scot5 Forum Participant Posts: 8
edited September 2016 in Caravans #1

hi, checking caravan before a trip and found that I had no electricity. Checked the mains lead and there is electricity, the fridge charger circuit breaker was down but all else ok. I tried resetting and it stayed on but no lights or control panel, the sockets
are working though. Any advice would be appreciated

 

Comments

  • Scot5
    Scot5 Forum Participant Posts: 8
    edited September 2016 #2

    It's an elddis avante2015, ive checked all fuses in consumer unit all ok, is there a fuse near the battery?

     

  • ForestR
    ForestR Forum Participant Posts: 326
    100 Comments
    edited September 2016 #3

    Are you sure the battery is not flat since you say the charger was tripped out and therefore would not have been charging. 

  • Scot5
    Scot5 Forum Participant Posts: 8
    edited September 2016 #4

    It may be flat but I've the electric hooked up to mains so should have lights from that, but the only electric in caravan is at 3pin main sockets.

     

  • xtrailman
    xtrailman Forum Participant Posts: 559
    edited September 2016 #5

    If the charger is faulty the battery could be discharged as a result.

  • Metheven
    Metheven Club Member Posts: 3,987 ✭✭✭
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    edited September 2016 #6

    You obviously have a problem with your PSU, either the 240v feed is missing by fuse or connector, the 12v output is missing again by fuse or connector, or the PSU/charger is faulty which may be why the trip operated. You really need to get in there with a meter to determine if the PSU is good.

  • Scot5
    Scot5 Forum Participant Posts: 8
    edited September 2016 #7

    Sorry but what is the PSU ? I've used a current probe which  shows power to the consumer unit, I've also tried the rcd trip switch but it appeapros to be resting ok.

  • Scot5
    Scot5 Forum Participant Posts: 8
    edited September 2016 #8

    Meant to say resetting not resting

  • Metheven
    Metheven Club Member Posts: 3,987 ✭✭✭
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    edited September 2016 #9

    PSU, the Power supply unit or charger. If the mcb initially tripped by a fault in the PSU it could have now gone open circuit which would allow you to reset it, but obviously the damage has been done and it won't work. Not saying your problem is this, just a possibility.

    Need to check for 12v output with the meter.

  • Scot5
    Scot5 Forum Participant Posts: 8
    edited September 2016 #10

    Would I need an electrician to check or is there some way I can do it? Is the PSU different from the consumer unit if so where will it be. Thanks for your help

  • Metheven
    Metheven Club Member Posts: 3,987 ✭✭✭
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    edited September 2016 #11

    I can only tell you that mine (2014 model) has the consumer unit, dc fuse rail and the PSU combined in one casing under the front seat. Sorry, I would recommend a leccy if it means dismantling.

  • neveramsure
    neveramsure Forum Participant Posts: 712
    500 Comments
    edited September 2016 #12

    I am not familiar with your particular model of caravan and I may be stating the obvious but is there not a separate switch to provide power from the battery to the caravan. Some models have a switch that transfers the circuit from car to battery. Another
    test is to hook up to your car and check if the 12 volt lights then work.

  • Metheven
    Metheven Club Member Posts: 3,987 ✭✭✭
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    edited September 2016 #13

    'nevers' makes a valid point, if your caravan is a model with the car/caravan switch on the control panel then ensure it is switched to caravan if on mains hook up. Mine does this automatically.

  • Scot5
    Scot5 Forum Participant Posts: 8
    edited September 2016 #14

    Hi the control panel should work on both mains and 12v,  i can't hook up to car as I use motor mover to take it to car normally. I've checked all fuses biggest being 25 amp all ok. There is power leaving consumer unit but it might be the power going to sockets.
    Still stumped may need an electrician. Stupid question would a general electrician do or does it have to be a caravan servicer.

  • Metheven
    Metheven Club Member Posts: 3,987 ✭✭✭
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    edited September 2016 #15

    General leccy would find the fault.

  • Navigateur
    Navigateur Club Member Posts: 3,880 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited September 2016 #16

    What state is the battery?  If it is good it should be powering the 12v stuff.

    Reading the above it sounds like the PSU (as it is being called) has failed and the battery has gone flat.

  • cyberyacht
    cyberyacht Forum Participant Posts: 10,218
    1000 Comments
    edited September 2016 #17

     Another test is to hook up to your car and check if the 12 volt lights then work.

    Hooking up to the car will only provide current to the caravan battery and (when engine running) fridge.The car doesn't power the other 12V stuff.

  • KjellNN
    KjellNN Club Member Posts: 8,673 ✭✭✭
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    edited September 2016 #18

    If you connect to car (ignition off) and select car battery on the panel, you will be able to run the 12v lights, water pump, toilet flush etc from the car battery.

  • neveramsure
    neveramsure Forum Participant Posts: 712
    500 Comments
    edited September 2016 #19

    If you connect to car (ignition off) and select car battery on the panel, you will be able to run the 12v lights, water pump, toilet flush etc from the car battery.

    That is exactly what I thought KjellNN but CY states otherwise.Undecided

  • KjellNN
    KjellNN Club Member Posts: 8,673 ✭✭✭
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    edited September 2016 #20

    Well......having tried it on 2 caravans, I know it worked that way for us.

    And it was explained in our handbooks.

     

  • KjellNN
    KjellNN Club Member Posts: 8,673 ✭✭✭
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    edited September 2016 #21

    There is a permanent live from the car, which will power the van if required.

    When the ignition is turned on, relays in the car  switch this over to battery charging, and allow the fridge to receive power through its wire, and then the habitation relay in the van operates to cut other 12v in the van.

  • cyberyacht
    cyberyacht Forum Participant Posts: 10,218
    1000 Comments
    edited September 2016 #22

    I must confess to not having tried KjellNN's arrangement, so apologies if I have muddied the waters unnecessarily.

  • Scot5
    Scot5 Forum Participant Posts: 8
    edited September 2016 #23

    The problem is tgat because tge control panel is powered thru tge 12v i cannot do this. Anyway i had a caravan engineer out who diagnosed a faulty battery charger which was tge problem getting new one tomo so hope it works thanks for all responses.

  • Navigateur
    Navigateur Club Member Posts: 3,880 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited September 2016 #24

    Guess that was what a few folk said earlier. Meanwhile you can get on and charge up the battery with any charger you have/borrow to see if it has been destroyed by total discharge.

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