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Subject Topic: Can a Geist run on 12V only? Post Reply Post New Topic
PersonMartinM
23/5/2016 at 5:37am
 Location: South Yorkshire
 Outfit: Geist Aktiv 495 View MartinM's Profile View Profile   Reply to MartinM Reply   Quote MartinM Quote  
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Hi

We've just bought a Geist (LMC) Activ 495. Love it, but I have a query... We'll be mostly on EHU when we're away, but the times there isn't any (eg, festivals or some CLs), can the 12V electrics kit, ie lights, water pump, loo flush(!) be run just off the caravan battery? The 12V system only seems to work when there's EHU also attached. Am I missing something, or is this the way they're built (and is there a work-around)? I'm new to the ways of 'proper' caravans!

Thanks, Martin


PersonRob and Tina
23/5/2016 at 8:53am
 Location: Royal Forest of Dean
 Outfit:  Swift Major 4SB View Rob and Tina's Profile View Profile   Reply to Rob and Tina Reply   Quote Rob and Tina Quote  
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If you have a battery fitted and it is in good condition then the 12 volt system should work without any problem. You may want to change the lights to LED bulbs to save power and if you are off hook up for more than a couple of days you may need a solar panel to top up the battery.

Rob


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Personold chap
23/5/2016 at 5:49pm
 Location: Sitingbourne
 Outfit: baily champaign View old chap's Profile View Profile   Reply to old chap Reply   Quote old chap Quote  
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many continental vans are manufactured with out a battery or charger so if yours is one of these you will need a charger for the battery fitted also many continental vans do not have the facility to operate the fridge when being towed


Persontparkes
23/5/2016 at 9:47pm
 Location: sunny nottingham
 Outfit: Lunar Clubman View tparkes's Profile View Profile   Reply to tparkes Reply   Quote tparkes Quote  
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Hi Martin, we have run our Geist without hookup for a couple of days with no problem. Might be worth checking your battery is taking a charge...


PersonMartinM
24/5/2016 at 5:13am
 Location: South Yorkshire
 Outfit: Geist Aktiv 495 View MartinM's Profile View Profile   Reply to MartinM Reply   Quote MartinM Quote  
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Thanks for your replies.

There is a battery, and it's in good nick. Teresa, on the 12V control panel the middle battery charge indicator lights up when selected whether on EHU or not, and the 12V system switches on ok, as does the water pump switch on the right. All a pretty green, no problem! However, when EHU's switched off the only one that lights up is the middle battery indicator when pressed. The others are 'lifeless'. How do yours behave when not on EHU? Many thanks


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Personnavver
24/5/2016 at 8:42pm
 Location: West country
 Outfit: Mondeo View navver's Profile View Profile   Reply to navver Reply   Quote navver Quote  
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Do the lights and water pump etc work when not connected to EHU. If so they will be working on the battery.

In summer you should have no problem as lights not on for long. Also things like a TV will use a lot of power.


Personnaturlist123
25/5/2016 at 8:15pm
 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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No probs when I owned same van I had 110amh Numax battery for mover, after parking up I allowed car to tick over for to top up battery and keep fridge cool then set up folding solar panel to take over and put fridge and hot water heating on gas
I replaced reading lights for leds as they only use a tenth of the power of halogens. And never got to hot to touch like halogens
I also changed halogens in awing light for LEDs
I left bulbs in circular light as I could not get LEDs to fit at time for right price..
I fitted 240 volt led strip lights opposite end of settee/bed under overhead lockers taking supply from 13amp sockets either side of van for use when on EHU.
I also changed two 7pin plugs to one 13 pln plug. To suit new tow car and when on test the Amber reflectors along sides of van lit up which did not work on two 7 plns. Have you got key fob for putting on and off main light and awning lights when in bed


Persontparkes
30/5/2016 at 7:47pm
 Location: sunny nottingham
 Outfit: Lunar Clubman View tparkes's Profile View Profile   Reply to tparkes Reply   Quote tparkes Quote  
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Hi Martin, when we are on 12V we have the 12v switch lit up and there is another button with like a tap on which we switch up or down (can't remember which!) for the pump I believe and this is also lit up. Sorry, I'm not very technically minded!

Teresa


Persontparkes
30/5/2016 at 7:55pm
 Location: sunny nottingham
 Outfit: Lunar Clubman View tparkes's Profile View Profile   Reply to tparkes Reply   Quote tparkes Quote  
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My husband suggested that you look at your fuse board (ours is under the bed) as it might just be a fuse that has gone. Hope you get sorted...


PersonMartinM
06/6/2016 at 11:45pm
 Location: South Yorkshire
 Outfit: Geist Aktiv 495 View MartinM's Profile View Profile   Reply to MartinM Reply   Quote MartinM Quote  
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Thanks all. I found the problem; a sneaky little 'extra' fuse-block attached to the main one by a wire. I had to do a head-stand to see if there were fuses in there. There was, the 20A one had blown, all good when I replaced it.


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Personbillyboggins
07/6/2016 at 12:49am
 Location: norfolk
 Outfit: Bailey Pageant Burgundy 6 volvo V70 View billyboggins's Profile View Profile   Reply to billyboggins Reply   Quote billyboggins Quote  
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if you any other info i found this lady at LMC to extremely helpful and prompt in her replies.......Nina.Sroka at lmc-caravan.de

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billyboggins


PersonMartinM
07/6/2016 at 12:53am
 Location: South Yorkshire
 Outfit: Geist Aktiv 495 View MartinM's Profile View Profile   Reply to MartinM Reply   Quote MartinM Quote  
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Thank you



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