12volt wont work

Mickey h
Mickey h Forum Participant Posts: 12
edited June 2020 in Caravans #1

so i have a ABI Jubilee Herald and i went to get it ready for the weekend today and when plugged into the mains i have no 12volt power, when flicking the 12v switch it flicks red and then goes off, the battery is not a good one but should it not bypass/charge the battery when on the mains, when plugged into the car the other day using an anderson connector it worked would this mean the charger or what ever the caravan has isnt working, anyone know where to look? should it not work without a battery while on the mains?

i dont know much about this van as i have only just got it after getting rid of my old one.

Comments

  • hitchglitch
    hitchglitch Forum Participant Posts: 3,007
    1000 Comments
    edited June 2020 #2

    I am not familiar with the model but, yes, the 12 volt system should be supplied through the charger in parallel with the battery so even if the battery is flat or removed you should still have 12 volts when on mains hook-up. As you get 12 volts from the car when hitched it sounds like a faulty charging system but without some electrical knowledge and a meter it could be difficult to diagnose.

    If the charger is not working then the leisure battery will be flat and may be beyond recovery but you should remove it from the van and charge it on the bench.

  • Vulcan
    Vulcan Forum Participant Posts: 670
    edited July 2020 #3

    I don't know why you are using an Anderson connector to connect to your vehicle however have you checked the basics, there is probably a switch on your control panel to select the power source (vehicle battery/van battery/off). failing that have you checked all the 12v fuses.

  • Cornersteady
    Cornersteady Club Member Posts: 14,428 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2020 #4

    Many caravans need, or it says in the handbook, that the battery to be in place all the time even when using EHU. There is a technical reason but I can't remember what it was.

  • hitchglitch
    hitchglitch Forum Participant Posts: 3,007
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    edited July 2020 #5

    The battery helps smooth the regulated charger supply which will lessen the likelihood of damage to sensitive electronic equipment and it is usually recommended to keep it in circuit, however, most caravans (particularly older models) should not suffer from temporary absence of the battery.

    The fact that the 12V light initially comes on would suggest that all the circuits are live.

    If the van has a voltmeter it should be around 13.8 volts if the charger is working, if the charger isn’t working you will just get battery voltage which would be maximum 12.7V (or zero if battery dud!). 

  • Cornersteady
    Cornersteady Club Member Posts: 14,428 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2020 #6

    Could well be but mine says it must have a battery in at all times when in use with EHU or it invalidates the warranty.

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,142 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2020 #7

    It depends on the type of charger and control system whether a battery is needed while using EHU. Some do, some don’t.

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited July 2020 #8

    If the OP is familiar with the caravan I assume it is not user error. Commonly reported fault used to be a kettle type plug from he mains into the back of the charger coming loose.

  • hitchglitch
    hitchglitch Forum Participant Posts: 3,007
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    edited July 2020 #9

    The ABI Jubilee I think is quite an old model (pre year 2000?) and is less likely to have the same problem as newer vans with smart chargers etc. I imagine if you took the battery out of some of the Coachman models or others with smart, off line, charging it would confuse the heck out of them.

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