Electrics in Avondale 515/4 golden Mayfair

[Newbietocaravanning]

‼️ 🚨 Can anyone help me

I’ve got an Avondale 515-4 golden Mayfair

I got new 12v 115ah battery I connected it (positive and negative) and turned on the main switch inside caravan plus the ones marked for lights/heater/sockets etc nothing! Nothing at all

I tried it then by plugging it into my house and all I’ve got working is the 2 side lamps at back of caravan over the seating area, my plug sockets and the light on the fridge is on but fridge/freezer is not getting cold!

Can anyone help?
Why isn’t it working off the battery? (Battery brand new and green light is on it saying it’s got charge)

Why have i not got ceiling lights, side lamps, toilet flush, or fridge getting cold? I’ve attached photo of the box with switches I’ve the turned off now

Please help 🙏

 

[ProfJohnL]

Caravans usually have two electrical systems, one that works on Mains 230V ac power, and the other that works on 12Vdc. You can only use the 230V ac circuits when the caravan is connected to a 230V ac supply through the EHU (Electric Hook Up) cable. Normally items like the fridge, space and water heater have multi fuel options, so you can use LPG (Liquified Petroleum Gas) when you don't have mains power available.

The 12V dc circuits usually have a 12V battery in the caravan that provide the 12V. And when you also use the EHU the 230V ac systems usually have a battery charger built in to keep the battery topped up. If you are not connected to a mains supply, the battery will power a limited number of 12V devices for a few days, so you have to be frugal with power usage.

The 12V battery does not supply 230V ac power, so you cannot use any mains appliances or lights without connecting the EHU to a 230V bollard.

You would be wise to try and obtain an owners manual for the caravan which will tell you how to set it all up safely.

 

[Newbietocaravanning]

Caravans usually have two electrical systems, one that works on Mains 230V ac power, and the other that works on 12Vdc. You can only use the 230V ac circuits when the caravan is connected to a 230V ac supply through the EHU (Electric Hook Up) cable. Normally items like the fridge, space and water heater have multi fuel options, so you can use LPG (Liquified Petroleum Gas) when you don't have mains power available.

The 12V dc circuits usually have a 12V battery in the caravan that provide the 12V. And when you also use the EHU the 230V ac systems usually have a battery charger built in to keep the battery topped up. If you are not connected to a mains supply, the battery will power a limited number of 12V devices for a few days, so you have to be frugal with power usage.

The 12V battery does not supply 230V ac power, so you cannot use any mains appliances or lights without connecting the EHU to a 230V bollard.

You would be wise to try and obtain an owners manual for the caravan which will tell you how to set it all up safely.

Yeah I’ve got the manual
But it doesn’t say how to switch from the 12v to hook up (only thing it tells me is how to do it on fridge so I’ve sorted the fridge) just can’t get radio,ceiling lights and flush on toilet to work.

I can’t even find where the fuses are as the control unit in my caravan is not the one in the manual (manual is for my model of caravan so I’m stumped to be honest. I’m clueless and I’ve rang 6 electricians all have said they don’t have a clue about caravans so can’t help, typical!

I would have thought the battery being plugged in would give me some power to something but I’ll plug in the battery to caravan today while also plugged into EHP and see if maybe battery kicks in at some point

 

[borderbilly]

Has to be a fuse box, year of van might help.

 

[birdman101]

Have you checked the 20 amp in line fuse from the Battery, often inside of caravan behind the Battery box at floor level. If this has blown you will get no power from the Battery neither will it charge.

 

[Dustydog]

Not sure what year your Avondale is but this site may have a wiring diagram

https://www.avondalecaravans.com/

 

[audiorob]

Agree with birdman above - if you trace the positive cable from the battery you should find an obvious 20A fuse in an inline holder. Mine is in the battery box itself, but yours may be in the locker behind the box - between battery and distribution unit.
Failing that if you need professional help look for a local AWS technician (google for a list) who should be able to advise and get you up and running!

 

[Newbietocaravanning]

Has to be a fuse box, year of van might help.

Was told on buying it was a 2002 this is the box but zero idea how to get at actual fuses manual just states to check them

 

[ProfJohnL]

As Borderbilly has implied the year of the caravan might be significant. Avondale ceased production in 2008, so your caravan will be at least 17 years old, And Birdman's comment is also valid.

Below is a picture of a 2004 model year electrical distribution system as fitted to an Avondale



This is a combined package that has the 230v ac mains circuit protection parts on the RH side and the 12V fuses to the left. It also has a battery charger built into it. The fuse Birdman mentions is usually fitted to the Battery positive wire close to the battery.

You wanr to find a caravan electrician, Most caravan dealers who have service work shops have suitable electricians, or look up the Approved Workshop Scheme (AWS) you will find caravan techs who do understand caravans - and several are mobile and will come to you if that easier.

 

[Newbietocaravanning]

trying to upload photo of box but it saying photo too large so I’ll get another when home this evening

 

[otherclive]

trying to upload photo of box but it saying photo too large so I’ll get another when home this evening

If you have iPhone as you select photo from Library there’s an option to reduce size. I go from Original to Large. Once selected you can carry on with Upload.
As you go into photo library press options at the bottom left and this screen pops up.. Select your size and then press Done.

 

[Newbietocaravanning]

If you have iPhone as you select photo from Library there’s an option to reduce size. I go from Original to Large. Once selected you can carry on with Upload.
As you go into photo library press options at the bottom left and this screen pops up.. Select your size and then press Done.

View attachment 9182

 

[Newbietocaravanning]

Thank you for that help never knew that photo option was there

 

[Newbietocaravanning]

As Borderbilly has implied the year of the caravan might be significant. Avondale ceased production in 2008, so your caravan will be at least 17 years old, And Birdman's comment is also valid.

Below is a picture of a 2004 model year electrical distribution system as fitted to an Avondale

View attachment 9180

This is a combined package that has the 230v ac mains circuit protection parts on the RH side and the 12V fuses to the left. It also has a battery charger built into it. The fuse Birdman mentions is usually fitted to the Battery positive wire close to the battery.

You wanr to find a caravan electrician, Most caravan dealers who have service work shops have suitable electricians, or look up the Approved Workshop Scheme (AWS) you will find caravan techs who do understand caravans - and several are mobile and will come to you if that easier.

Thanks so much but I’m in rep of Ireland so don’t think there is any technicians locally to me I’ve searched for electricians, the nearest caravan repair centre to me is about 5 hours from me which is a disaster

I’ve been told to try and get onto a car garage and im
Just being told we don’t deal with caravans in each I ring, complete disaster for me to be honest

 

[Dustydog]

Thanks so much but I’m in rep of Ireland so don’t think there is any technicians locally to me I’ve searched for electricians, the nearest caravan repair centre to me is about 5 hours from me which is a disaster

I’ve been told to try and get onto a car garage and im
Just being told we don’t deal with caravans in each I ring, complete disaster for me to be honest

Thanks for the photo. Some caravans of your vintage have both 12 v and 230v lights. What are yours?
Do you know how to use a multimeter to check all the cables section by section starting with the positive battery cable?

 

[toad a caravan]

Is there a three position toggle switch,or a "car. off .caravan"? switch

 

[Newbietocaravanning]

Thanks for the photo. Some caravans of your vintage have both 12 v and 230v lights. What are yours?
Do you know how to use a multimeter to check all the cables section by section starting with the positive battery cable?

I don’t have a clue I won’t lie first time ever doing anything like this. When bought was told all electrics and water/gas works perfect I went on their word to find out it wasn’t the truth so im completely put off

 

[Newbietocaravanning]

Is there a three position toggle switch,or a "car. off .caravan"? switch

No I don’t think so it’s not on the box anyway

 

[toad a caravan]

The image of the panel that has the main switch and Two MCB's when did you take it?

 

[toad a caravan]

This may help,I don't know for what year though

 

[Newbietocaravanning]

The image of the panel that has the main switch and Two MCB's when did you take it?

I took it last night when I’d given up the ghost and switched off the main switch etc so the 3 switches are turned off on it in that pic

 

[Newbietocaravanning]

This may help,I don't know for what year though View attachment 9184

Thank you yeah I’ve got this in the manual mine is a dart from what I can find out the 515/4 is a dart model but to be very honest it’s like reading another language to me I can’t even follow it 😅