Home

   Log in or Register



Insurance Quotes
forums Campsite Search Comp Directory tips virtual brochure Profile
Tent and Awning Reviews Competitions Caravans and Motorhomes For Sale Shopping Diary Advent Calendar

Advertisement

Message Forums

Welcome Guest Register Login Search The Forum Posts Since Last Visit
 Reception - All Forums
   Caravans and Caravanning -  Caravan Repairs, Servicing and Maintenance
Share   Post on X / Twitter  Share on Facebook  Email  Printer Friendly Version Print
Subject Topic: 12v powering issues Post Reply Post New Topic
14/1/2017 at 8:53pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: None Entered
View Jimmygunn's Profile View Profile   Reply to Jimmygunn Reply   Quote Jimmygunn Quote  
Joined: 23/11/2016

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   20

Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

Hi folks, please forgive my terminology on some things, but I'm a caravan newbie,
I've been doing cosmetics on an old Sprite major, mid 90'season
I've finally gotten round to getting a new battery as the old one was dead long ago, although the caravan works fine on the mains.

The problem I've got is the device the battery connects to, be it the "inverter/transformer/charger/adapter, which then powers into the caravan,

As soon as I attach the last crocodile clip to the battery (pop) the two 15 amp fuses in the "device" blow, I've done this three times and lost all six fuses, I'm not sure what the problem is, the caravan wasn't yet plugged into the device.
the battery is a 12v 100ah, I assumed the van would be fine with this, granted, the old battery I removed was a smaller 75ah, I'm at a loss at why the battery is blowing the device.


15/1/2017 at 1:53am
 Location: Lichfield
 Outfit: Coachman Amara 450
View tango55's Profile View Profile   Reply to tango55 Reply   Quote tango55 Quote  
Joined: 15/5/2008

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   9587

Site Reviews Total: 23
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 3  
Site Reviews 2021: 1  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 4  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 11
Site Nights 2021: 3
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 24
Site Nights 2018: 0

Sounds daft but have you got the positive and negative battery terminals connected the right way round?
Also, connect the battery terminals to the battery first before connecting to 240 volt mains as the reverse order could be also possibly be the source of the problem.
If the above proves to be correct then it is advisable to get an auto electrician to conduct a circuit test as they should be able to trace the underlying fault.


15/1/2017 at 11:26am
 Location: Hatfield Peverel Essex
 Outfit: Ace Supreme Twinstar Disco 3
View DaveS1's Profile View Profile   Reply to DaveS1 Reply   Quote DaveS1 Quote  
Joined: 16/3/2008

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   1509

Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

Hi. The higher rated battery is unlikely to be the cause.
I would go along with Tango55. You are either connecting the battery the wrong way round or there is a fault in the charger unit.
If there were a fault in the caravan wiring itself I would have expected a fuse to blow in the fuse box rather than the charger unit.
DaveS1


15/1/2017 at 2:22pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: None Entered
View Jimmygunn's Profile View Profile   Reply to Jimmygunn Reply   Quote Jimmygunn Quote  
Joined: 23/11/2016

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   20

Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

It must be the charger unit then as the unit wasn't yet plugged into the mains nor the caravan before the fuses blew, I'm going to install am a few pics I think, see if anyone can see the problem, it might be staring me in the face and I don't know it, where could I get a newer "unit" for a 93 caravan? And what's it called exactly? Is it a charger? Is it a power adapter?

I'm not sure if this means anything, but on the unit, it says 12v 10A
On the battery itself, it says 12v 100ah but also says initial current 30A

So could that be the problem? Is a 30A charge trying to go into a unit that says 10A? I'll post the pics shortly.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BPScXAnjt7m/

https://www.instagram.com/p/BPScVGHjpsV/


15/1/2017 at 8:23pm
 Location: Lichfield
 Outfit: Coachman Amara 450
View tango55's Profile View Profile   Reply to tango55 Reply   Quote tango55 Quote  
Joined: 15/5/2008

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   9587

Site Reviews Total: 23
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 3  
Site Reviews 2021: 1  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 4  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 11
Site Nights 2021: 3
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 24
Site Nights 2018: 0

The charger unit is actually called a transformer as it transforms 240 volt mains power to 13 volts and all you need to do is replace the unit with the same rating that is stated on the outer case of the old charger unit. The only difference is that the older one may be a white casing and a replacement a silver one but they cost around the £100 mark.
If you suspect the charger is defective I would get a voltmeter and connect to the battery terminals when on an electric supply and see what the output is. It should be around 13.5 volts without any fluctuation if it is working correctly.



In order to post a reply you will need to register, or if already registered please log in here

Prev       Next
Quick Links - All Forums - Caravan Repairs, Servicing and Maintenance - Top of Page

Printer Friendly Version Printable version      Share   Post on X / Twitter  Share on Facebook  Email


Latest News, Discounts and Competitions  see all...














3323 Visitors online !

Free UKCampsite.co.uk Window Sticker  -  Recommend to Friend  -  Add a Missing Campsite

[Message Forums]  [Caravan Sites & Camping]  [Company Listings]  [Features / Advice]  [Virtual Brochure]  [Shop!]
[Reception]  [Competitions]  [Caravans & Motorhomes For Sale]  [Event Diary]  [Contact Us]  [Tent Reviews



Please note we are not responsible for the content of external sites & any reviews represent the author's personal view only. Please report any error here. You may view our privacy and cookie policy and terms and conditions here. All copyrights & other intellectual property rights in the design and content of this web site are reserved to the UKCampsite.co.uk © 1999 - 2024


Advertisement


Advertisement


UKCampsite.co.uk
2024 Advent Calendar


Advent Calendar

24 Daily Prizes PLUS a Christmas Day Star Prize worth £999

Request a Reminder