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No 12v main switch Adria Adora

W

Waysideken

Hi all. When my Adria Adora 612UP caravan was serviced recently, the engineer pointed out that the 12v system is permanently live when the battery is connected. There is a small panel with a meter and two rocker switches marked "VOLTS" and "PUMP" near the sink, but even if the "VOLTS" switch is set to off and the meter needle returns to zero, I can still turn on the ceiling lights and other 12v stuff. I've looked everywhere but can't find a 12v isolator switch like I've had before on other models of caravan. My concern is that if the 12v circuits remain live when the caravan is not in use between trips in the summer (I remove the battery altogether over winter) the battery will drain slowly. I would prefer to have a switch to turn everything 12v off when the van is parked up on my driveway between trips. Should I be concerned?
 
Waysideken said:
Should I be concerned?
Click to expand...

Yes you should! Its very bad practice not to have some form of isolation system on large batteries. THe item Hutch has identified should be relatively simple to fit, or you can get 12 Isolator switch. You can find several on sites like Amazon or on E bay.
 
ProfJohnL said:
Yes you should! Its very bad practice not to have some form of isolation system on large batteries. THe item Hutch has identified should be relatively simple to fit, or you can get 12 Isolator switch. You can find several on sites like Amazon or on E bay.
Click to expand...
You can get an isolator switch, as The Prof states, as the type used for the Motor movers. But that needs a bit more fitment
 
Thanks The Prof and Hutch for your replies. I have two questions. If such a switch is as important as you say, why isn't there one installed by the manufacturer? Secondly, I'm assuming that if I fit such a switch, the battery won't charge again until the switch is in the ON" position? Could it damage the electrics to connect a hook up to charge the battery while the cut-out switch is in the "OFF" position (if I forget to reset it first, that is)?
 
As an electronics and electrical engineer I like to try to ensure electrical power from any source can be isolated, but it isn't always a requirement to use a switch, some times it's achieved with a fuse. So I'm sorry if I gave the wrong impression on that point. Consequently caravan manufacturer's might save a bit of cash by ommiting a switch.

As for damaging any of the 12V appliances or lights etc, the answer is I can't tell you unless I know what type of charger is fitted. In the absence of detailed knowledge about the charger it best to leave the battery connected when using an EHU.
 
ProfJohnL said:
As an electronics and electrical engineer I like to try to ensure electrical power from any source can be isolated, but it isn't always a requirement to use a switch, some times it's achieved with a fuse. So I'm sorry if I gave the wrong impression on that point. Consequently caravan manufacturer's might save a bit of cash by ommiting a switch.

As for damaging any of the 12V appliances or lights etc, the answer is I can't tell you unless I know what type of charger is fitted. In the absence of detailed knowledge about the charger it best to leave the battery connected when using an EHU.
Click to expand...
On our older caravans all the 240v sockets had switches, but it seems this was dropped on later models so no switch on them any more to switch off the appliance. Unless you unplug the appliance, many will go onto standby.
 
My previous van built by Adria (Fleetwood model) had the same set up.
Same two rocker switches, volts and pump, no isolater switch.
Had the van over 10 years, no problems.
Just used to plug into mains 3/4 days before the off to top up if it was needed.
 
The switch labeled "MASTER" operates a relay mounted on the distribution panel. When the switch is in the OFF position all 12 volts to the van should be disconnected.
May be the relay is stuck in or its contacts have welded themselves together.

If you operate the switch you should hear the relay moving. You will need to have a quiet environment to hear it.
 
jignc said:
The switch labeled "MASTER" operates a relay mounted on the distribution panel. When the switch is in the OFF position all 12 volts to the van should be disconnected.
May be the relay is stuck in or its contacts have welded themselves together.

If you operate the switch you should hear the relay moving. You will need to have a quiet environment to hear it.
Click to expand...
The OP's caravan may not have this facility.
 
Moving away from Waysidekens, start, my 2013 Coachman, when you switch off the Mains isolater, the power to the fridge, the tv amplifier, caravan alarm, radio and the 12 volts to the Water/heater is still connected. That why I fitted my Isolator as shown earlier.
 
Is it like this one? This suggests that the Volts switch is the isolator. If yours isn’t isolating then something may be amiss or modified.
93A798B3-D877-4461-863D-F6A41784E140.jpeg
 
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