I have just bought an Elddis whirlwind - 1989 so quite old . i'm new to caravanning and have recently been to devon on my first trip. When the van was hooked up to the mains, the lights, fridge and sockets worked but reading lights and water pump are powered from the battery. After 5 or so days the battery light on the zig panel turned from green(normal) to red (low) and then the reading lights and water pump stopped working. I then couldn't work out how to charge the battery from the mains using the DCU unit. I turned the zig unit off and on, checked fuses and that nothing had tripped and tried different combinations of switches on the panel but the battery wouldn't charge. The zig instructions manual tells me that I can charge a battery using the mains hook via the DCU up but it doesn't tell me how and there's no obvious dial or switch on the unit.
Your battery cannot be completely U/S or it would not have lasted 5 days on site. I have a similar problem and solved it by fitting a smart charger purchased off e-bay for around £14. When I purchased the van it was fitted with a normal battery charger but this eventually overcharged the battery.
Not sure which Zig unit you have but there is a simple You tube video Here which may help. The zig charger when switched on should give a maintenance charge to your leisure battery. I use a smart charger every month or so by removing the battery and charging. When the caravan isn't used I have an hook up but the smart charger is best for the battery.
aw thanks to all who have replied, - much appreciated and I will get going with your suggestions, especially you tube!! - sorry rob/tina - don't know how old the battery is.. Just in case I can't solve the problem - as i'm not great with electrics, Lol - could anybody recommend a mobile caravan repair man in NW Manchester area. I have contacted a couple prior to registering on this site, but they don't work with older vans. thanks
What part of the country are you in please? Surprised your local ones won't work with older vans, newer ones should have less issues older ones should be a good source of revenue for them. You could search for one local to you by using the MCEA website Link
I had the exact same issue. The transformer thingy bob was not charging the battery when on mains. Find the transformer thingy bob, looks like a square metal block found near your electric fuses/mcb's
, mine was inside the mcb box. Mine has a kettle lead connection which have a reputation of wobbly out o try that first. With a meter you can check power in and power out to be sure.
Quote: Originally posted by Geoff48 on 15/8/2017
What part of the country are you in please? Surprised your local ones won't work with older vans, newer ones should have less issues older ones should be a good source of revenue for them. You could search for one local to you by using the MCEA website Link
I had the same problem here in Northampton, asked a highly recommended engineer to look at my motor mover and skylights, once he found out I had an "older" van, he didn`t wanna know
------------- What`s done is done, cannot be undone, but can be done again.