OPERATING 12V SYSTEM

[Fraseb01]

Giod afternoon all, i was at my van in storage today to get the battery for a charge up, however my charger said fully charged so my solar panal must be doing the job.

I have never tried to run on the 12v system in my van so i thought it would be as simple as switch on the psu so i can operate my van lights but nothing, am i doing simething wrong here?

Van was fully servuced in october with no issues raised, 2015 swift 625se.

Any ideas guys?

Thanks in advance .

 

[Fraseb01]

Sorry for the poor spelling , big fingers little buttons on my phone 🙈

 

[Jcloughie]

Turning on the PSU will do nothing for your 12 volt system unless it has a 240 supply. To run off the battery, which will be all or most of the lights, and 2 or 3 12 volt outlets plus fridge (control only), water pump, and heating control and fans. There will be a separate isolation switch, perhaps more than one. Mine had one on the consumer unit, then separate circuits were turned on on the control panel.

Even if you are 'plugged in' to the mains, You will still have been using the 12 volt systems for all items mentioned above.

Pleased your solar panel is doing its job.

John

 

[audiorob]

Don’t know what control panel the Swift would have but my van has the panel just inside the door With MASTER LIGHTS and PUMP with a fourth for the awning light. The MASTER should be ON then the 12v systems should be Ok. There should be a fuse near the battery in the +ve cable and worth checking that

 

[Hutch]

Hi Fraiseb, are you sure your turning on the 12 volt lights. ? Your not daft, but check the battery voltage with the solar panel disconnected,

 

[Fraseb01]

Thanks John,
I will look for the seperate switch next week when i am along at storage.

Not that i need to run the lights i was just curious.

Many Thanks.

Hi Fraiseb, are you sure your turning on the 12 volt lights. ? Your not daft, but check the battery voltage with the solar panel disconnected,

Solar panel disconected was showing fjlly charged.👍

 

[Guzzilazz]

A 100W panel will keep your battery topped over winter very comfortably.

 

[Buckman]

Hi Fraiseb, are you sure your turning on the 12 volt lights. ? Your not daft, but check the battery voltage with the solar panel disconnected,

The 12v normally has an isolation switch otherwise the battery will be drained quickly.

 

[Fraseb01]

Cheers all, will look for the switch, will be there just u never ever thought to use any light etc while not on site power 🙄🙈

 

[Mr Plodd]

All will be explained in your handbook.

 

[littlebasher]

Did you switch on the black button on the power distribution unit under the front seats?

That's what isolates the 12v system, its typical for people to turn it off when not in use to save draining the battery.

 

[Buckman]

All will be explained in your handbook.

Maybe the caravan came without a handbook if bought second hand hence the question on this forum?

 

[Fraseb01]

Hand book found , was placed away safe lol

Cheers all .

 

[audiorob]

You may find that the handbook is for the range rather than a specific van and appliances to have their own handbooks, but Hope you find the info you need along with advice from this forum!

 

[Hutch]

Hand book found , was placed away safe lol

Cheers all .

I hate it when I put things away " In a safe place" and then can't remember where it is. 😅

 

[Fraseb01]

Exactly mate