Caravan Electrics For Novice

[Gordon_374246661]

I have recently bought my first caravan, an 1991 ELddiss Cyclone and it is in mint condition. Everything works except that after 24 hours the battery has gone from being fully charged to flat thus not allowing the lights or pumps to work. I have checd the manual and is says that I should be able to run all accesories off the mains electric, what am I doing wrong. I have replaced the battery and still no joy.

Please help

 

[tjambarker]

It's going difficult to analyse the problem without being with the van. Anyway I'll give it go. If I'm way off base then I'm sure there'll be someone along in a while to tell me so.

If it was my problem the 1st thing I'd being doing is trying to work out where the fault lies ie is it a faulty battery or is there something wrong with the vans electrics. The fact that you have a new battery does not necessarily guarantee that it is OK.

What I would do is remove the battery from the van and fully charge it. Then you need to test how well the battery holds that charge. If you have a meter then a fully charged voltage output from the battery will probably be a little over 13v. You'll need to then test it sometime later say 24hrs later and although the voltage will have dropped back a little it should still be 12v+. Anything less than 12v in that time would suggest that the battery is suspect. If you don't have a volt meter then you could connect up something like a bulb from an internal light in the caravan and leave it on permanently. I've had this arrangement running for several days on a good battery. Either method would prove the viability of the battery.

Post the result of this test and we can discuss what to do next.

As I say I expect there will be someone else who'll have a different approach which might prove to be more efficient.

 

[tjambarker]

Actually re-reading your symptons again I'm wondering if there is a problem with the onboard charger.

Do you have a voltmeter?

 

[cooky1]

Gordon, I had the same problem on my 1992 Abbey. It charged the battery fine but it discherged the battery overnight. I could stop the battery draining by removing one of the fuses on the charger unit. I eventually contacted the makers of the unit (PLUG-IN-SYSTEMS) and they said it was something electrical breaking down inside the charger. I returned the unit to them and they repaired it for a small fee and it works perfectly now.

HTH.

Graeme.

 

[Gordon_374246661]

Actually re-reading your symptons again I'm wondering if there is a problem with the onboard charger.

Do you have a voltmeter?

Hi,

I have managed to source a voltmeter and will test using the advice given. I will let you know how I get on.

I should of mentioned that the reason I replaced the battrey is because the symtoms were happening before. I thought it was purley an ageing battrey.

Would is seem then the charge is being drained through either a faulty charger or accessory?

Many thanks in advance

 

[Robin_374241585]

Me too, on my '91 Abbey. Never did locate the fault but I put a double pole 'battery master' switch in the battery leads inside the 'van where is was easily accessible but out of sight. Never had a problem after that. Robin.

 

[tjambarker]

Hi,

I have managed to source a voltmeter and will test using the advice given. I will let you know how I get on.

I should of mentioned that the reason I replaced the battrey is because the symtoms were happening before. I thought it was purley an ageing battrey.

Would is seem then the charge is being drained through either a faulty charger or accessory?

Many thanks in advance

What I would do now is, with the charger on and the battery connected up, check the voltage across the battery terminals. It's going to be something like 14.5v.

 

[Gordon_374246661]

Me too, on my '91 Abbey. Never did locate the fault but I put a double pole 'battery master' switch in the battery leads inside the 'van where is was easily accessible but out of sight. Never had a problem after that. Robin.

Dear caravanners,

A friend came to the rescue with a voltmeter and it is reading 12.2v

He also performed a drainage test when diffrent lights go on and that would seem fine too, but still the analoge indicator in the zig board goes down immediately and the lights begin to dim

Any other thoughts????

Kind regards

Gordon

 

[lorraine_374247768]

oh god ive just bought a van it must be over 20 yrs old...but its in good nick for its age..so im told...apparently they last as long as you look after them...i dont understand this damp thing why should a van be damp if it aired regulary?///all i need is damp..with hubbys chest prob maybe big mistake for me..i thought fresh air do him good????...help

lozzy

 

[cris_408518]

If the outside leaks and lets water into the wood frame and insulation that is the damp they talk of!

 

[AnnM1]

Gordon, have you made sure that everything electrical is switched off in the caravan? Sounds simple, but we left a radio plugged in (not actually turned on) and that flattened the battery over time!

 

[AnnM1]

At last I can agree with cris!!!

Damp is something you cannot see, but if it gets very bad you can sometimes smell it.

If you are worried about this, Loraine, perhaps it would be a good idea to have it damp checked. You can buy damp meters reasonably cheaply on ebay and you can test yourself. They usually come with full instructions.

Good luck with your van. Hope you enjoy many holidays.

Ann