Hi me and my partner have just bought a swift corniche 14/2e 2 berth van, the van did not come with a battery which i have purchased and fitted and i have connected the mains hook up lead to my house to check out the electrics and and also to run a small heater inside to take the chill off the inside of the van. However every thing seems to work fine from the mains but when i disconect the mains supply nothing will work off the battery ie radio or lights, hence all the chanels are tunned in are lost again. The battery charger buzzes so i think is fine also all the fuses are ok as ive checked them with a meter, there is also a battery status meter to the right of the radio which does not read anything.
i believe the caravan is late 1980's van.
Any help will be much appriciated Tony + Andrea Novices
Can I confirm, are you saying ALL works ok while you're connected to the electric (EHU) and you've a problem once disconnected? Is the battery charged sufficiently (how long have you been connected)?
Is the battery you've bought ok?
Do you have a separate 12v master switch that must be 'on' for 12v operation?
Some earlier chargers were combined transformers too, so it's possible that the transformers providing the 12v when the EHU is connected, but the charger circuit isn't charging the battery.
Ideally you could do with arming yourself with a voltage or multimeter to check the chargers output and to check for battery voltage too. This will be awkward to assist with without being to measure voltages.
Many thanks to all that replied and as for dave coaches yes the battery i have fitted is brand new and i have put a multi meter accros it and it reads 12.6 volt ???
Quote: Originally posted by Buckton on 23/2/2013
... i have put a multi meter accros it and it reads 12.6 volt ???
I assume this is the battery output you quote. If this is the case, I can only reiterate my thought on a 12v main switch that has not been set. This might be on a panel near the door (if an older van, perhaps the legends worn from the switch to show what it is) or elsewhere, close to consumer unit maybe?
if connected to EHU touching the battery terminals should be read 13 to 14 volts if the charger is working.if not check charger,or as said a switch not switched.
Many thanks for every one that replied with help but i have give the van a good check over and found one of the ceramic fuses was blown in the box under the seat to the fron of the van as for the battery status meter i have removed this and found it was not even conected, so i have taken a suply from the radio to this, all i need now is a spare wheel and some gas bottles and a bit warmer weather.
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Topic: Electrical Fault
