No 12volts when selection switch set to off

[paul_374453139]

Hi i have a swift corniche 15 2e 1999, the battery is on its way out and last week end with several lights on and the heating system on ( 12volt fan on blown air heating ) for several hours the lights were dimming when the water pump was used so i switched the 12volt selector switch to the middle position ( OFF ) and lost the 12volt supply.

I thought that the mains hookup was supposed to supply 12volts via the charger ? when in the switch was in the middle position.

The battery was recharged to 3/4 full over night but im i wrong about the 12volt supply from mains hookup ?

I will replace the battery at the start of next season but do i have a problem with the 12 volt supply ?

The caravan is in storage but was thinking of getting it out this weekend to winterise it.

Is there any thing i should be looking at relays & fuses ext while i have the van at home ?

 

[colin-yorkshire]

hi paul

I think it depends on the type of zig unit fitted to your van others may along soon with a more detailed knowlege of this but in the meantime here is my twopennies worth.

the zig unit in the bailey we have does indeed run all the 12v when hooked up instantly (even with a flat battery) as soon as the hookup cable goes in the the battery indicator goes straight into the green sector and every thing works on fullpower, the only switch we have is a 12v master switch that is either on or off. this is independant of the 240v that works wether the 12v switch is on or off. there is also a main light switch by the side of the door that cuts the power to all the lights "exept the awning light" that has it's own switch.

everything in the van has its own fuse in a panel on the side of the bunk "both 12v and 240v, (the 240v are circuit breakers)if you have such a panel it would be looking to see if the charging circuit has tripped or a fuse blown.

some vans have a habitation relay "what ever they are" controled by a switch the bailey doen't seem to have one as everything works all the time automaticly taking power from any source available.

it appears to me that either something is amiss or your system is so different and certain switches have to be in a particular position to make everything work.

colin

 

[WatsonJohnG]

If you switch it off at the 12V switch then the 12 V is off as I understand it

You can switch the charger off to se if the battery is Ok but if you switch the 12V off it cuts out the 12V altogether I would have thought

 

[paul_374453139]

A bit more info from manual

the switch has three positions

left = car 12volts powered by car via gray plug

middle = battery off to be used when towing but when mains hookup is used will supply 12volts

right = van 12volts from battery

the unit has a pms2500 power supply moduel

i checked all the fuses in the pms2500 but i know there are more fuses around the van in the bunk lockers ect if anyone has any more ideas i would be very greatfull

 

[WatsonJohnG]

That seems illogical

On our Swift the 12V switches off via the habitation relay on tow but it doesn't switch back on 12V until its switched back on

Even though its been connected to the house wiring to power the charger it still needs to be switched on at the control panel to 12V

Maybe its wrong in the handbook(shock horror)

So long as you know that it needs to be switched on in your van you can work the system

Enjoy

 

[Glenn_5132962]

Paul,

If your swift is the same as my old 1998 one used to be then when the switch is in the middle postion 12v should be supplied to the van via the battery charger acting as a 12v transformer. When this is put in the lower postion you get the same but with the addition of battery charging. BUT the battery charger also has its own red switch which on my van was part of the electic mains panel in the wardrobe. This switch also needs to be on and lit up. Check that.

 

[paul_374453139]

Paul,

If your swift is the same as my old 1998 one used to be then when the switch is in the middle postion 12v should be supplied to the van via the battery charger acting as a 12v transformer. When this is put in the lower postion you get the same but with the addition of battery charging. BUT the battery charger also has its own red switch which on my van was part of the electic mains panel in the wardrobe. This switch also needs to be on and lit up. Check that.

Thanks glenn

I had the switch on for the charger.

I was wondering if the charger had another fuse somewhere for acting as a 240/12V transformer as there are fuses under the bunk next to the battery box that i have not had the chance to test yet.

Also when i was looking at the charger it has a mains supply and three wires coming out that go into the bulkhead below the PMS2500 control unit

what are the three out wires ?

earth ?

battery charging supply ?

12volt supply for van ?

thanks to all who have replied

 

[Gafferbill]

........ my 12 volt power supply ( battery charger )in my 1995 Swift has a blade fuse mounted on the case of the unit.

As you mention you have had the unit out fo visible inspection.......

Have you checked this fuse?

 

[paul_374453139]

I have not looked at the charger as we were rushed for time and the battery had recharged, the caravan has been in storage since but we are getting it home this weekend to look at this problem.

 

[paul_374453139]

in replyto glenn

Thanks glenn

I had the switch on for the charger.

I was wondering if the charger had another fuse somewhere for acting as a 240/12V transformer as there are fuses under the bunk next to the battery box that i have not had the chance to test yet.

Also when i was looking at the charger it has a mains supply and three wires coming out that go into the bulkhead below the PMS2500 control unit

what are the three out wires ?

earth ?

battery charging supply ?

12volt supply for van ?

thanks to all who have replied

 

[WatsonJohnG]

If you switch the charger on when a 12V light is on it should make the light brighter if the charger is working and the battery is low

 

[WatsonJohnG]

In John Wickersham's caravan maintenance book he shows a picture of a ZIg control selection switch with car, van and off in the middle

He says this

"A three position rocker switch is usually chosen in which the central position isolates the supply completely"

In other words OFF means OFF

 

[xtrailman]

My last van an avondale was the car/van selector switch, as i recall you could select 12v from the car, or the caravan.

Regardless of which position selected, the battery should take charge from the charger/PSU, provided the latter is switched to the mains.

So agree with mr watson.

My avondale was a 1997 model. But things do change from make to make, so i can't be 100% sure that the same applies to the swift.

 

[paul_374453139]

Problem solved.

Knackered transformer/charger

checked 240v going into charger

nothing coming out at 12volt output

checked 15amp fuse outside charger ok

checked internal circuit board fuse ok

replaced charger 13.8volts at battery clamps with no battery and switch to VAN

switch to OFF and 12volt lights & pump in caravan working with no battery ( just on transformer/charger )

Wallet now lighter but 12volts working and battery charging

thanks for all your replys

Paul.

 

[WatsonJohnG]

Glad that you got it sorted and thanks for the info