This may sound like a daft question, but how do you get the electric flush to work when the van is attached to the car? In the past we had manual flush so no problem when stopping at rest areas etc, but now we have gone up in the world, and all of a sudden does not seem so simple. Do you need to switch back to caravan mode? Will the relay switch even though it is still connected to the car?
Using Electric flush when on the road
- Thread starter Bob_374248583
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G
Guest
From memory, on both are vans you just have to flip the switch to caravan for the 12 volt pumps and lights to work.
Or you could end up running along the road with the vans systems live or even running should there be a problem.
Or you could end up running along the road with the vans systems live or even running should there be a problem.
You need to switch the car ignition off to avoid the habitation relay in the van switching everything off
It may also be necessary with the Swift electronice to switch on the van supply at the switch panel over the door
This may apply to other makes as well
It may also be necessary with the Swift electronice to switch on the van supply at the switch panel over the door
This may apply to other makes as well
On my van I beleive it also senses the permanent live coming through the 12s. So I just unplug the 12s when stopping at services etc.
G
Guest
A bit confused on this one. My van has a big battery under the seat which powers all the 12 volts electrics in the van. All that happens when the van is connected to the car is that the battery receives a charge from the car. Similarly when connected on a site to the mains. So as long as the battery is in situ then all the 12 volts work anytime anywhere, unless I am missing something.
Our last two vans when connected to the tow vehicle and plugged in cuts out the 12v system so unless I am totally wrong you must unplug from the car.(Black plug.)for every thing to work, the only thing that will work when connected to to the tow vehicle is the frige.
I hope this helps .
Sir Roger
I hope this helps .
Sir Roger
Hi Scotch lad you are missing something called the habitation relay that is fitted to all caravans since 1996ish
When the 12S plug is connected the fridge feed red wire on pin 6 energises the habitaion relay and that switches off all internal 12V except on later vans with electonic fridge controls when another wire powers the electronics and is not affected by the habitation relay
There should be no need to disconnect the 12S if the car is wired correctly and the relay in the car to the fridge circuit is working properly
It may be necessary sometimes to unplug if a voltage sensing relay is fitted to the fridge circuit as they sometimes take a while to react
Hope that helps
When the 12S plug is connected the fridge feed red wire on pin 6 energises the habitaion relay and that switches off all internal 12V except on later vans with electonic fridge controls when another wire powers the electronics and is not affected by the habitation relay
There should be no need to disconnect the 12S if the car is wired correctly and the relay in the car to the fridge circuit is working properly
It may be necessary sometimes to unplug if a voltage sensing relay is fitted to the fridge circuit as they sometimes take a while to react
Hope that helps
Hi RogerOur last two vans when connected to the tow vehicle and plugged in cuts out the 12v system so unless I am totally wrong you must unplug from the car.(Black plug.)for every thing to work, the only thing that will work when connected to to the tow vehicle is the frige.
I hope this helps .
Sir Roger
Black plug is for raod lights Grey plug for van internals:fridge.charging,reversing lights and dedicated fridge earth
G
Guest
Then you are missing something---but what !!!Sorry. Disagree. Mine does not have one, but it is not a UK van.
G
Guest
I would probably agree with that as my wife has the bad habit of stuffing the loo with all sorts of paraphernalia for travelling. Between the toilet bags and all the 'crap' from the bathroom cabinet (just in case the doors fly open) and the coffee machine, and the bag with all the miscellaneous odds and sods, it is impossible to get in there without a lot of extraction. The hedge defintely looks more attractive, although possibly not from her point of view. Anyway, that is what service stations are for.
Although to try and answer John, without a wiring diagram is impossible. However, logic tells me that if a system is set up to power from a battery then to isolate that system inorder to feed direct, and at the same time charge the battery, seems too complicated,. I also know from my old motorhome that it had a split charging system with 2nd battery, as normal, and again everything in the habitation part was powered from the battery.
All I know is that van is connected. or not as maybe, and I switch on the lights etc, and all works. There is no 'caravan on' switch.
The fridge is a different matter of course.
Although to try and answer John, without a wiring diagram is impossible. However, logic tells me that if a system is set up to power from a battery then to isolate that system inorder to feed direct, and at the same time charge the battery, seems too complicated,. I also know from my old motorhome that it had a split charging system with 2nd battery, as normal, and again everything in the habitation part was powered from the battery.
All I know is that van is connected. or not as maybe, and I switch on the lights etc, and all works. There is no 'caravan on' switch.
The fridge is a different matter of course.
I find this all very interesting as when I contacted THETFORD a little while ago by email, they advised me that both the toilet flush tank (has an open top) and the toilet cassette should be empty whilst travelling or damage could occur.Makes sense to me.
Good luck.
JTS.
Good luck.
JTS.
Very sorry bad info on this topic I said black plug and I know should be grey ,reallised this when rushed off to an emergency ,,, very sorryHi Roger
Black plug is for raod lights Grey plug for van internals:fridge.charging,reversing lights and dedicated fridge earth
Watson(JohnG)You are correct by correcting me with my answe to the above thread I .reallised that as I had to rush out and didnt have time to correct it and as I had pressed the go buton too late anywayI find this all very interesting as when I contacted THETFORD a little while ago by email, they advised me that both the toilet flush tank (has an open top) and the toilet cassette should be empty whilst travelling or damage could occur.Makes sense to me.
Good luck.
JTS.
Bob I hope you have managed to sort something out from this thread.
Sir Roger
Hi Scotch Lad
When I said the at you were missing something in my comment it was meant as possibly you were missing the delights of a British van but then others would say the trials
Its easy to see if you have a haboitation relay or not if anyone else is in doubt
Just switch on the van interior lights when plugged in to the car and start the engine
The lights should go out under the influence of the habitation relay and the fridge should come on on 12V assuming there is a warning light fitted
When I said the at you were missing something in my comment it was meant as possibly you were missing the delights of a British van but then others would say the trials
Its easy to see if you have a haboitation relay or not if anyone else is in doubt
Just switch on the van interior lights when plugged in to the car and start the engine
The lights should go out under the influence of the habitation relay and the fridge should come on on 12V assuming there is a warning light fitted
Hi Roger just so long as we get there in the end its not a matter of one upmanship(If only this site allowed emoticons)I find this all very interesting as when I contacted THETFORD a little while ago by email, they advised me that both the toilet flush tank (has an open top) and the toilet cassette should be empty whilst travelling or damage could occur.Makes sense to me.
Good luck.
JTS.
suffice to say Regards and Happy New Year when it comes
Thanks very much for your answers. We have only used the van once since we gor it, and never gave it a moments thought until we stopped at a service area on our way back. OH wanted to use the toilet then wanted to flush, as you would, but of course it didn't work. On that occasion a bottle of water came to the rescue, but it got me thinking, and we havn't been out since. Anyway planning to go away for New Year and thought I would sort it all out. I guess I need to switch to 'Caravan' and all will be well.
Thanks everybody.
PS. A hedge usually works for me, but I would probably get a thick ear if I suggested that to OH.
Happy New Year.
Thanks everybody.
PS. A hedge usually works for me, but I would probably get a thick ear if I suggested that to OH.
Happy New Year.
G
Guest
I must be honest and state I have never actually delved into the electrics. They work on the 'plug and play' principle, which suits me fine and there is no control panel to confuse me.
Basically there is a dirty great big battery (110 amp) in a battery box under the seat. Told you it was a cheapie van. Alongside this is a slightly smaller box with feeds for both 12 volt and 240 volt. This has a cooler fan which can be annoying when it kicks in at 35 degrees in the Med, but whatever. The output from this 'box of tricks' basically keeps the battery up to spec and powers everything in the van, except the fridge. The only oddball I have is that some of the 12 volt lights, not all, only work when the 240 volt is connected as they run directly from the mains circuit through a transformer. That did confuse me and I changed bulbs for a long time until I figured out the problem. I now have a good few spare bulbs.
I admit that the idea of having to disconnect the towball electrics to get the van to work, does seem a retrograde step. Sounds like the hedge is the better option, even for OH as long as there are no nettles.
Basically there is a dirty great big battery (110 amp) in a battery box under the seat. Told you it was a cheapie van. Alongside this is a slightly smaller box with feeds for both 12 volt and 240 volt. This has a cooler fan which can be annoying when it kicks in at 35 degrees in the Med, but whatever. The output from this 'box of tricks' basically keeps the battery up to spec and powers everything in the van, except the fridge. The only oddball I have is that some of the 12 volt lights, not all, only work when the 240 volt is connected as they run directly from the mains circuit through a transformer. That did confuse me and I changed bulbs for a long time until I figured out the problem. I now have a good few spare bulbs.
I admit that the idea of having to disconnect the towball electrics to get the van to work, does seem a retrograde step. Sounds like the hedge is the better option, even for OH as long as there are no nettles.
Its a bind to have to unplug the 12S and shouldn't be necessary but I always do it when staying on the quayside waiting overnight for a morning boat
The faint chance of a flat car battery when wanting to board/leave a ferry is not a welcome prospect!
The faint chance of a flat car battery when wanting to board/leave a ferry is not a welcome prospect!
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