No power to consumer unit

[ij.brooks]

Please help, I have a nordelectric consumer unit fitted to my 2008 swift, it has been plugged into my mains power for a few days and all working well. I went into van today and I have no mains power, nothing has tripped, 12 volt system still working though, I have changed main socket connection in house, also changed hook up cables, even tried running off a generator but still no power to consumer unit, I am lost in what to check or try next, has any one had the same problems or may know what the problem is.
Thanks Ian

 

[Damian]

Have you proven that you actually have power at the house connection?
The reason I ask is that if there is a problem, then the fuse or MCB at the house will trip first, before the van trips do.

 

[ij.brooks]

Hi, yes usual socket has light indicator, also used another socket from garage and also generator with mains hook up, and still nothing, I still need to check from caravan socket to rear of consumer unit incase of break in wire, but need to do this tomorrow, even though I think a break is unlikely.

 

[colin-yorkshire1]

hi, are you any good with electrics?? if so there are a few tests you can do to isolate the problem,
1. pull the plug on the ehu caravan end, check that you have power in the cable at the van end, if you have then every thing up to that point must be ok. if not then check the power at the other end of the cable (house socket yes I know the lights on BUT, if there is power at this point the cable is faulty, if there is no power then the problem is the house supply.
after doing 1 go to,
2. check that there is power going to the consumer unit, if none check the cable going to the unit, look for a plug in the back , similar to a kettle plug or the one at the back of the computer, if there is, then.
3. check the battery voltage with A ehu disconnected. should be 12v ish. then with B, ehu connected, should be around 13.8v .
if there is power to the consumer unit as in 1.and 2. but no power in 3. it looks like the unit is faulty.
if 3. shows increased power to the battery. then it is the wiring, switches, mcbs, in the van that are not working.

 

[ij.brooks]

Hi, thanks, I will do a few more tests this morning in day light using your check list, hopefully I will be able to work out exact source of problem.

 

[ij.brooks]

Hi all, done further checks, I have definitely got power to consumer unit, also to space heaters and 3 pin sockets, also power going into charger, but no power out, no lights, fridge or charge going to battery on 240v. I have checked and changed the 30amp fuse on charger unit with no luck, so I think its my charging unit which is a Nordelettronica mod num NE143-p, so can any one tell me if charger is not working, would this effect lights, fridge and NE190 unit?

 

[Damian]

OMG,not Nordeltrronica again !!!

There is a very well nown problem which has affected most, if not all, Nord units where the charger fails and the PSU .
It has happened so much that Nord went bankrupt over this issue.

The best you can do is give Paul at Apuljack Electronics a ring and he will be able to repair your old unit if you send it to him.
http://www.apuljackengineering.co.uk/chargers.htm
http://www.apuljackengineering.co.uk/index.htm

 

[ij.brooks]

I should of thought about charger, I was aware of issues with chargers in swift caravans the same age of mine, and I have looked at the apujack web site and details of issue sounded the same, I have emailed them regadding repair, thanks for all your help, hopefully this will be the only issue this season.

 

[DerekBrad]

Three cheers for Apuljack!! Top man and top service.
Good luck with your problem.
Derek