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Topic: 12v dc circuit not working

sxw17

30/5/2016 at 11:25pm
Location: Newtown Mid Wales
Outfit: Mitsubishi Shogun 3.2 D-id Auto

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I have no 12 volt equipment working in my van right now, they were working earlier in the day however it appears the leisure battery is dead, would this break the 12v circuit? The rocker switch with Car/Off/Van even in the off position there is no 12v circuit. The charger light is illuminated and all fuses are ok, the 240v equipment works as it should but nothing at all on 12 volts dc. Its a 2001 Abbey Spectrum 520.

tango55

30/5/2016 at 11:47pm
Location: Lichfield
Outfit: Coachman Amara 450

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Try connecting the caravan towing plug into the car towing socket and see if the 12 volt circuit works then.
If it does then it could be a defective leisure battery but you need to confirm this with a voltmeter and see what the reading is.

old chap

31/5/2016 at 5:05am
Location: Sitingbourne
Outfit: baily champaign

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in most instances the 12 volt system should work if you are on hookup even with no battery fitted . it possible that the inline fuse between the battery & the distribution/fuse box has blown .these can be a bit hard to find but are usually situated inside the van behind the battery box

Crypto

31/5/2016 at 8:36am
Location: Sussex
Outfit: 2007 Eriba Triton 430GT

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I'm not sure but I seem to recall that the 12V circuits don't work when connected to the car. I believe there is a "habitation relay" that stops that happening?

I also think you should have the switch set to caravan all the time. I never changed mine.

tango55

31/5/2016 at 10:01am
Location: Lichfield
Outfit: Coachman Amara 450

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Quote: Originally posted by Crypto on 31/5/2016
I'm not sure but I seem to recall that the 12V circuits don't work when connected to the car. I believe there is a "habitation relay" that stops that happening?

I also think you should have the switch set to caravan all the time. I never changed mine.

I think you may be right actually because it now comes to mind that the service engineer said that the caravan's 12 volt power from the car only charges the leisure battery when the ignition is switched on but doesn't function the caravan lights etc. That only happens when the ignition is switched off to which the caravan's 12 power then comes from the leisure battery so to the OP, please ignore my first post as it won't work as Crypto has said.

old chap

31/5/2016 at 5:59pm
Location: Sitingbourne
Outfit: baily champaign

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with the switch set to car you can use the car battery for the caravan 12 electrics (not the fridge though),if the car is still connected to the van, how ever as soon as the engine is started the 12v supply to the van is cut out & the fridge 12v operation & battery charging comes into operation once the revs exceed 1000rpm . switched to caravan the 12v supply is picked up from the caravan battery

sxw17

31/5/2016 at 9:51pm
Location: Newtown Mid Wales
Outfit: Mitsubishi Shogun 3.2 D-id Auto

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Thank you for all the replies, I have checked the inline fuse behind the battery box and that is ok (20 Amp) However there is no voltage coming from charger/transformer to that fuse. The battery is totally dead, I've had the multi meter on it. I cant try the car socket as I only have the 12n socket, I'm waiting for the 12s upgrade kit to arrive. As I said earlier I did have 12 volt operation yesterday morning but only when I had the rocker switch between Car/Caravan and according to the hand book thats where it should be unless I want to chrge the battery via car or caravan. I'm beginning to think its the transformer or the 12 volt isolator switch above the door.

sxw17

01/6/2016 at 9:23pm
Location: Newtown Mid Wales
Outfit: Mitsubishi Shogun 3.2 D-id Auto

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I've just put the car battery on the caravan to test the 12v circuit, and everything works fine, so it looks like I've a dud battery. I'm going to purchase a new leisure battery now but at the back of my mind I still wonder if the caravan charger is working.

old chap

02/6/2016 at 9:08pm
Location: Sitingbourne
Outfit: baily champaign

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if you connect a test meter to the
positive & negative battery leads you should get 13.8 v when you connect the EHU to the mains & see it drop when you disconnect ehu

sxw17

08/6/2016 at 9:02pm
Location: Newtown Mid Wales
Outfit: Mitsubishi Shogun 3.2 D-id Auto

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Thanks for all your suggestions, I've purchased a new leisure battery and everything appears to be working/charging. We're going off this weekend so that will give it a good test. Thinking of going to Carrog Station camp site near llangollen.

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