No doubt this has been asked before, but my searching has failed me!
Currently I am only able to run our 'new' caravn off the 12S auxiliary from the car (awaiting delivery of a EHU -> main 3 pin plug). Lights seem to work fine, but can't get any sense from the water pump or sockets. Suppose sockets makes sense as anything plugged into these will be expecting 240V, but I thought the water pump would work Checked the fuse on the socket switch on the HM4V power control board, but that seemed fine. Cannot check the water pump one as the little grey fuse holder slot is mashed so it wont turn round enough to come out
So. SHOULD the water pump be working? Is there any other way I can check if it's the wiring or the pump itself?
Whilst connected to the car (with engine running) You can use the fridge if it's 3 way and also the on board charger to charge your leisure battery.
I understand that the only things that will run off 12V Leisure battery is a couple of lights, the alarm and the motor mover. Now I am questioning myself
I am no expert and I'm sure someone will correct me if I am wrong
------------- Beauty is in the eyes of the beer holder
Sounds like the previous owner has had trouble with it if they have mashed the fuse holder. Was it a private sale or from a dealer? If it came from a dealer then I would be having a word with them. Even from a private sale, then the phrase "fit for purpose" comes to mind. If you don't have the ability to pump water then I hardly consider the van as fit for purpose. Though I would probably sort it myself, it is something to consider. However if the previous seller sold it fully aware of a problem then they are not likely to be paying for a repair without a fight. By the time you go employing solicitors it is probably cheaper to get it done yourself.
Hard to say what the problem is, but my first point of call is going to be the fuse as it looks like it has been tampered with and possibly broken.
Do you have an onboard pump or a submersible? You coul;d try borrowing a pump if it's a submersible to prove the pump or check to see if you have power to the pump.
If the lights are working I would expect the pump to work. Do you have a leisure battery fitted? It is not uncommon for a habitation relay to turn the electrics off when connected to the 12S, but if that were the case then the lights would not be working. But the fault could be on the lighting circuit instead.
You are right about the sockets, these are only connected to the EHU so would not work on the 12S system.
BTW Welcome to UKCS...We don't all bite, just a few of us when we've had a bad day.
water pump should be 12v so it should work off the car battery or any other battery. it should be on a blade type fuse, check that isnt blown. if that is unserviceable it might be best to get a auto spark to replace it. could also be a dirty contact on one of the tap microswitches
I assume you have the submersible pump in a bucket of water as it wont run if dry
Ttr another tap. If it's a faulty microswitch then this should prove it. The submersible pump is usually the weak link in the system, but the damage to the fuse holder rings alarm bells to me. You could try connecting the pump directly to a 12 volt battery to prove it, but be careful not to short anything out.
Tried kitchen and bathroom taps, so does this answer the microswitch question? (I may know about fuses but that's about as far as I go...beyond that the dumb woman comes into play )
Yes, not THAT dumb a woman - sub pump is in the aquaroll
Connecting directly to a 12V comes under the 'dumb woman' category - wouldn't know where to start (especailly as all the wires seem to disappear inside the 'van somewhere...) but I could cadge some help from my Dad!
Similarly the radio/ cassette fitted is dead as a dodo...and no idea what this is wired into on the panel of course...is all sounding like a 'take the panel off and see what the damage is' job... (And yes, private sale and beginning to sound less and less like the bargain we thought it was...hey, you live and learn right!)
Quote: Originally posted by bikermel76 on 02/11/2008
Yes, not THAT dumb a woman - sub pump is in the aquaroll
okay I had to ask the question, sorry
12v wiring in a van isnt complicated it is when a load of prev owners modify and bodge stuff then it becomes a problem. if the panel looks like a rats nest of wires and your dad or any mates are competent with electrics then rewire the thing, it wont cost a lot for materials, I know the UKCS legend that is papa pip rewired his van for both 240v and 12v and it took him about a day. The fixed-it club should be able to offer advice. Believe me compared to the dreaded damp electrics are a doddle
The 12v system in the caravan works from an onboard leisure battery, not from the car - that's only for when you're towing and it keeps the fridge cool and charges the battery if the caravan has a battery charger.
Is there a leisure battery fitted?
------------- Caz
If you can't see the light at the end of the tunnel, just keep going till you go round the bend.
If you plug into the 12s, ignition off, you should get 12v lights and pump working. With engine on, you should only get fridge and battery charging.
If you have a 3 way switch, to run off the car while not towing set it to "car". Otherwise set it to "van". Using from the car battery is really only for emergencies.
All this depends on how your car and van are wired of course. That was how our 10 year old Emerald worked, and was meant to work. It also depends on all the wiring, fuses and equipment being in working order.
As Caz said, you should have a battery in the caravan and when on a site your 12v power to lights and pump come from that.
Once you have EHU the charger in the van, assuming you have one, will charge the battery. The 220v sockets, fridge, heating etc will also work. Even with EHU you should still fit a battery.
not sure about your van but our lunar has a switch that has to be switched in to the on position on the 12volt control panel before the water pump will run,our water system has a pressure switch which activates when a tap is opened. Most difficult to advise where to start with out seeing how your system is wired up.
Thanks all for your responses (silly me didn't have this one on notify so hadn't reaslised there were more!) Anyway our hookup to mains adapter arrived and the pump now hums...which unfortunately seems to mean both our microswitches are always on - boo!!! Does however suggest the pump works which is good! (not yet had time to dump it in water and confirm)
Van does have a leisure battery, but bearing in mind the poor thing is currently reading 1.78V I think it is waaaaaaaaaay beyond saving! Thanks jennifernn for pre-emptively answering a Q I've just asked re. the EHU charging the 12V!
Radio is also live...admit now I AM that useless a woman - hadn't spotted that it had a fascia which was half-off!!! It worked fine once we had the EHU on and the front on properly - yay!
So, currently we are happier! We have lights, fridge, radio and probably water pump off EHU. Still working on fridge from gas and gas heater should they be needed (have just spotted a control knob on the gas line near the fridge hidden away in a cupboard, so think this might be the trick for the fridge!) We are definitely getting there, and the van is confirmed as 'go-awayable-in!!! (As a kid we used to do water from a jerry can, so not averse to this if neccessary lol)
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: Newbie Electric Questions
Checked the fuse on the socket switch on the HM4V power control board, but that seemed fine. Cannot check the water pump one as the little grey fuse holder slot is mashed so it wont turn round enough to come out 
as it wont run if dry
)
Thanks jennifernn for pre-emptively answering a Q I've just asked re. the EHU charging the 12V! 
(As a kid we used to do water from a jerry can, so not averse to this if neccessary lol)
