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Subject Topic: Help Brand New Caravan and Battery Dead! Post Reply Post New Topic
Personryandlo
20/4/2015 at 9:02pm
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Hi, we have bought a brands new swift hi style 586 and only been away in it once, i popped over to it to get it ready for another putting and tried to put the lights on but the power panel would not light up. All i can think of is the battery is dead but it's brand new and we didn't leave anything switched on we turned the power off on the power panel above the door.

is there anything else we are supposed to switch off ? I even thought the solar panel was supposed to charge the battery ? Very confused..


PersonGrampian91
20/4/2015 at 9:50pm
 Location: Midlands
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What about the alarm and smoke detectors?

Some panels draw a small amount of power even when off.

You need to unplug the battery and ideally still charge it monthly. It will lose its charge over time even when sitting indoors.

When you switched the board off did it also cut the power from the solar panel?


PersonG7ACU
21/4/2015 at 9:37pm
 Location: West Mids
 Outfit: Swift Ace Statesman & X-Trail 2.0 View G7ACU's Profile View Profile   Reply to G7ACU Reply   Quote G7ACU Quote  
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I got caught out on this and had overlooked the shut-down push button on the main electrical panel (under the seat, not the one above the door). This button is on the top surface towards the left and needs pushing so the button is released when you leave the van. Failure to do so can cause battery drain. Shut down other stuff first (panel over door etc).
Obviously push the button back in while you're on site.

Just for info, the alarm uses it's own integral battery which it periodically recharges from the caravan leisure battery, and this is the main reason for the solar panel, just to keep the main battery topped up.

-------------
Paul

Every day's a school day!


Personryandlo
22/4/2015 at 8:13am
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Oh blumming Eck Paul, I bet that's what it is!! We only had a brief demo and I couldn't remember this, so will plugging in the caravan to the electrics re charge the battery if it's completely flat or do we need a new one. Do we need that button switched on or off to recharge? How do we know the solar panel is working? Thanks so much for third info, we ere at a lost

Thanks bianca


Persontrog100
22/4/2015 at 8:42pm
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it will charge up okay if it hasnt been left completely flat for too long.. too long being "weeks"..

the only way to find out is try it and see.. it should be okay.. but i have lost a few batteries over the years this way..

trog


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Personcamperman50
22/4/2015 at 9:55pm
 Location: aberdeen
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Bianca there should be a cupboard above the fridge/ sink/cooker with 2 led lights for solar panel shows if working eg input / output red not working green ok      Hope this helps Alan


Personryandlo
23/4/2015 at 1:46pm
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thanks all most helpful, really appreciate - we are currently re-charging lol


PersonG7ACU
23/4/2015 at 10:28pm
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Sorry Bianca, only just caught up.

I'm sure the power button needs to be on again for charging off the mains, not 100% but just put "on" again anyway, there will be no harm in doing so.

As mentioned, the solar charge controller will be in an upper cupboard. Small black box, two LED lamps which will be lit green when panel delivering suitable charge.

This link to Sargent might be useful too, this is direct to their support page for the solar panel as they supply Swift with the electronics.

-------------
Paul

Every day's a school day!



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