Powrtouch classic motor mover control unit issues

[Dustydog]

How crucial for our safety will depend on how effectively the habitation check is conducted and how well we as users can do our own checks.

I have used my AWS engineer for the last 15 years. He is safety all the way. Carbon monoxide from all gas appliances, gas pressure drop test, all circuit breakers tested correctly etc.
Ok not all are good but you have to live in hope a AWS or MCEA will do the job properly!

I was concerned for BB . Taking on a new to him caravan I for one would definitely want a detailed habitation check

 

[Hutch]

I have used my AWS engineer for the last 15 years. He is safety all the way. Carbon monoxide from all gas appliances, gas pressure drop test, all circuit breakers tested correctly etc.
Ok not all are good but you have to live in hope a AWS or MCEA will do the job properly!

I was concerned for BB . Taking on a new to him caravan I for one would definitely want a detailed habitation check

I think what BB meant is he will be having a full service NOT just a habitation check.

 

[Martin_E]

They do not service the gas or electrical appliances. Those are all extras over and above the cost of the normal service. Most caravan technicians probably do not have qualifications for electrical or gas systems. They are only competent.

When you take your car for a service the majority of it is checks! If you want your air con checking/servicing you would be charged extra, along with other items.
The electrical systems/appliances would be checked on a service assuming you are not using some Micky mouse outfit and should have the qualifications for gas and electric, if they are AWS approved then they will have.

 

[Buckman]

When you take your car for a service the majority of it is checks! If you want your air con checking/servicing you would be charged extra, along with other items.
The electrical systems/appliances would be checked on a service assuming you are not using some Micky mouse outfit and should have the qualifications for gas and electric, if they are AWS approved then they will have.

Sorry have to disagree on one point. AWS do not require qualifications to work on caravan electrical or gas systems. They just need to be competent.

On a caravan the electrical and gas checks are generally no different to what the consumer would do except that the AWS technician should do a gas pressure check to make sure there are no leaks in the system. Checking the electrics is basically switching on and off the lights. They cannot even test the electrical sockets in a caravan.

To service our Toyota Corolla costs £180 which includes the MOT. Again as you correctly state on a car the majority are checks and with exception of labour, it is the oil that makes up a good deal of the cost. If servicing the car costs £180, why does it costs £300 to service a caravan? Excluding the habitation check the cost is still about £180.

 

[JTQ]

To service our Toyota Corolla costs £180 which includes the MOT

That's very cheap if a main dealer. We must be buying the wrong cars as even using an indy in recent times I can't recall it being under £250 and recently one of £1100 but that was a service that included all the belts. Those ex MOT which I prefer to have done at a depot, sans a workshop.

Have to agree the caravan trade is very over priced, suppose its because its leisure pursuit focused, so people simply pay without much questioning.

 

[Buckman]

That's very cheap if a main dealer. We must be buying the wrong cars as even using an indy in recent times I can't recall it being under £250 and recently one of £1100 but that was a service that included all the belts. Those ex MOT which I prefer to have done at a depot, sans a workshop.

Two of the Indy are ex-Toyota and started the garage between them. They have an excellent reputation all round and employ two other mechanics in addition to the MOT tester.

However I do apologise as the MOT was extra at £35, but was done at the same time and a separate invoice which is why I got mixed up. Cost of MOT has increased this year to £40.

 

[ProfJohnL]

Sorry have to disagree on one point. AWS do not require qualifications to work on caravan electrical or gas systems. They just need to be competent...

This technically wrong. The exemption from the Gas Safety (Installation & Use) Regulations (GS(I&U)R) identifies touring caravans, and self propelled motor homes, that are not owned by or or used for any business purposes, are an exempt from the GS(I&U)R and the owner may undertake work on the gas installation and appliances.

The exemption specifically only applies to the private owner of the specific vehicle, thus it is only the owner who is exempt, if anyone other than the owner works on the gas system or the appliances they legally must comply with the full GS(I&U)R,

If the owner askes or contracts anyone else (inc. relative, friend or contractor) to undertake work they must have the required qualifications and ticket to work on the system. The Owner will be classed as the "Person with responsibility for the system" and as such should use due diligence when selecting a company or persons to do work on the system.

It should be borne in mind that the GS(I&U)R, is part of the health and safety legislation, and failure to comply is classed as a criminal act and if prosecuted can be subject to fines and or custodial sentences.

 

[Martin_E]

Sorry have to disagree on one point. AWS do not require qualifications to work on caravan electrical or gas systems. They just need to be competent.

On a caravan the electrical and gas checks are generally no different to what the consumer would do except that the AWS technician should do a gas pressure check to make sure there are no leaks in the system. Checking the electrics is basically switching on and off the lights. They cannot even test the electrical sockets in a caravan.

To service our Toyota Corolla costs £180 which includes the MOT. Again as you correctly state on a car the majority are checks and with exception of labour, it is the oil that makes up a good deal of the cost. If servicing the car costs £180, why does it costs £300 to service a caravan? Excluding the habitation check the cost is still about £180.

I am sorry to disagree, as all AWS technicians do electrical courses as part of their AWS approval, they used to be City & Guilds, they were (& still could be🤷‍♂️) C&G Test and inspection & C&G Systems & Circuits these are renewed every 5 years along with gas certification

 

[Buckman]

This technically wrong. The exemption from the Gas Safety (Installation & Use) Regulations (GS(I&U)R) identifies touring caravans, and self propelled motor homes, that are not owned by or or used for any business purposes, are an exempt from the GS(I&U)R and the owner may undertake work on the gas installation and appliances.

The exemption specifically only applies to the private owner of the specific vehicle, thus it is only the owner who is exempt, if anyone other than the owner works on the gas system or the appliances they legally must comply with the full GS(I&U)R,

If the owner askes or contracts anyone else (inc. relative, friend or contractor) to undertake work they must have the required qualifications and ticket to work on the system. The Owner will be classed as the "Person with responsibility for the system" and as such should use due diligence when selecting a company or persons to do work on the system.

It should be borne in mind that the GS(I&U)R, is part of the health and safety legislation, and failure to comply is classed as a criminal act and if prosecuted can be subject to fines and or custodial sentences.

Thank you for the update, but is there a requirement qualification for electrical work?

 

[otherclive]

Thank you for the update, but is there a requirement qualification for electrical work?

There are a number of bodies that register electricians as competent

I think NICEIC is the largest. If having electrical work carried out at home I would always use an electrician who is registered.

The ‘C’ word (competency in the electrical installation industry)

electrical.theiet.org

Approved Contractor and Domestic Installer Scheme: apply for Certification | NICEIC

NICEIC's two flagship schemes is intended for businesses who want to demonstrate they are competent to carry out all types of electrical work and periodic inspection and testing against BS 7671

niceic.com