coachman VIP 460/2 1998 help

[achadaphailcroft]

Hi all,
I've just purchased a 1998 coachman VIP 460/2 but don't have a manual. I've contacted coachman but it's too old for their archives. I'm trying to get my head around the systems but am running into problems. (this is my first caravan)
the first set of issues is electrical I think:
this is with a new battery installed, and the source switch set to van, lights work, exterior water pump works

1)there's a fuse to the left of the stove on the bed/bench front above the switch for the immersion heater. I've replaced the 13A fuse but I'm not sure what it's for. I'm also not getting a light on it.
2)fridge doesn't seem to turn on - there's a switch in the cabinet to the right of it that is currently on
3) igniter on the range doesn't work (gas is flowing)
4)immersion pump might not be turning on. gas bottle is open, valve next to heater is open. not getting hot water.
5) water pump under stove runs but I'm not sure what it does - possibly the shower....

I'm brand new to this so forgive my ignorance!
thank you for any help!
-Tom

 

[woodsieboy]

Is the caravan connected to mains electric,is water connected to the outside of the van?

 

[achadaphailcroft]

on battery.
Yes water is connected and flows when external pump is on.
Thankyou

 

[achadaphailcroft]

Also the fridge is set to battery as the source(as gas as I can see)

 

[IanB1485]

A few photos of the fridge, space heater and control panel and the fuse would help.
Its unusual for a van of that age and a coachman to have an onboard water tank with and "immersion pump", usually all water (hot and cold) is pressurised from the external water pump.
also The fridge is powered off 12V,not mains as is the igniter for the oven. Often coachman would fit a switched fused spur at an accessible position for the electric heaters on the space heater, So Activating the space heater (TRuma S3002) control , if the little green light doesn't come on there is no power to the CB and heaters.

 

[IanB1485]

Oh and the fridge doesn't work on 'battery' unless being towed by the car . the average 12V fridge heater element is about 125W which would flatten you leisure battery in about 2-5 hours.

 

[achadaphailcroft]

Sorry meant immersion heater, not pump.
Cascade rapid 9 litre.

I will try the fridge on gas then.
Fridge is Electrolux rm4271 c40/110

when I bought the caravan I was told the gas space heater needed fixing so I haven’t tried that yet.

I’ll take some pics tomorrow

 

[IanB1485]

I would recommend you get a mobile caravan engineer or an AWS engineer to check your caravan out , as quite a few faults to go at , and you will pick lots of useful information as he is working on your caravan. see www.mobilecaravanengineers.co.uk to find one in your area.

 

[achadaphailcroft]

I would recommend you get a mobile caravan engineer or an AWS engineer to check your caravan out , as quite a few faults to go at , and you will pick lots of useful information as he is working on your caravan. see www.mobilecaravanengineers.co.uk to find one in your area.

Sadly nobody in my area(by a long shot)

 

[toad a caravan]

A few photos of the fridge, space heater and control panel and the fuse would help.
Its unusual for a van of that age and a coachman to have an onboard water tank with and "immersion pump", usually all water (hot and cold) is pressurised from the external water pump.
also The fridge is powered off 12V,not mains as is the igniter for the oven. Often coachman would fit a switched fused spur at an accessible position for the electric heaters on the space heater, So Activating the space heater (TRuma S3002) control , if the little green light doesn't come on there is no power to the CB and heaters.

Not really onboard water tanks were fitted from 92 on larger Cosalt Abbey

 

[toad a caravan]

Your water heater could be a Carver mk2 EG,the E being for mains electric (mine works off fused spare switch).The G is for gas.. Operating instructions for them and Truma(Carver) room.heaters and Electrolux manuals can be found on the web.

 

[audiorob]

Hi Tom and welcome to the hobby and the forum.
You will hear of caravanning ‘off grid’ using the caravan without mains hook up. Caravan sites will generally have electric bollards on each pitch to enable you to plug in.
This will enable you to run the fridge on mains. the 12 v setting only allows the fridge to be cooled while travelling (assuming you towbar wiring including fridge feed).
The mains hookup also enables your battery charge to be maintained while on site - the 12v will run the water pump, most likely all the interior lights, possibly the loo flush (unless it’s a manual pump handle device). The water heater is likely a GE model allowing it to heat water either on gas or electric or for a quick heat up on both at once. Using on gas will require the 12v for operation.
With permission of a site owner you may be able to book an AWS technician to fully service the systems and help you out with information during your stay. The likely price would be in the region of 200 which would be well spent ensuring that no faults are present and your future safety.

 

[Dustydog]

Sadly nobody in my area(by a long shot)

Welcome to the Forum Tom.
The Approved Workshop Scheme have many qualified caravan engineers.
See this link, perhaps one near you?

Find an Approved Workshop in your local area

Find your nearest fixed or mobile Approved Workshop today using the interactive map

www.approvedworkshops.co.uk

 

[toad a caravan]