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Subject Topic: Swift 1995 charger/ battery ? Post Reply Post New Topic
19/4/2009 at 8:54pm
 Location: forfar Scotland
 Outfit: Adria Altea DK542
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we are new to caravanning and unsure of what may or noty be wrong with our electrics.  When on site i hook up to electric.  Does this feed my battery charger / transformer?.   Should i leave the transformer / charger on when hooked up to electirc hook up?.  I ask this question because when we were hooked up and i switched off the trnsformer/ charger our lighting went dim in the van. When i switched transformer / charger on again  the lights resummed full illumination. I am unsure what is right and safe to do. 

I also thought that when hooked up the battery would be charged but after a short period my batery indicatos isplays red ? might this be due to the battery being flat in the firstplace and unable to recharge fully.

Also when we turn the water  pump switch on the switch heats up !!

any help on this  would be appreciated



19/4/2009 at 10:05pm
 Location: sheffield
 Outfit: Volvo XC70 D5 SE Lux - Bailey Senator
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When on site i hook up to electric. Does this feed my battery charger / transformer?. YES
Should i leave the transformer / charger on when hooked up to electirc hook up? YES
It looks like your charger is fine as the lights went brighter when the charger was turned on.
It looks like the battery is at fault. BUT
what worries me is this sentences.(Also when we turn the water pump switch on the switch heats up)
I have some questions
Does the pump work ok & What size fuse is fitted for the pump.


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19/4/2009 at 10:19pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: http: www.arcsystems.biz
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A 95 Swift should have a PMSx distribution panel to supply all the 240v systems and also an inbuilt transformer to supply '12 volts' both for a degree of battery charging and if required, to be used on it's own to supply the 12v systems.

To do this the transformer is limited to 13.8v instead of 14.4v which is the voltage required to fully charge a 12v battery, however the downside is the battery suffers over time through lack of a full charge. Upside is 13.8v is perfectly safe to leave connected to the battery permanently without fear of over charging or se on it's own without a battery

So, getting brighter lights is perfectly correct as with charger theres 13.8v and the battery can only supply 12.8v at best on it's own.

Overall this type 'charger' does a fairly good job and keeps the battery above 80% charged, it also has a powerful 10 or 12 amp output so therefore your battery must be about to give up or more likely already in need of replacement.

To keep the new battery in better condition it's useful to buy a modern 'smart' battery charger and Aldi or Lidl sell excellent ones for around £13. This you can use to fully charge the battery while the vans not in use and the van charger can then keep it topped up while in use.

As for the pump switch, either, the pumps worn and pulling to much current through the switch which will overheat the switch, or, the switch is worn, or, a poor connection on the back of the switch both of which can cause the switch to overheat.



19/4/2009 at 11:23pm
 Location: sheffield
 Outfit: Volvo XC70 D5 SE Lux - Bailey Senator
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This is why i asked this question
(Does the pump work ok & What size fuse is fitted for the pump.)

If the pump is worn & pulling to much current it should blow the fuse first. But if too bigger fuse is fitted it would be the next weakest link that would get hot & thats the switch.

Another question.
Have you tryed turning the switch on without the pump connected to see if it still gets hot.

Post last edited on 19/04/2009 23:34:51


20/4/2009 at 9:19pm
 Location: forfar Scotland
 Outfit: Adria Altea DK542
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These seem like great answers to me but unfortunately I can't make head nor tail of all the technical stuff.  I do know that when it was serviced last month we had to replace the pump switch.  I will let OH know that you have replied and hopefully he might have some answers for you!

Thanks Again!




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