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

Dottydingle
Dottydingle Forum Participant Posts: 11

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.

Comments

  • rich 81
    rich 81 Forum Participant Posts: 189
    edited July 2016 #2

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

  • Whittakerr
    Whittakerr Club Member Posts: 3,472 ✭✭✭✭
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    edited July 2016 #3

    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
    katieb Forum Participant Posts: 74
    edited July 2016 #4

    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
    Tigi Forum Participant Posts: 1,038
    500 Comments
    edited July 2016 #5

    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
    KjellNN Club Member Posts: 8,670 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2016 #6

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

  • Dottydingle
    Dottydingle Forum Participant Posts: 11
    edited July 2016 #7

    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
    Whittakerr Club Member Posts: 3,472 ✭✭✭✭
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    edited July 2016 #8

    Glad you got everything sorted Dotty.

  • JillwithaJay
    JillwithaJay Club Member Posts: 2,485 ✭✭
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    edited July 2016 #9

    Good result.  Thanks for letting us know.

    photo 78301b06-7bdd-45fe-8ae2-d4d2cae14135_zpssi5htrez.jpg

  • Fysherman
    Fysherman Forum Participant Posts: 1,570
    1000 Comments
    edited July 2016 #10

    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
    Pippah45 Forum Participant Posts: 2,452
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    edited July 2016 #11

    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
    papgeno Forum Participant Posts: 2,158
    1000 Comments
    edited July 2016 #12

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

  • Pippah45
    Pippah45 Forum Participant Posts: 2,452
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    edited July 2016 #13

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