I am new to caravaning and have a Bailey Senator series 6. Should I be able to use the sockets or heating system in the van using battery power? They are fine if I am using the mains, but nothing with the battery apart from the lights. The battery is brand new and fully charged. I tried to use a small night light today and nothing at all?
Using battery power
- Thread starter Jason_374358399
- Start date
Hi Jason.
Without a mains (240volt) hookup you will not be able to use high voltage systems (i.e. Hot water boiler, heating (unless you use gas) mains lighting - if fitted, and three pin sockets.)
12 volt systems will work from the battery, halogen reading lights, awning light and heater blower.
Hope this helps,
Ron.
Without a mains (240volt) hookup you will not be able to use high voltage systems (i.e. Hot water boiler, heating (unless you use gas) mains lighting - if fitted, and three pin sockets.)
12 volt systems will work from the battery, halogen reading lights, awning light and heater blower.
Hope this helps,
Ron.
Hello Jason,
Most caravans have two electrical power systems. The 12V dc circuit which powers things like the water pump, some of the internal lights (usually fluorescents), and the hot air circulating fan this is usually fed from a 12V battery. The battery is usually charged when you tow through the multi-way plugs that connect to the car, but it is also usually connected to a mains powered charger/power supply which only works when the caravan is plugged into a mains supply.
The second power system is the mains 230Vac. This is only available when the caravan is plugged in to an external mains supply. This powers the battery charger/power supply mentioned above, as well as the fridge, usually a water heater, and of course the mains sockets in the caravan. In your case it sounds as though you have space heater that can also be powered from the mains. There are usually some mains powered lights in the van.
The reason that some appliances do not use 12Vdc to power them is that they need a lot of power, and the 12V system cannot provide enough.
The items that are on the 12V circuit, tend to be those that you might need if you caravan on sites without mains hook ups, hence the water pump, and the hot air circulation fan. The mains appliances tend to be those items that might be considered nice but not essential -except of course, the fridge, water heater and the space heater.
For these appliances you usually have the option to use gas to power them. If it is a new caravan you should have details of each appliance in your caravan handbook. If you have not got the hand book, then either contact the caravan manufacture or look on Ebay or some contributors to this forum have various handbooks available.
If the Gas appliances have not been used for a long time, it would be wise to have then serviced.
Most caravans have two electrical power systems. The 12V dc circuit which powers things like the water pump, some of the internal lights (usually fluorescents), and the hot air circulating fan this is usually fed from a 12V battery. The battery is usually charged when you tow through the multi-way plugs that connect to the car, but it is also usually connected to a mains powered charger/power supply which only works when the caravan is plugged into a mains supply.
The second power system is the mains 230Vac. This is only available when the caravan is plugged in to an external mains supply. This powers the battery charger/power supply mentioned above, as well as the fridge, usually a water heater, and of course the mains sockets in the caravan. In your case it sounds as though you have space heater that can also be powered from the mains. There are usually some mains powered lights in the van.
The reason that some appliances do not use 12Vdc to power them is that they need a lot of power, and the 12V system cannot provide enough.
The items that are on the 12V circuit, tend to be those that you might need if you caravan on sites without mains hook ups, hence the water pump, and the hot air circulation fan. The mains appliances tend to be those items that might be considered nice but not essential -except of course, the fridge, water heater and the space heater.
For these appliances you usually have the option to use gas to power them. If it is a new caravan you should have details of each appliance in your caravan handbook. If you have not got the hand book, then either contact the caravan manufacture or look on Ebay or some contributors to this forum have various handbooks available.
If the Gas appliances have not been used for a long time, it would be wise to have then serviced.
hi jason
is this a wind up or are you being totally silly ???.
if this is a genuine question please accept my appologies, but even someone who is completly green to caravanning should know that battery power is 12v and mains is 240v.
the 12v system powers only lights, water pump, and probably one 12v socket the little square one with 2 pins near the tv socket.
the mains power all the 3pin plugs, heater, fridge on electric,and hot water,
the cooker, heater, fridge, and hot water can also be used on gas.
the two systems are completely separate but when on hookup the 12v system will still work via the zig unit.
sorry mate, but!!, oh well, never mind.
colin
is this a wind up or are you being totally silly ???.
if this is a genuine question please accept my appologies, but even someone who is completly green to caravanning should know that battery power is 12v and mains is 240v.
the 12v system powers only lights, water pump, and probably one 12v socket the little square one with 2 pins near the tv socket.
the mains power all the 3pin plugs, heater, fridge on electric,and hot water,
the cooker, heater, fridge, and hot water can also be used on gas.
the two systems are completely separate but when on hookup the 12v system will still work via the zig unit.
sorry mate, but!!, oh well, never mind.
colin
I have just bought the van and have no experience. I obviously don't have your wisdom. What I was asking was for some guidance and not a sarcastic answer. Thanks to the other members who gave some useful advice.
Sorry mate, but oh well, cant understand why you bothered to answer...... Oh well!!!!
I admit to a similar confusion when we got our Bailey in January. It may be something as simple as remembering to switch on the 12 volt master switch on the control panel. No 12 volt systems work otherwise!
A really helpful and understanding reply from Colin - Yorkshire - lets up he never asks for help!!
Steve
Steve
sorry jason I am not usually so sarcastic to the plight of newbies, and allways try to help.
however it's a case of mistaken identity on my part,
I do appologise for my error, but like many posters, I use other sites and for the last couple of weeks some joker has been posting and asking some down right silly questions on some of the forums that I use as some sort of big wind up, because of its nature ie; (240volts from a van battery???) I assumed your post was one of these.
colin
however it's a case of mistaken identity on my part,
I do appologise for my error, but like many posters, I use other sites and for the last couple of weeks some joker has been posting and asking some down right silly questions on some of the forums that I use as some sort of big wind up, because of its nature ie; (240volts from a van battery???) I assumed your post was one of these.
colin
Colin
I agree with you. See my question (is someone having a laugh??) on Equipment and accessories.
Al
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