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Subject Topic: Abi Marauder 280.2 - Advice please....
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PersonLeon08
27/7/2014 at 4:37pm
 Location: North West
 Outfit: 1 Tent and A Caravan. View Leon08's Profile View Profile   Reply to Leon08 Reply   Quote Leon08 Quote  
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Hi all,

We picked up our 1st Caravan last Thursday, a 1990 Abi Marauder 280.2 (2 Berth) and it was mainly bought for a specific reason but will be used for general getting away. (Usually long weekends).

It is all original (We think) and with some additions:

Microwave.
Cascade 2 Water Heater.
Rivera Gas Heater
Battery Charger.
Thetford 465 Porta.

Harrison Awning.

And has the usual wear and tear I would have thought for a Caravan of its age and has some 'adaptations' by the previous owner:

The pump for the cold water tap is wired seperately (See Pics and you can see the wire as well) and not sure why yet, the hot water tap works when turned on but the cold water tap needs it to be 'turned on' to get water from the tap.

The light that runs off the battery in the Kitchen Area isn't working and they had a mains light socket 'wired' up when hooked up.

There is a normal Battery Charger connected to the battery and just works off the EHU when plugged in.

Off the top of my head that's it for now and going to spend a few days cleaning and cleaning and some more cleaning....

Just wanted to ask if anything in particular we should be looking for or any pointers as to why some of the things mentioned don't work, as not sure of any 'common' faults.

We will be removing the Gas Heater in due course and need a new Skylight (If it can't be fixed) as it came off whilst bringing it home, found it all complete when traced the route back home and new flooring ('Laminate' in Kitchen Area and Carpet in 'Lounge/Bedroom')

Apart from that we love it, one of the kids had 2 friends stay over in it last night and they said it was great, it will now be known as the 'Sleepover Hotel' by the kids when in the garden....











Post last edited on 27/07/2014 16:46:08

Post last edited on 27/07/2014 20:01:42

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Personalpiner
27/7/2014 at 6:08pm
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Well done looks a great little caravan and in good condition.
The mains electrics i would not trust at all, looking at the photo, i think i would start again from scratch and re instal it.
Or for now buy a rcd EHU unit from a camping shop as a temporary measure.
What are the wires for by the door, is that a light bulb holder????
Love the end kitchen most of my caravans have had end kitchens like this, by far the best layout, good to stand by the door when your cooking
More pictures please


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alpiner


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PersonLeon08
27/7/2014 at 7:59pm
 Location: North West
 Outfit: 1 Tent and A Caravan. View Leon08's Profile View Profile   Reply to Leon08 Reply   Quote Leon08 Quote  
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Thanks Alpiner, the mains are OK and being used/tested now, it has an RCD installed and that switch is hooked up to a water pump for the cold water flow as the tap doesn't work, the hot one does, hard to explain but I'll get some pics up which will show what I mean. (Excuse my terminology as don't know what everything is called)

We do already have an EHU as a back up, as we still camp :) but will double check the wiring when I can get the wife out of it....:)

Yes it is a Light Bulb Holder, it is wired from the Socket you can see, by the last owner, as the built in kitchen light doesn't work, don't know if it's as simple as a busted bulb or loose wire until I check.

We love the layout and believe it has only had 2 owners and the last owner had it 12 yrs and it's a keeper as it's perfect for what we need it for.

More pics coming soon....:)


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2016:

Leeds Festival


PersonLeon08
27/7/2014 at 9:07pm
 Location: North West
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Rear Light to be replaced.


After a quick clean of the 'green' stuff.


Box to be removed.


More removal of 'moss/green gunk' from one side, only just started cleaning it yesterday so more to do.


From the pics below you can see (hopefully) how the water is pumped into the Caravan, the wire (Switch) hangs out of the Kitchen window and attaches to the pump with the socket and is dropped into water container, not ideal as the wires are outside.


We do have the Blue socket but wires have been cut, so until I can get a tester on them not sure what's happening.


Found out there is no bulb in the kitchen light so going to try one tomorrow and hope that's all it is.

Post last edited on 27/07/2014 21:14:41


Post last edited on 27/07/2014 22:16:37

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2016:

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Personalbee
27/7/2014 at 11:29pm
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Hi, we had a 450ct marauder 4 berth as our first van, same colour and year. to this day we still miss the magazine rack it was a brill idea. and was a cracking caravan. If it had,nt been then perhaps we would not be still caravanning 12 years on. Ah ya pictures take me back. my tip would be bin the scabby locker on the front.


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PersonLeon08
28/7/2014 at 12:18pm
 Location: North West
 Outfit: 1 Tent and A Caravan. View Leon08's Profile View Profile   Reply to Leon08 Reply   Quote Leon08 Quote  
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Quote: ....Ah ya pictures take me back. my tip would be bin the scabby locker on the front.


Hi, glad it brings back good memories and yes, the 'locker' is coming off today and see what surprises await me behind it....will update later.


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2016:

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PersonLeon08
28/7/2014 at 7:28pm
 Location: North West
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Looks a lot better in my eyes but like something is missing....:)



More cleaning, it's slow as it's hot here....





And bought our 1st 'bit' for it today, £7.49 from Aldi.



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2016:

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Person1Dartmoor Camper
28/7/2014 at 10:55pm
 Location: West Devon
 Outfit: ABI Marauder View 1Dartmoor Camper's Profile View Profile   Reply to 1Dartmoor Camper Reply   Quote 1Dartmoor Camper Quote  
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We hadn't caravanned for a while and have recently bought a 1987 ABI Marauder 450s. A cracking little van that we've spent some time in already and is going to France in less than two weeks. Like yours ours had some interesting wiring and it now almost completely re-wired. We discovered that what should have been the fog light on the rear of the van had been re-wired to run the fridge whilst towing because the other hook-up had been broken! I think most owners make a few adaptations part of the charm, but you do need to ensure they're safe.
And yes Albee we have a magazine rack. Love it.

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Dartmoor Camper
Managed to persuade husband that we can go back to a caravan!
Booked 2014
Feb in Looe
Aug Camping Du Vieux Verger


PersonLeon08
29/7/2014 at 1:17am
 Location: North West
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Got to double check the wiring before we use it properly, and see if I can put the wiring back to original (New wire where needed) as there are a couple of 'changes' that might have been an easy fix, everything does work (Water Heater, Fridge, lights etc and was going to put some LED lights in but the original lights are really charming and suit the interior so going to leave them as they are.

There is a Battery Charger that's been added but it's just one you plug in when hooked up, nice and simple.




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2016:

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PersonLeon08
30/7/2014 at 7:20pm
 Location: North West
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What is wrong, we don't do anything on the Caravan for a day and all of a sudden start feeling guilty....: )

Anyway, just thought we'd 'try' the windbreakers that came with it:



Dug out the old camping Kettle and thought I'd try the Magazine rack :)





Thought I'd have a quick look at some electrics today and maybe another thread needed as it may be lost in this thread but....

This pic shows a wire coming from a switch inside (See earlier Pic) which is a direct connection from the battery that then connects to a Whale Pump and used in the Water Container but you need to 'switch' it on to get water to the cold tap.





The original fitting (Blue) is connected up (2 wires) but is only showing 0.20 on a Multimeter and the taps do 'click' when turning them, I've only just started looking and had to stop to do something else so will continue tomorrow but anyone got any ideas. (Part of my problem is I'm colour blind and the 2 feed wires are both 'blue' to the taps so struggling a little to trace and having loads of those little blue connectors isn't helping as some of the wires are different colours....!

So to finish, just trying different Colours inside:



Or does anyone have a wiring diagram for this Caravan or a 'generic' one to follow as would really like to re-wire eventually to our own needs.

Post last edited on 30/07/2014 19:29:50

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2016:

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PersonLeon08
31/7/2014 at 7:55pm
 Location: North West
 Outfit: 1 Tent and A Caravan. View Leon08's Profile View Profile   Reply to Leon08 Reply   Quote Leon08 Quote  
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So, the wiring for the tap was bugging me so had a quick look today and think it looks a lot better and no switches or loose wires, all working direct from Taps now, just had to temp seal the socket but will rewire and seal properly later on, and got the vent back, albeit for now as it needs replacing.





All the wires that where there before have now gone and the direct live wire is history, just needed to run the earth to the original socket and run a wire from one of the microswitch connections to the live side and think I got lucky as all the taps now works and the pump just comes on when it's supposed to.

Post last edited on 31/07/2014 20:01:40

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2016:

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PersonLeon08
05/8/2014 at 2:46pm
 Location: North West
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On to the electrics now and a bit if a mess, (Pics to follow), whilst not a disaster they are just a bit all over.

The only inline fuses (30 & 10 Amp) in the whole Caravan were to a wire outside of the Caravan and went nowhere....!

There was a direct feed from the battery to the taps but that's been removed and taps now all working.

Scotchlocks everywhere and quite confusing at first but going to remove them all and change to Terminal Blocks for now until we decide whether to go all out and throw some money at it.

The Battery is a 43AH Car Battery that looks older than me....: ) but it does work I suppose and for now whilst on the Garden will do for testing....and still cleaning....

Just to finish, the original Table has now been reinstated, there was no leg and the edging needs replacing but made a makeshift leg from a Windbreaker Pole, not ideal but it can now be used.





Post last edited on 05/08/2014 22:10:06

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2016:

Leeds Festival


PersonLeon08
06/8/2014 at 6:55pm
 Location: North West
 Outfit: 1 Tent and A Caravan. View Leon08's Profile View Profile   Reply to Leon08 Reply   Quote Leon08 Quote  
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Sorted, well for now, all checked (As the lights would flicker if moved the wires) and looks a bit better, if we decide to keep the Caravan then we'll update all the electrics but until then, everything works and has Fuses now.

I've isolated the 12S Socket completely for now as not needed and will reinstate when we update the electrics and new Battery.



Why do people use these, aren't they only rated at 1Amp so thought they'd be no good....anyway to the bin.



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2016:

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Personalbee
06/8/2014 at 10:59pm
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Hi, 30yrs ago an auto electrician showed me how to use a scotch-lok connector. HE THREW IT ON THE FLOOR AND STAMPED ON IT!!


PersonHOPPO1961
06/8/2014 at 11:31pm
 Location: manchester
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Excelent post and a fantastic read well done and good luck

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The sausages are burning


PersonJanx
07/8/2014 at 8:04pm
 Location: lincolnshire
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What a little gem you have got yourself it looks very clean and tidy. I really had a twinge of nostalgia , we had one of these and loved it.
I can tell it has gone to a good home, hope you have many happy trips away, I'm guessing you won't be short of people approaching you and wanting to ask about it on sites.

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**********
HAPPY DAYS
**********



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