Sorry gang its me again with what might seem like another silly question.1st time caravaner-just got 1989 Swift Challenger.Plugged in mains between house and caravan inlet,but only couple of spotlights in van will come on.Original ceiling lights,fridge,radio,carver control box etc not working.Have not got a leisure battery yet,will that make a difference.Also do they do a Caravanning For Idiots book-think I am in dire need of one.Good job I am not planning any trips till next year,its all very confusing compared to my tent!
The fridge should work on mains without a battery but water taps & lights sometimes need a battery & a caravan of that age may not have a charger anyway. As I said in yer other thread, try a battery but with a caravan of that age you need to assume the electrics could need some attention.
I find it strange that only the spotlights work as all the caravans I have known these have operated off 12 volt supply only and as you haven't got a battery this can't be the case. Regarding the 240 volt supply there should be an MCB (isolation box) very similar to what you have in your home. Have a look to see if this has tripped at all because if it has then you won't achieve any mains power until it has been switched back on. If you find that it has tripped and you reset it only to find it trips again then you obviously have a fault which will need urgent attention. Hope you sort the problem anyway.
Quote: Originally posted by tracy7 on 16/9/2011
Sorry gang its me again with what might seem like another silly question.1st time caravaner-just got 1989 Swift Challenger.Plugged in mains between house and caravan inlet,but only couple of spotlights in van will come on.Original ceiling lights,fridge,radio,carver control box etc not working.Have not got a leisure battery yet,will that make a difference.Also do they do a Caravanning For Idiots book-think I am in dire need of one.Good job I am not planning any trips till next year,its all very confusing compared to my tent!
Hi
Haynes Caravan Manual by John Wickersham a must for anyone looking for information on caravans
you need to fit a new battery before any more investigation on what works.as a rule only the two front lights work on 240volt.the other lights work off the battery.possible your carver water heater will not light on gas without a battery fitted if you have one.
------------- the only silly question is the one you do not ask.
Mine worked without a battery, It could be as said earlier a tripped switch, check this . Also there could be a metal unit next to the electric box it has vents in it to keep it cool this will be the charger for the battery you should see two wires which go into the battery box mine has a switch which lights up when its tuned on( if mine is set to off the 12v does not come on), Also on this unit there is a fuse mine has blown once when I had a fault with the electric toilet see if you have one and check it .also in the van there will be a controll panel somewhere each is different but again mine has a option to switch between car or caravan for power options if this is set to the wrong one it stops things working as well.
Under the seat where my electric box is there is 2 banks of fuses like the one on the battery charger unit(they are like the ones you get in your car the spade type) they may be in a different place in your search around see what you find take off panels which are screwed on there might be some hidden fuses as I found in mine.
Hi Tracy7 before you buy a new battery from a caravan shop I would get a quote from Alpha batteries at Rochdale you can get a quote on line or visit there shop in Rochdale which I did and saved a fortune and they will deliver next day also most batteries have five year warranty.Ian