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No doubt this has been asked before, but my searching has failed me!

Currently I am only able to run our 'new' caravn off the 12S auxiliary from the car (awaiting delivery of a EHU -> main 3 pin plug). Lights seem to work fine, but can't get any sense from the water pump or sockets. Suppose sockets makes sense as anything plugged into these will be expecting 240V, but I thought the water pump would work  Checked the fuse on the socket switch on the HM4V power control board, but that seemed fine. Cannot check the water pump one as the little grey fuse holder slot is mashed so it wont turn round enough to come out  

So. SHOULD the water pump be working? Is there any other way I can check if it's the wiring or the pump itself?

TIA

Mel

Whilst connected to the car (with engine running) You can use the fridge if it's 3 way and also the on board charger to charge your leisure battery.

I understand that the only things that will run off 12V Leisure battery is a couple of lights, the alarm and the motor mover. Now I am questioning myself

I am no expert and I'm sure someone will correct me if I am wrong

water pump should be 12v so it should work off the car battery or any other battery. it should be on a blade type fuse, check that isnt blown. if that is unserviceable it might be best to get a auto spark to replace it. could also be a dirty contact on one of the tap microswitches

I assume you have the submersible pump in a bucket of water as it wont run if dry

Thanks all.

Tried kitchen and bathroom taps, so does this answer the microswitch question? (I may know about fuses but that's about as far as I go...beyond that the dumb woman comes into play )

Yes, not THAT dumb a woman - sub pump is in the aquaroll

Connecting directly to a 12V comes under the 'dumb woman' category - wouldn't know where to start (especailly as all the wires seem to disappear inside the 'van somewhere...) but I could cadge some help from my Dad!

Similarly the radio/ cassette fitted is dead as a dodo...and no idea what this is wired into on the panel of course...is all sounding like a 'take the panel off and see what the damage is' job...  (And yes, private sale and beginning to sound less and less like the bargain we thought it was...hey, you live and learn right!)

Quote: Originally posted by bikermel76 on 02/11/2008

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Yes, not THAT dumb a woman - sub pump is in the aquaroll

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okay I had to ask the question, sorry

12v wiring in a van isnt complicated it is when a load of prev owners modify and bodge stuff then it becomes a problem. if the panel looks like a rats nest of wires and your dad or any mates are competent with electrics then rewire the thing, it wont cost a lot for materials, I know the UKCS legend that is papa pip rewired his van for both 240v and 12v and it took him about a day. The fixed-it club should be able to offer advice. Believe me compared to the dreaded damp electrics are a doddle

The 12v system in the caravan works from an onboard leisure battery, not from the car - that's only for when you're towing and it keeps the fridge cool and charges the battery if the caravan has a battery charger.

Is there a leisure battery fitted?

If you plug into the 12s, ignition off, you should get 12v lights and pump working.  With engine on, you should only get fridge and battery charging.  

 If you have a 3 way switch, to run off the car while not towing set it to "car".  Otherwise set it to "van".  Using from the car battery is really only for emergencies.

All this depends on how your car and van are wired of course.  That was how our 10 year old Emerald worked, and was meant to work.  It also depends on all the wiring, fuses and equipment being in working order.

As Caz said, you should have a battery in the caravan and when on a site your 12v power to lights and pump come from that.

Once you have EHU the charger in the van, assuming you have one, will charge the battery.  The 220v sockets, fridge, heating etc will also work.  Even with EHU you should still fit a battery.

not sure about your van but our lunar has a switch that has to be switched in to the on position on the 12volt control panel before the water pump will run,our water system has a pressure switch which activates when a tap is opened.
Most difficult to advise where to start with out seeing how your system is wired up.

Dave

Thanks all for your responses (silly me didn't have this one on notify so hadn't reaslised there were more!) Anyway our hookup to mains adapter arrived and the pump now hums...which unfortunately seems to mean both our microswitches are always on - boo!!! Does however suggest the pump works which is good! (not yet had time to dump it in water and confirm)

Van does have a leisure battery, but bearing in mind the poor thing is currently reading 1.78V I think it is waaaaaaaaaay beyond saving!  Thanks jennifernn for pre-emptively answering a Q I've just asked re. the EHU charging the 12V!

Radio is also live...admit now I AM that useless a woman - hadn't spotted that it had a fascia which was half-off!!! It worked fine once we had the EHU on and the front on properly - yay!

So, currently we are happier! We have lights, fridge, radio and probably water pump off EHU. Still working on fridge from gas and gas heater should they be needed (have just spotted a control knob on the gas line near the fridge hidden away in a cupboard, so think this might be the trick for the fridge!) We are definitely getting there, and the van is confirmed as 'go-awayable-in!!!  (As a kid we used to do water from a jerry can, so not averse to this if neccessary lol)

Thanks again all for the help and advice!

Mel