I spent the afternoon today on the caravan trying to further investigate the charger/battery problems. This included carrying out some test suggested by folks on this and other forums.
Before starting I checked out the voltage at the battery TERMINALS whilst the terminals were still connected to the 'van leads - the 'vsn had been on EHU for a further 3 days with the 12v master switch off on the main panel.
No EHU/No Ld No EHU/load EHU/load EHU/NO 12v load
12.5v 10.5v 10.5v 12.75v 'Vanmeter
13.48v 12.48v 12.26v 13.73v Multimeter
With the battery disconnected the battery TERMINAL readings were 12.v & 0.2 amps (Multimeter set to 20A)
I then tested to see if the battery is receiving a charge by disconnecting the red pole and connecting the red lead of the multimeter to the battery red lead and the black lead of the multimeter to the battery's positive terminal. The multimeter was set to 20A. I got the following readings:
All 12 v equipment off (not quite all as there was something I could not identify drawing a small current) Minus 0.1 A
One 12v light switched on Minus 0.91A
All 12v ligths switched on Minus 13.6A
The reading were the same with or without the EHU.
I then checked the disconnected battery LEADS these showed 0v with the EHU on or off
I then moved inside to investigate the charger, This is a little complicated as the charger slides into a plastic housing which, also, houses the mains elcbs and 12v fuses. The plastic housing cover is a VERY tight fit and hard to remove.
When I slid the charger out I discovered that it was labelled on the base!!!
PS276-1-BC Issue 7
PSU Type 2014, 20A
Output: Voltage :13.8v Current 12A
I then checked the leads to the PSU with my multimeter with the 'van on EHU
The mains lead gave a reading of 230 volts where it plugged into the PSU
The output lead gave readings of 9.55v and 0.2A
So the charger does seem to be giving some output (9.55v) but there is no corresponding output at the battery terminals. I was unable to find any other fuses between the PSU output and the battery terminals. I was unable to check inside the charger case for fuses as it is rivited shut.
I'd be very grateful to receive any comments from those who have more knowledge than me. Is it the charger and/or the PSU that have "had it"?
I'm still puzzled as to why I'm getting a zero reading at the battery terminals when they are disconnected and the 'van is on EHU as the PSU has an output of 9.5 volts.
I'd appreciate any other comments on the situation.
I've just been out to double check my test my figures.
EHU connected/battery disconnected the 12v appliances DON't work.
Battery connected 12v appliances DO work. EHU on or off does not effect this.
Multimeter readings today
Battery LEADS disconnected from the battery(12 v Load is all 12v lights and appliances switched on) BUT 12v applianced DO NOT work
No EHU/No 12v Load 0.2v; No EHU/12v Load 0.0v; EHU/No 12 v Load 0.4v; EHU/12v Load 0.0v
Battery TERMINALS with battery connected No 12v Load 12.37v: 12v Load 11.8v. These readings are the same with/without EHU.
I have again thoroughly checked for fuses/poor connections between battery and PSU/charger - there are none apart from the Battery fuse in the main fuse panel which is okay,
I think it looks as though the PSU/charger is at fault as the battery does seem to holding the charge quite well.
Do you agree?!
|'m still puzzled as to why the multimeter showed 9.55v/0.2A at the PSU output but nothing at the battery lead terminals when disconnected from the battery.
I thought you would like to hear the conclusion to this saga.
After carefully considering all the advice I'd and in spite of advice on repairing the PSU/Charger I decided that I would replace the failed unit with a new one.
I felt that although it could be repaired other components might, also, be near the end of their lives and fail. I was, also, not too confident on fiddling around INSIDE the PSU.
I had googled on Ebay and found a supplier offering the PSU for £95, inclusive of postage. This price was considerably better than the one of £148+p&p quoted by Bailey Caravans!!!
I ordered the PSU, the supplier promptly delivered it. As I had some spare time today, I fitted it in the 'van. I disconnected the battery and EHU and connected the PSU up to the mains and 12v leads. I then reconnected the EHU and tested the PSU by turning on the 12v lights. I had a bad moment as the 12v lights failed to operate - to my relief I then noticed that I had knocked the ELCB off whilst opening the PSU housing. As soon as I turned on the mains elcb the lights illuminated.
I then replaced the PSU in the plastic housing and closed it all up. I tested and a 13.3v multimeter reading at the disconnected battery terminals with the PSU on and the EHU connected.
I am quite pleased with myself for finally getting it sorted out!!!
I'm not sure about whether the battery is U/S. I have put it on charge on my Halfords' automatic charger. When it is fully charged I will leave it for a few days and then test it with my multimeter to see it has held the charge. I will then replace the battery if necessary.
Interestingly the manufacturer's instructions for the charger DO so say that it CAN be used with no battery in the system. This is despite the fact that my Bailey caravan manual says that the PSU should NOT be used without a battery in the system.
Anyway a BIG THANK YOU to all who have advised me over the last few weeks - I've learnt a lot "on the way"!!!
Hi Tim I’m mark I had a problem with mine not charging, we was away at the time and and the 240 and 12v stopped working. I took the front of the main electric panel off on our Bailey ranger 510/4 series 5 2006 and noticed the 2 wires connecting the charger unit had come loose, so screwed them back in and hey presto it worked. Hope this helped as it’s the first time I’ve joined any forums and only new to caravanning.