Hobby Electrical question

[Martyn_374555462]

Hello all, I'll try and cut the long story shot....

I have a Hobby, year 2000 Exclusive UK Special. As you open the door, just to the right is 2 switches, one turns on the light for the seating/living area, but the other does nothing. I presume the other switch actually turns on the outside awning/door light?

If so, is it common for them to not work? I've checked the bulbs, and they're fine. So I looked behind the switch to see what I could find. I know of very basic electronics, but I wouldn't touch anything I didn't no about. Here's a photo of behind the switch:

http://tinypic.com/m/a9l8wp/3
The switch is the part at the top, with the large wire going into that little box towards the bottom (along with plent of other wires). The black wire & transformer/adaptor is what leads to the awning/door light. Why does a simple light, which consists of 2 small bulbs, need a transformer/adaptor? And could that transformer have blown, causing the lights to not work?

(Haha, I knew there was a reason I said I'll try and keep it short!)

Thanks in advance guys!

 

[RichardJ]

hi

This, is a pure guess, the transformer is to reduce 240v to 12v for the outside light, and yes, transformers can fail, rare but yes.

if you have a small volt tester, switch the light on then test brown and blue, you should have 12volt, in not transformer US, if ok, it's the holder.

A small tester if you do not have one costs about

 

[Martyn_374555462]

I actually took a photo of the transformer too:

http://tinypic.com/m/a9l8ww/3
German, I know, but numbers can make some sense?

 

[Damian]

That small unit is the 12v AC (Yes AC) for some of the lights.

Th main 12v DC converter is in the wardrobe with blade fuses easily seen on the front.

 

[Martyn_374555462]

Ok, thank you. So is it possible for that to have blown for the lights not to work?

I cant see no other reason for them not to work?

 

[Lutz]

Yes, it says it's a 11.5 volt AC transformer for halogen lights only and not more than 20 watts.

 

[Martyn_374555462]

It says on it;

"Nur fur halogenlampen Max 20w"

Which gave me the impression that it wasn't to be used for halogen lamps?

Will one of them little electric testing screwdrivers things be ok to use?

 

[Lutz]

No, "nur f

 

[Martyn_374555462]

Ah right, my bad!

Should it really be a problem though, using a larger transformer than what is needed?

I cant imagine them 2 little Festoon bulbs (thats what they're called according to Towsure) would need such a high current?

 

[deejay]

Hobby Owners club forum- somebody will know the answer here

http://s4.zetaboards.com/Hobby_Owners_Club/index/
Sorry I dont know!

 

[Damian]

Those two little festoon bulbs are probably 10w each,,,,,giving 20w in total.

If you get it wrong with Hobby electrics it will cost you a lot of money to put right.

Do not use higher rated equipment than that fitted.

 

[Lutz]

The small halogen bulbs in my caravan are 8 watts each.

 

[Martyn_374555462]

So obviously you'd recommened I call out a sparky. But I dont really want to pay

 

[Damian]

Martyn, the answer to that question is ,,,,,,,,it is your van,do what you like.

 

[Martyn_374555462]

With all due respect... I come on here to get some help/advise for my van, and you reply telling me its my van, I can do what I like?

Thanks. Really helpful.

 

[Damian]

Martyn, you hav been given as much help as is possible. You have been told what the unit is and the possible problems with Hobby electrics.

YOU have said you dont want to pay someone to sort it out,so what other answer can be given?

At the end of the day ,, it is your choice what to do.

 

[Martyn_374555462]

Yes I dont really want to pay around

 

[Damian]

But that is the whole point.

Unless you have found the fault and rectified it, simply replacing the transformer will not cure the problem.

Unles you have the test equipment to test the system and transformer, you are paddling around in the dark.

It may not be y=th transformer, it may be the control panel, or something else.

Hobby parts are expensive, for instance, if you do something to wreck the main rectifier, it will cost you over

 

[VIP640]

Martyn,

You may be better requesting information from the Hobby Owners Club forum, nothing against this one but for a more specialised response it may suit your requirements better...

 

[Damian]

He has and this is the reply he got:

Martyn,

I dont want to sound condescending, but in your first post you state you understand basic electronics, yet you then go on to ask how to check for a 12v supply.

As you will be in the vicinity of mains voltages (230v), I'd advise you to leave well alone and have somebody competent sort this out for you.

 

[VIP640]

Oh....