Mover Switch

V70Ranger
V70Ranger Forum Participant Posts: 43
edited February 2021 in Caravans #1

I had a second mover fitted a year ago to my Bailey twin axle. Whilst unable to use the van much last year I did have concerns that the movers were not working correctly. To cut a long story short, following an inspection of the movers, it appears that the second mover has had the wrong control box fitted. Powrtouch are involved and speaking to the company that fitted the second mover.

However, on looking at the isolation switch for the movers, which is fitted under the bed, I can see that the back of the switch is open meaning that the wires are exposed. Seems a bit dodgy to me given that the area under the bed is used for storage. Does anyone know if the switch should have a cover on the rear?

 

Comments

  • KeithL
    KeithL Forum Participant Posts: 114
    edited February 2021 #2

    Not sure if it should have a cover but looking at the pic I would get a small electrical junction box from the likes of screwfix and fit the switch inside that.

    The box can be screwed to the van floor, the switch can use one of the cable access holes and be bolted through the side of the box with cables fed through another cable access hole. Much safer and would also protect the switch from mechanical damage 

  • V70Ranger
    V70Ranger Forum Participant Posts: 43
    edited February 2021 #3

    Many thanks. Good idea!

  • dave the rave
    dave the rave Forum Participant Posts: 806
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    edited February 2021 #4

    One of the mover manufacturers supplied rubber caps to go over the terminals and I would imagine that a little bit of research would find a supplier.

  • Whittakerr
    Whittakerr Club Member Posts: 3,472 ✭✭✭✭
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    edited February 2021 #5

    If you want a cheap fix just wrap the terminals with insulation tape. It's only 12v so will be no problem.

    i have to say it doesn't look like a professional installation. Dont think i would have accepted it.

  • Freedom a whitebox
    Freedom a whitebox Club Member Posts: 296 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2021 #6

    There are rubber terminal boots that slide over the wire and cover the terminal. Any auto electrical shop will have them, I think I’ve even seen them in Halfords.

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited February 2021 #7

    Whilst not the world's best installation  ... the isolation switch on my caravan is, again, under a bed locker but it's mounted to an upturned plastic socket pattress which is screwed to the caravan floor.  A draw back being that the mover shuts itself down after so long so I need to enter the caravan, lift a seat & turn the mover on each time I want to use it. Hence I only mover if I can't use the car.

  • dave the rave
    dave the rave Forum Participant Posts: 806
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    edited February 2021 #8

    as I said earlier!

  • KeithL
    KeithL Forum Participant Posts: 114
    edited February 2021 #9

    12v will be a huge problem if you bridge the contacts with something metallic. Try shorting out the leisure battery or car battery with a screwdriver to see the results, big flash and crack and melted tools

  • V70Ranger
    V70Ranger Forum Participant Posts: 43
    edited February 2021 #10

    Many thanks to you all for responding. 

    The initial installation did not cause me any concern so I think that the switch did have some form of cover on and that this was removed when the second mover was fitted.

    The second mover was fitted by a local caravan service centre and not the dealer where we originally purchased the van. Hopefully with Powrtouch dealing with the issue things will be resolved.

    I have been dealing with a family bereavement so a little all over the place at the moment so sought the views of fellow club members, which as always is very much appreciated.

    Thank you all again

  • dave the rave
    dave the rave Forum Participant Posts: 806
    500 Comments
    edited February 2021 #11

    It is merely a switch!Bridging the terminals will merely turn the mover on !There is no earth there to worry about.A simple 12 volt switch.

  • Whittakerr
    Whittakerr Club Member Posts: 3,472 ✭✭✭✭
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    edited February 2021 #12

    If you bridge the contacts of the switch with something metallic it will have exactly the same result as switching it on. As you can see from the photo it is a single pole switch not double pole so you cannot short the battery from the back of the switch as you suggest. The insulation tape i suggested will stop any accidental contact with the terminals.

  • Rufs
    Rufs Club Member Posts: 4,072 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited February 2021 #13

    Much to my OH's annoyance, and to the bewilderment of some happy campers, i do sometimes not use the mover just to keep my hand in.

    My isolation switch is in the battery locker and is fitted so that you cannot have the EHU lead in situa whilst using the mover, which the fitter told me was a safety feature.

  • MrRoute
    MrRoute Forum Participant Posts: 141
    edited February 2021 #14

    isolation switch should be fitted in the battery locker  so that mover can be disconnected should the remote fail in the on position.

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited February 2021 #15

    I have aerial sockets & a ciggy/12v socket in the battery locker where your isolation switch is. I keep threatening to move my isolation switch to the inside of the locker on the other side of my caravan near to a 240v in there .... but that's as far as I get. 🙄 

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited February 2021 #16

    only if there is room ..... 😉 and if it was possible for a remote to fail 'on' I'm sure whipping the battery out would switch it off 👍

  • KeithL
    KeithL Forum Participant Posts: 114
    edited February 2021 #17

     Good point well made, I did get that one wrong

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited February 2021 #18

    covers available here

  • richardandros
    richardandros Club Member Posts: 2,681 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2021 #19

    That's exactly how ours is wired - physically impossible to put the key in the isolator with the EHU cable in place. A very simple but easily achieved safety feature.