NEW MEMBER NEEDS HELP WITH DIAGRAM

[MARTIN_374316954]

Hi people, I am completely new to caravanning. I have purchased a nice clean elddis wisp 400/5 caravan. like a complete novice,I assumed (as the last owner told me so) everything was working. i have no hand books or manuals and seem to have the folowing problems.

water pump does not work!

Am I correct in thinking that power from the switch on the master panel goes to both taps and then back to the pump?

Fridge only seems to work on 240 hook up!

Gas heater does not work!

Not too bothered on this one as I think i would prefer a small wattage electric heater for safety.

Any help would be much appreciated.

 

[rayc]

Martin, You are sort of right regarding the pump. The battery negative goes directly to the pump. The battery positive goes via the isolator switch on the control panel to the taps which have micro switches fitted which connect the voltage through to the pump when switched on.

with regards to the fridge which model is it? What are your symptoms e.g. is the pilot light alight?

Are you sure about the gas heater? again what model is it?

Is the fridge gas problem and the gas heater problem related e.g. Is the gas supply getting to each of them or are there isolators which are switched off?

 

[MARTIN_374316954]

Martin, You are sort of right regarding the pump. The battery negative goes directly to the pump. The battery positive goes via the isolator switch on the control panel to the taps which have micro switches fitted which connect the voltage through to the pump when switched on.

with regards to the fridge which model is it? What are your symptoms e.g. is the pilot light alight?

Are you sure about the gas heater? again what model is it?

Is the fridge gas problem and the gas heater problem related e.g. Is the gas supply getting to each of them or are there isolators which are switched off?

I can only find one isolator valve for the gas under one of the front seats. The grill, hob and oven al work.

I tried to light the heater to see if it worked, it didnt so i left it alone.

The fridge worked fine on mains, but did not seem to get cold on 12v, maybe I did not leave it long enough?

Basically, I use the van when we are away racing jetskis, some of the venues we race at are on lakes with camping fascilities, but mostly we are in public carparks or similar, so I need to be able to run my fridge when we shut down the generator. I bought a small inverter (600w) but this did not work either! (see other topic)

Where could i obtain or down load a diagram for my caravan? I am a competent mechanic and have good engineering skills and am not afraid to tackle most jobs. I definately need the watere to work though as i have a 16 month old daughter!

Martin

 

[janian]

There will be an isolator tap for each gas appliance, its a legal requirement. In general they will be together in the kitchen area. But on occasion and make and model dependant, may be close to the appliance itself.

If your van has taps with the micro switches built into them and non are working, it is possibly the pump that is at fault. It is unlikely that all the micro swithes will pack up at the same time. Check to see if the pump runs when a tap is switched on (listen to it). If you can hear it running, it may just be an air lock. To clear it turn on a tap and then jiggle the pump around in the water.

Some vans do not have micro swithes in each tap. They have a pressure operated switch. You will normally find this reasonably close to the water inlet. This is adjustable by a small knurled knob on the water outlet side of the pump. To adjust it make sure all the taps are turned off, turn the adjuster until the pump begins to opperate. Then turn the adjuster back to a point just after the pump stops. thats about it.

Let us all know how you get on. And good luck.

 

[Damian]

Martin, to check the water pump, connect 12v across the pins on the pump, if it runs, the problem lays with either the microswitches, or pressure switch or power supply.

The fridge,first of all, it will not work on 12v when the van is not being towed.

As for the gas side of things, get them checked out by a suitably qualified person as the gas system comes under regulation and must only be serviced by competent persons, and by competent that means trained and tested by an authorised body.

Have a look for a local mobile service engineer.

Try http://www.mobilecaravanengineers.co.uk

 

[MARTIN_374316954]

Thank you to every one who has replied.

The gas will be checked out by a local corgi engineer once i have checked out the obvious valves etc.

Thanks for the info on the 12v fridge, I guess it gets you cold on the move and then you change to gas or mains depending where you are.

I am going to do further tests now you have confirmed the pump/ tap info. Mine have micro switches, so will remove the pump and test tonight.

Will post back results.

Thanks again guys,

Martin

 

[catherine2]

Martin

Don't expect the fridge to get cold form warm on 12v. If it is already cold ie has been hooked up to the mains or gas for some hours, then when you are on the move and using the battery it will maintain the low temperature. This is its only purpose. When you are on site always use 240v or gas.

 

[MARTIN_374316954]

Well thanks to some of you decent folks who replied and offered your help, I hav pretty much sorted all my niggles.

I have diagnosed my water supply probs as having both taps faulty in the galley sink and toilet sink. The pump and wiring works just fine.

A quick search on ebay found me a couple of new ones identical to mine mega cheeap so well chuffed.

Fridge works great, and the best bit is that undoing some panels and fittings to trace cables found all the original paper work , wiring diagrams and hand books for all the appliances!

Martin

 

[GrahamSouthBrum]

Martin,

Following on from Catherine, if possible run your fridge on mains/gas the night before you travel this will bring the temp. down, then run it on 12volt when towing.

Graham W.