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Topic: electrics problem. Help!!

Petlover43

17/7/2016 at 8:46pm
Location: None Entered
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I m new to the caravanning scene - only had my first caravan on Thursday and already realise how little I know. Can anyone help - I have plugged in the EHU to the caravan but can't seem to get anything to work off the mains electrics. The light comes on in the fuse box but the power seems to stop there. I can get the lights to work but they only come on very dimly. There is a leisure battery but after three hours of charging the needle is still at the top end of red. Is there something else I'm not doing right? I have an avondale argente 2004 model.
I apologise in advance I might be asking a few questions over the next few weeks.

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Life is there for living so live it to the max!

LlaniDavis

17/7/2016 at 9:05pm
Location: Llanidloes Powys
Outfit: Skoda Yeti SEL4x4 +Bailey Ranger 460-4

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How old is the battery?

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CatieB

17/7/2016 at 9:11pm
Location: cambs
Outfit: Roller Team Zafiro 696

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Is there a switch somewhere? Mine doesn't work automatically when I plug EHU in, I have to turn a switch on too.

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Gone via tent to tourer to seasonal to camper van

path20

17/7/2016 at 10:02pm
Location: Lancashire
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There could be a switch in the control panel or fuse box.The dim lights will probably be working from the battery.The electric should come on regardless of how low the battery is.

navver

17/7/2016 at 10:06pm
Location: West country
Outfit: Mondeo

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On the main switch, on the main circuit breaker board, there should be a 'press to trip' test button. Press it. It should click and the power should go off. Push the main breaker up to reset. No click means no power. This is a good way to see if power is connected OK or not.

All the breakers should be up.

If that is OK, then plug something in to one of the 13amp sockets to see if there is power in the van.

That's the first step, because if the EHU isn't getting through it's not going to charge your battery.

The lights are probably 12 volt powered from the battery and it sounds as if the battery is very low on charge.

Petlover43

18/7/2016 at 9:26pm
Location: None Entered
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Thanks everyone for your help. I ve managed to suss things out - the EHU wasn't getting through because the Hook up cable I had been using had disconnected from the contacts at one end so there was no power at all. I said I knew nothing but we only found this out after trying everything suggested. At least that's something that won't happen again. Looking forward to our first trip away next week now. It looks like the leisure battery is Ok too now that it's getting charged again.
Hopefully I won't have too many teething problems but I suppose that's all part of the fun.

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Grandad Kenny

22/7/2016 at 10:42pm
Location: Essex
Outfit: Fiat Ducato 3.0 Autotrail Mohican

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Go for it pet lover, it's what this site is all about. There is never ever a stupid question 👍

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