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Subject Topic: No 12v power
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PersonJohn2102
03/11/2014 at 7:19pm
 Location: Coventry
 Outfit: Inbetween vans View John2102's Profile View Profile   Reply to John2102 Reply   Quote John2102 Quote  
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Hi

I am both new to the Forum and new to Motorhomes. We bought a very old one a month ago and had a successful 400 mile trip around Suffolk and Norfolk with our first outing. We did have a problem with power from the hook up and took it to a repairers. All it was was a 13amp fuse that was missing. That done everything worked fine. We fully tested it yesterday in readiness for a few days down Somerset this weekend coming and everything was working perfectly.

I have just gone into the van to get something and could not get anything to work. When pressing down the relevant switches on the Zig unit the light doesn't come on. None of the lights work so obviously no power is getting anywhere. I hooked up on mains electric and the mains switch lit up and so did the mains switch on the fridge.

Have any of you experts any idea what the problem could be.

I have added two photos to my gallery. One of a side view of the van and one of the Zig unit.

Regards
John


PersonScreen2
03/11/2014 at 8:05pm
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Sounds like your leisure battery is flat(I assume one is fitted?)This is the battery that powers lights/sink tap/radio when you are parked but not using mains hookup. The leisure battery should charge up when you are driving & it should charge when hooked up to mains. If its flat then battery could have had it. Check leisure battery voltage & charge it using separate charger. See if it holds charge & go from there.


PersonJohn2102
03/11/2014 at 8:28pm
 Location: Coventry
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Thanks Screen2

I must admit I was thinking it might be that so I have left the van hooked up to the mains and will leave it like that throughout the night and also whilst I am at work tomorrow to see if that does the trick. I will then test it again.

When we went to the repairers on Saturday he did check to see if the hook up was trickle charging the battery and it was. I also have a solar panel on the dash board which also trickle charges the leisure battery.

My worry is that if the Leisure battery is flat then what has caused it as I didn't do anything other that what I would have done on site, except the testing was over a far shorter period than if we had been on site.

Regards
John


Persontango55
03/11/2014 at 8:36pm
 Location: Lichfield
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The way to check if it is the leisure battery is to physically do a test with a multi-meter and check the condition of the leisure battery that way. A fully charged leisure battery should be around 12.8 to 13 volts.


PersonJohn2102
03/11/2014 at 8:40pm
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Hi Tango55

That was done on Saturday and it did fall into that volt range.

If it is the Leisure battery then what would cause it to go flat within one day.

Regards
John


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bald eagle
03/11/2014 at 8:47pm
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Is the charger unit on which charges the leisure battery.

-------------
Life is to short,be happy have fun.
regards
bald eagle


PersonJohn2102
03/11/2014 at 8:50pm
 Location: Coventry
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Hi Bald Eagle

Now you are in territory that I don't know. Where would I find that?

Regards
John


PersonScreen2
03/11/2014 at 9:14pm
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Do you have a multimeter to test voltage across battery terminals. You need to check voltage while you are plugged into mains & battery should be charging, voltage should be well over 13v. If it is not then suspect faulty charger. Also start engine & check battery is charging to ensure split charge relay is ok. After charging overnight, unplug from mains & check there is no discharge from battery with everything switched off. Then leave for a day. If battery has gone flat then battery has had it.


PersonJohn2102
03/11/2014 at 9:29pm
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Unfortunately I don't own a multimeter and looking at the prices they are way beyond my pocket so not sure what to do next.

Regards
John


PersonLobeyDosser
03/11/2014 at 11:23pm
 Location: Argyll Scotland
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As most multimeters are under a Tenner, I am surprised any caravan owner doesn't have one.

Multimeters

-------------
Lobey.


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PersonJohn2102
03/11/2014 at 11:35pm
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Thanks Loby

Just shows you what I know. The ones I was looking at were £200+.

Regards
John


PersonLobeyDosser
03/11/2014 at 11:58pm
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I'm sure there are plenty at that price but for all I ever want to use one for, the cheapies are fine.

-------------
Lobey.


PersonJohn2102
04/11/2014 at 7:17am
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Thanks Lobey

I will take your advice and get one.

I have had the hook up going for over 12 hours now and everything is now working fine.

I will keep the hook up on right through until Thursday morning. I will be driving the van to work that day then leaving for Somerset after work. Hopefully everything will be ok by then.

Regards
John


PersonChrisKee
04/11/2014 at 9:03am
 Location: Fareham
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Grats that the problem has been fixed.
But remember, the voltage only is not significant enough to describe the batterys condition. Let it check at a garage and maybe replace the battery.



-------------
High Expectations are the key to everything.
-Sam Walton


PersonJohn2102
04/11/2014 at 9:12pm
 Location: Coventry
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Not knowing how old the leisure battery is it might pay me to get a new one.

The type of use this van will probably get is a mixture of hook up and wild camping as it will be used for birdwatching, wildlife photography and visiting as many wild places as possible.

With that type of use in mind which leisure battery would you choose and also where we you buy it from.

I have seen a 115Ah being advertised fully charged at Halfords for £89. Would that do the job?

Regards
John


Personkbcalypso
04/11/2014 at 9:55pm
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the more AH the better also check that the size is right for where it sits, and the terminals are on the same side as the original battery ie + or - , 115 is ok, if its old then replace asap. 89 is about right.

-------------
keep on moving



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