no electrics

[stuzero]

hi guys, we are new to caravaning after a few years in tents, we brought a abbey archway 470, from 1999, which is a dealer special model we believe, we've had six months of great hoildays, and have literally just returned from eye kettleby lakes (which was truly lovely!)
But we have got a major problem........ on arrival we found we could not switch on the heater switch, or the pump switch, we couldnt even flick the switches.... they seemed to have seezed or to have a massive amount of resistance behind them stopping us. So we had a look behind to see and they were all sealed units, so we checked for lost(broken/dislodged) wires, blown fuses etc. But couldnt find any fault.....then after our fault finding mission we ended up losing all mains electric and battery charging. So we've enjoyed it as much as could but now we've returned and are desperate for any advice that could help us and our pride and joy.............
Thanks for taking the time to try and help us.......stu an nat

 

[Parksy]

Hi Stu
You may have tripped the rcd's (residual current devices) which would cut off the supply from the ehu (electric hook up) bollard to your caravan.
First of all check the ehu lead and plugs, a loose connection or break would trip the caravan rcd which will be situated inside the caravan close to where the ehu entry socket and battery charger are situated.
For a guide to electrical trouble shooting click here
If you are not confident that you can safely diagnose the problem it would be best to consult a mobile caravan engineer or workshop.

 

[stuzero]

hi, thanks for the quick reply we had a look at the the bollard on site and it appeared to be the same as our neighbours who had no issue, we also tired another bollard on site and also another electric lead to no prevail, the trip switch in the caravan no longer knocks out the electrics, but i believe that this wont work without 240 going to it anyway.
The way the switches where is more bizzare as we had no problems before, im thinking the may be a issue with the rcd in the caravan as no fuses appeared to have gone anywhere but cant help but think there may also be an issue with the casade which has caused this.....

All seems odd really, its just hard after investing in what is a great van to have issues after such a short time

 

[Parksy]

It's quite possible that the water heater element has failed which could cause problems with the caravan electrics.
Owing to the time of year there are not many forum members looking in but you are sure to receive more replies which will problably be more informative than anything that I can suggest.
If the 12v and 230v systems were working when you purchased the caravan the fault is unlikely to be anything too serious. You are right about the trip switch, it has to be connected. Are the 12volt lights and water pump ok?

 

[Sproket]

First of all how old is the EHU cable, did it come with the van ?
Have you had a good close look at the outer sheath from one end to the other ?
Are the plug & socket wires intact, even though its multi cored it could have a internal break ?

Once that you have established that the EHU is ok, then you can connect it back to the van, but everything must be switched off before you flick the RCD into life, depending on how competent you feel ? depends how much further you go before you send for a mobile fitter......
Just a few items to think about .........
The RCD could have given up the ghost....?
Loose wiring at the back of the rcd ?
Main socket into van wiring / socket broken ?
The element in the water heater has gone to earth ?

 

[Damian]

As you seem to have lost everything electric I would very strongly advise geting a caravan engineer to look at it, especially if you are not familiar with with electrics.

It will work out a lot quicker and cheaper than trying different ideas and them not working.
A methodical approach is the only way to go with electrics.

 

[Gafferbill]

Hello stuzero and welcome to the forum.

............you need someone physically present to help you with your electrical problem as it could be many things.
The fault could be a pointer to a potentially more dangerous problem as regards your family's personal safety.
Take Damian's advice and get an engineer to look at it.

 

[Dustydog]

Stu ,

Don't take a chance. If you know nothing about caravan electrics get a a qualified expert who does. In the big picture of things they are not expensive per hour. Play safe and value your lives!

Where are you?

Someone on here may be able to recommend someone.

 

[stuzero]

hi thank you all again, cant believe how many people have been take a few minutes to try and help,,,,lucky we're back at home now so call out should be less (as it was christmas after all).... the hook up cable was brand new with the van as was the leisure battery luckily so it held up well, we had no water pump at all due to way the rocker switches where seized soild. Think its definatly a case for an engineer.....
We live close to birmingham if any one has any experience with anyone local to here?? Has anyone heard of west midlands caravan services?? Do most of them do electrics or does that require someone more specialist?
Im guessing caravan engineers are like anything these days...you pays your money and take a chance??

 

[Damian]

http://www.approvedworkshops.co.uk/search/
Have a look here for a mobile engineer

 

[Parksy]

If you live anywhere near to the Black Country Stu, I can definitely recommend Ruiton Caravan Services, a fully qualified approved service engineer who knows his stuff, is friendly and not too expensive. We paid about half of the price charged by a main dealership for a full service on our t/a Abbey 620 and the guy (can't remember his name right now) comes to your house or caravan storage in his fully equipped mobile workshop. Ruiton Caravan Services are based in Gornal, just outside Dudley

 

[TD42]

Im not familer with the switches in your van,but I suspect you are talking about the consule switches being seized ?? if so it could possibley be that the contacts inside the swiches are welded together indicating a more serious fault with the van electrcs
for this reason I also recommend you call in a qualified service engineer
hope you get it sorted TD

 

[stuzero]

yeah thats sounds like a possible on the switch front, funny you mentioned that mobile engineer from dudley, 'cause we had only looked at his site earlier today from the list of approved members list (posted link by another member) so thats brilliant, because im quite local to there, so im very happy someones used them from this site and would recommend them

.
Thank you everyone its the first time ive posted and been made to feel most welcome.

 

[Parksy]

.............Thank you everyone its the first time ive posted and been made to feel most welcome.

New forum users are always welcome here Stu, and the knowledgeable regulars are friendly and helpful.
I hope that you can get your caravan electrics sorted out, and would you mind letting us know what caused the problem so that we can remember it for future reference.
I'm a Black Country bloke from Tipton on the Cut b.t.w.

 

[ApuljackEngineering]

Hi Stu

I suspect you have a Nord Elettronica unit - probably either an NE143-DU/RM or an MCU_C. The switches on some of these were under rated and can overheat causing the symptoms you describe. We can help you with this - contact us off forum for more info.

Regards

Paul Wright

BSc MEng
PGDip CEng MIET

Chartered
Electronics Engineer

 

[Willi-Wonti]

Hi Stu.
I can confidently recommend Applejack (Paul Wright).
My son had a problem with his Nordelettronica unit. We packed it up & sent it to Applejack for repairs. Paul informed us that it was not the problem that he thought it would be but managed to trace the fault & make a repair at a reasonable price & saved us having to buy a new unit at over £400

 

[stuzero]

Hi guys, sorry for the amount of time between posts, life can be choatic at times but are smoothing out now....here's the 1st update to prediciment at the start of the year.......we contacted Ruiton Caravan Services as per Parksy advice. Who (after the issue we've just had with the snow, came out to us as soon as he could) was a very nice guy indeed, he was very helpful and informative, he tested the switches in the van and found the main rcd(test) trip switch had given up the ghost and that 2 of the little switches (eg heater, pump) had failed and seized. He took the whole electical control unit away with him to repair as unfortuatly he didn't have the parts on the van, and will be returning on feb 12th to re-fit the unit and then we've asked him to do a full service at the same time.
So all being well we should have a clean bill of health and we plan to go away the follwing weekend for a valentines treat......
Thank you all and i'll update again as soon as we get a complete verdict

 

[stuzero]

Hi all,

Finally we've got it sorted! Not any fault of the caravan servicer but because it snowed everytime we'd booked him to come! We would highly recommend Ruiton Caravan services and I think others would as he is fully booked up for the next few weeks. He didn't do the service as the drive was covered in 10cm's of snow and ice, but he fitted the unit back in and everything is working fine now. Many thanks for your replies, definately made the whole experience a lot easier

Stu and Nat

 

[Parksy]

I'm glad that you got it sorted Stu & Nat and I had every confidence in the guy from Gornal