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Subject Topic: CARAVAN ELECTRICS Post Reply Post New Topic
Personrosimary
03/3/2016 at 7:05pm
 Location: Midlands
 Outfit: Lunar Quaker 464 Toyota avensis estate View rosimary's Profile View Profile   Reply to rosimary Reply   Quote rosimary Quote  
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Hi, can I ask if anyone knows why when everything is switched off in the van (including radio) when I reconnect the battery a small spark comes from the positive terminal. this came to light as I recently changed my main battery.the caravan is 2012 model. the only area I am uncertain about is the alarm (although not set)which I understand has its own battery which is topped up by the caravan battery.
thanks


Personnavver
03/3/2016 at 7:12pm
 Location: West country
 Outfit: Mondeo View navver's Profile View Profile   Reply to navver Reply   Quote navver Quote  
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The fridge needs to be switched to off to isolate control circuits. The voltmeter LED always remains on and draws a very small current.

The alarm I don't know but does it use its own battery?


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Personrosimary
03/3/2016 at 7:48pm
 Location: Midlands
 Outfit: Lunar Quaker 464 Toyota avensis estate View rosimary's Profile View Profile   Reply to rosimary Reply   Quote rosimary Quote  
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thanks will check the fridge. the alarm has its own battery rechargable from the caravan battery if required


Personnaturlist123
03/3/2016 at 7:57pm
 Location: Southport
 Outfit: Adria Adora Premium Yeti 4x4 run about View naturlist123's Profile View Profile   Reply to naturlist123 Reply   Quote naturlist123 Quote  
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most vans have a RDC unit in the wardrobe if trip all switches and you still get spark then something is wired wrong in van.                                           ,If no spark then supply to alarm battery from van battery is isolated.       ,Most van alarms are run of van battery that is why battery flattens 10/14 days after put in storage as alarms us a lot of juice.                        ,if yours has a seperate batt for a alarm I should think it will be charged of your van zig unit not from van battery.


PersonSevenexile
04/3/2016 at 6:55am
 Location: South Wales
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Agree with the above about the alarm system, the battery in the alarm system is purely a back up battery, if the lesiure battery is connected it takes its power from there. Also if you have a swift van, check on your consumer unit for a system shutdown button. When the van is not in use this should be off, with it on it allows a small drain as its always providing 12v to the control panel and any digital clocks etc


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Personfreeatlast
04/3/2016 at 10:01am
 Location: Teesside
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Quote: Originally posted by rosimary on 03/3/2016Hi, can I ask if anyone knows why when everything is switched off in the van (including radio) when I reconnect the battery a small spark comes from the positive terminal. this came to light as I recently changed my main battery.the caravan is 2012 model. the only area I am uncertain about is the alarm (although not set)which I understand has its own battery which is topped up by the caravan battery.
thanks



The radio is never switched off. There are usually 2 power leads to it, one for the "main" power, which is turned off by the power button, however there is a permanent live which draws a small current to keep your station memory active. It could be this.



PersonGERONA
04/3/2016 at 11:26am
 Location: Mazarron spain
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Why not use a small solar panel as has been said the radio, LED displays and alarm all use small amounts of power even when not being used.


Personmickeyb
04/3/2016 at 7:18pm
 Location: Kent Coast
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Connect the positive first and tighten it up, then connect the neg, ground, and you shouldn't get any sparks. Reverse the procedure when disconnecting ie. disconnect ground first. This then makes it 'Open circuit' and no current can flow, thus no spark........Mick


Personnavver
04/3/2016 at 7:35pm
 Location: West country
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Quote: Originally posted by mickeyb on 04/3/2016
Connect the positive first and tighten it up, then connect the neg, ground, and you shouldn't get any sparks. Reverse the procedure when disconnecting ie. disconnect ground first. This then makes it 'Open circuit' and no current can flow, thus no spark........Mick


I'm not sure I follow the logic of this. The spark is caused by the current being interrupted when the terminal is removed from the battery post.

It does not matter which is disconnected first for this.

If the current is stopped from flowing any inductance in the circuit will cause a rise in voltage induced by the rapidly changing magnetic field. This causes the spark just like the old ignition coils on the car.

If no current were flowing when the terminal is removed there will be no spark.



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