TECHNICAL HELP

[patton42]

Hi everyone - my mum and dad have recently purchased a second hand eriba caravan but are having difficulties setting it up - they can't get the fridge to work and the back left side lights don't work - can anyone give us any advice or let us know of where to get advice please x

 

[swpostie]

What are they trying to run the fridge on?

If mains voltage, is the caravan hooked up?
If gas, is there any?
If 12v, is the caravan connected to the car?

The rear light could be something as simple as a bulb.

 

[patton42]

Hi many thanks for your reply.

It's not hooked up it's in their drive but they've brought a new battery and connected it. they're running the fridge on mains to test it? the rear light - he's changed all the bulbs but it seems weird that indicators are working brake lights etc just back left headlight?

 

[paws]

It's not hooked up it's in their drive

If they want to run the fridge on Mains electricity it must be hooked up...... it doesn't work on the battery and will only work using the cars electrical system when the caravan is connected to the car, the engine is running and....providing the wiring allows for this.
Happy Caravanning
paws

 

[Thingy]

I have a suggestion. It sounds as if the caravan hasnt been maintained recently and considering you are looking at both gas and 240v electrics in the habitation, plus brakes, I would strongly suggest having it serviced at a proper workshop for your parents own safety. That will also check the running gear on the caravan and highlight possibly what the actual issues are, probably something or nothing.

The fridge, as has been said, will need to be either hooked up to the car or mains hookup, but you could try it on gas.

 

[Raywood]

I would agree with Thingy and get it serviced. Have you checked the contacts for the bulb that is not working as the usual problem is corrosion and they might just need a light rub down.
The fridge will not work on battery except when the car engine is running. The battery setting is to maintain the temperature when traveling but only works when the ignition is on to stop the battery running down.

 

[brian_c]

Hello and welcome to the Forum. First steps with a caravan can be confusing and the advice regarding getting a service is probably the best advice you could be given.
However I'm obviously unsure of your location or the neighbourhood where you live but if other people have caravans parked at home close to you then it may be worth your while approaching one of these people.
I'm convinced most caravaners are friendly and approachable and would probably be willing to pop round for a few minutes to show you how to set up the basics. I'm not suggesting they get involved with repairs etc. Just a little bit of advice and help first time would get you up and running.
Again though a service is excellent advice. My only comment to add to this would be to look on the net for a local Mobile Caravan engineer. Most of their sites contain reviews so you could pick someone known for reliability. Many belong to the approved engineers Workshop scheme and are well qualified and experienced.
Best wishes Brian

 

[Raywood]

You can find an NCC engineer using this http://www.thencc.org.uk/Our_Members/find_Member.aspx

 

[LizziePope]

Hi patton42 and welcome to the forum. It sounds like you're receiving some sound advice on here. Let's hope your parents are able to get touring in their Eriba soon.

 

[BryanTheSnail]

It occurred to me that we all make easy comments about these issues, but from a standpoint often of years of experience. While the desire to help is a given, few newbies will realise just how complex a caravan can be with tricky braking gear, multiple fuel sources and water systems etc, So lets make sure we keep the advice in plain terms for the newby, otherwise they will be overwelmed, as a look at many forum comments will confirm. Regards to you all.

 

[Thingy]

It occurred to me that we all make easy comments about these issues, but from a standpoint often of years of experience. While the desire to help is a given, few newbies will realise just how complex a caravan can be with tricky braking gear, multiple fuel sources and water systems etc, So lets make sure we keep the advice in plain terms for the newby, otherwise they will be overwelmed, as a look at many forum comments will confirm. Regards to you all.

What an odd response.

Whilst I do agree with keeping things simple and cutting out the jargon, I fail to see where you are coming from in this particular thread. Having read the whole thing again I cannot see anywhere that jargon and in depth responses have been used.

What could possible be easier than suggesting having it serviced as pretty much all of us have.

 

[ProfJohnL]

It occurred to me that we all make easy comments about these issues, but from a standpoint often of years of experience. While the desire to help is a given, few newbies will realise just how complex a caravan can be with tricky braking gear, multiple fuel sources and water systems etc, So lets make sure we keep the advice in plain terms for the newby, otherwise they will be overwelmed, as a look at many forum comments will confirm. Regards to you all.

I agree in principle, but i also agree with Thingy on this one.

In reality if a matter has not been resolved with simple terminology, where else can you go but to be more precise and accurate, which means calling things by their real name.

Sometimes issues cannot be dealt with in simple terms, and it positively requires a more indepth response. Don't forget that its not just the OP that might be reading the thread, there could be rocket scientists as well as those who never grasped the niceties of mechanics reading.

 

[Dustydog]

Fully agree.
I knew it was The Bypass Modulator Valve :silly:

 

[Craigyoung]

Nothing to do with the nose weight . . . .?!

 

[Hutch]

I can possibly se where Bryan is coming from, a simple reply such as "Is the caravan hooked up" to one person that would meaan hooked up to the car and another hooked up to the mains.

But everyone wants the caravan ( almost) reliable before taking it to or getting a service engineer out to the van.

 

[Gabsgrandad]

Dusty wrote - "I knew it was The Bypass Modulator Valve" -Is that the same as the 'phuffer' valve?

 

[ProfJohnL]

Nothing to do with the nose weight . . . .?!

Correction Nose Load

 

[ProfJohnL]

I can possibly se where Bryan is coming from, a simple reply such as "Is the caravan hooked up" to one person that would meaan hooked up to the car and another hooked up to the mains.
....

Which is exactly why when responding to some issues it is necessary to be descriptive.Especially where the poster is new to the forum, we have absolutely no idea of the poster's experience or competence to tackle the job in hand.

We have seen several cases where a novice caravanner has posted a question about a problem. They have provided us with some information about what is happening, but they may have actually described something that is unrelated to the actual product they are having problems with.

When this sort of misunderstood posting comes up, I am personally very circumspect about the posters ability to receive and safely use technical advice over a forum. Messing around with test meters probes in an electrical device when you don't know what you're doing is a very risky thing to suggest.

 

[chrisn7]

For bulb, remove it from its holder, and check for any powdery corrosion where the side of the bulb is in contact with the holder. Clean the bulb and holder to ensure good contact. Similarly check the contact on the bottom of the bulb and its matching contact on the holder.
If corrosion is present it would be worth checking all the other bulbs as well. Once done, spray the metal parts of the entire assembly with WD40, but keep it off the plastic parts.