Hi. We have recently bought a Vanroyce 470 ETL.
The 12v system onboard has stopped working but the motor mover is working so we know there is charge in the battery.
The electrics were working when we collected it so something seems to have happened on the drive home.
Does anyone have any ideas of where to start? We’ve checked the fuses and they’re all ok.
Thanks
were you trying this with the caravan plugged into the car ?
if so , there is a rely called a a "habitation relay" which cuts the 12v to the caravan internal 12v system , except the fridge.
if the caravan was'nt plugged in , maybe the relay is sticking, or maybe the main 12v fuse has blown.
------------- I predict a riot !!
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You haven't by mistake turned master switch off this is usually looks like a light switch could be near kitchen
This has nothing to do with fuses nothing will work on 12v without this being turned on
If that's the case there may be a problem with the caravan and/or car tow bar wiring.
There should be a relay on the car which will only allow the 12S socket to charge van battery and work fridge when the engine is running.
There should be a similar device in the caravan to isolate the caravan internal electrics, except fridge and battery charging, when the engine is running.
If the relay in the car is faulty or not installed, the caravan battery will try to provide a high current to operate the car starter motor when you start the engine. This will be very high and will quickly blow the caravan inline fuse.
We took the car to the tow hitch people and it’s booked in for an overhaul. The 12S side was a complete bodge job on the tow hitch and wired in to the existing 12v system on the car, not taking a direct feed. Thanks for your help.
older vans dont have this voltage sensitive relay built into the system..
some just have a van or car battery switch.. with these older systems it is possible to connect the car and van battery without the engine running..
also modern cars have what is called smart alternators fitted.. these are designed to limit the cars alternator output and wont let enough current back to the van battery to charge it properly..
the only way to properly charge the van battery from the cars alternator is with something called a DC to DC charger
i have a 20 amp version fitted to my van.. this device goes inline between the cars alternator and the van battery.. it takes whatever voltage is coming from the cars alternator and boosts it to put a controlled 20 amps into the vans battery..
you can get bigger ones but 20 amps is enough for most people..