Battery problem HELP

[StephenD]

I need your help (again)

I have a sited swift Conqueror 640. I thought I would enjoy the sunny weekend in my caravan however!!!

I filled the on board water tank using the external Whale pump (opened hot tap etc) then switch it on to the internal pump but nothing happened. The pump is working (I can hear it) but no water..Possible air lock, I tried for three hours and still no water. Tried adjusting the pressure switch, this will not switch off!

I checked the voltage on my battery and it was down to 8 volts could this be a possible cause? I switched on the on board charger (light illuminated) left it over night and STILL the battery volts were in the red. I thought the battery was dead...but on returning home I put it on charge and its up to 12.8 volts!!!. Possible on board charger fault.. I checked the in line fuse, this was ok( little melted, but working, checked with multi meter).

Does anybody know the location of the charger and where I can buy one (if this is the problem).

For your information I use the site's mains electricity

Sorry for the length of entry but i'm at my wits end

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hello Stephen,

I am not specifically familiar with your caravan but in general terms it sounds as though you do have a problem with the battery. A good battery should allow a proper charger to raise its terminal voltage to at least 13.8 when on charge. Remove the charger and the terminal voltage will fall a bit but it should still sit nearer 13.0V.

It would be wise to get the battery checked out.

Despite the low battery, even at 8V if you can hear the pump running, I would expect you should get some water through, though not at any great pressure or flow, so the absence water does indicate some other problem with the pipes, may be an air lock, but without being able to inspect the systems it is really difficult to be specific.

The low battery may certainly explain why the pressure switch fails to trip off, the pressure a pump delivers drops quite significantly as the supply voltage falls, but also if the pump is air-locked then that can also prevent the switch from operating.

Perhapse some one else on the forum may have experienced the same difficulties and has found a fix, but I suspect you may be best seeking help from your dealer.

 

[Damian]

Your van almost certainly has a Sargent PSU fitted, and the charger is an integral part of the unit.

Whilst pressure switches are not voltage sensitive, pumps are, and unless they have the full power available to them, they cannot produce enough water pressure to kick the pressure switch into shutting off.

If your voltage was down to 8 volts then I would not expect to see any water from the taps as even the small rise in pipework would be enough to stop the water in the pipe.

Replacement PSU's are available from dealers or you could send your unit to Sargent for refurbishment.

 

[StephenD]

Your van almost certainly has a Sargent PSU fitted, and the charger is an integral part of the unit.

Whilst pressure switches are not voltage sensitive, pumps are, and unless they have the full power available to them, they cannot produce enough water pressure to kick the pressure switch into shutting off.

If your voltage was down to 8 volts then I would not expect to see any water from the taps as even the small rise in pipework would be enough to stop the water in the pipe.

Replacement PSU's are available from dealers or you could send your unit to Sargent for refurbishment.

Damian, You mention the Sargent PSU where is this located? So you dont think its the battery at fault?

 

[gary]

Two points, first 8 volt, at least with no load on the battery, would suggest it has a problem, a decent off load battery's 'voltage reading' should recover to around the 12v mark.

Add to that, the 'slightly' melted fuse holder which strongly suggests an abnormally high and constant load, then a duff battery is quite possibly what's took the charger out?

 

[Damian]

Damian, You mention the Sargent PSU where is this located? So you dont think its the battery at fault?

Stepehen it is the unit housing the main circuit breakers and switches for charger/sockets etc.

To check the charger is working properly, test battery voltage at the terminals with no mains power connected.(should be about 12.8)

Anything less than 10 volts and the battery has had it.

Connect mains power, ensure charger is on, check voltage at battery terminals ,it should be 13.8.

 

[StephenD]

Two points, first 8 volt, at least with no load on the battery, would suggest it has a problem, a decent off load battery's 'voltage reading' should recover to around the 12v mark.

Add to that, the 'slightly' melted fuse holder which strongly suggests an abnormally high and constant load, then a duff battery is quite possibly what's took the charger out?

Cheers for the info

I'm off to purchase a new battery tomorrow.

Would I be right in saying the general consensus is that the charger will have to be replaced due to the 'bad' battery.

Do you know of the location (within the caravan its a Swift Conqueror 640 Salon) the charger would be?. I have looked under the offside seating locker, but all I can see is the in-line fuse holder and the water heater and the alarm unit. Is it possibly behind the control panel???.

Do you know where I can purchase a new charger? Sorry one last question. Would the charger light still illuminate if its not working?

Starting to think that I have been ripped off by the previous owner.

 

[StephenD]

Two points, first 8 volt, at least with no load on the battery, would suggest it has a problem, a decent off load battery's 'voltage reading' should recover to around the 12v mark.

Add to that, the 'slightly' melted fuse holder which strongly suggests an abnormally high and constant load, then a duff battery is quite possibly what's took the charger out?

Cheers for the info

I'm off to purchase a new battery tomorrow.

Would I be right in saying the general consensus is that the charger will have to be replaced due to the 'bad' battery.

Do you know of the location (within the caravan its a Swift Conqueror 640 Salon) the charger would be?. I have looked under the offside seating locker, but all I can see is the in-line fuse holder and the water heater and the alarm unit. Is it possibly behind the control panel???.

Do you know where I can purchase a new charger? Sorry one last question. Would the charger light still illuminate if its not working?

Starting to think that I have been ripped off by the previous owner.