Electrics Query..

[timmyboy79]

Hello..

I've got a 1982 T25 Westy LHD (1.6D) which I've only just bought. I've been going over the van listing all the jobs to do ahead a planned Europe trip and have noticed two problems with the electrics which I'm totally useless with (i've checked the search but couldn't see any immediate suggestions);

1. When I hook the 240V system up, nothing appears to work (Fridge, power sockets etc)? - The surge protector mounted on the base of the unit near the fridge appears to not function properly (e.g. flick trip up & hold blue button in for 3 seconds but doesn't do anything?) however I'm not sure if this is the cause or just a symptom?

2. I've just put a new Leisure battery in the van, all seems to work ok (fridge, taps, heating etc), however, after returning 12 hours later, the battery is dead. Everything is switch off so i don't know what is draining the battery?

Apologies for the long winded email but any suggestions would be gratefully appreciated?

Cheers
Tim

[1664]

Hi Tim, welcome to 80-90

The surge protector mounted on the base of the unit near the fridge appears to not function properly (e.g. flick trip up & hold blue button in for 3 seconds but doesn't do anything?)

Do you mean the RCD incoming switch on the consumer unit (fuseboard)? If so, it won't do anything until you are hooked-up and there is a supply to it. Once it's 'live', push the switch up into the 'on' position. The blue button is a 'test' button that enables you to check that the RCD will 'trip'. Now when you press the button (forget the hold in for 3 seconds) the switch should immediately snap back into the 'off' position. Push the switch back into the up position and you should be up and running provided that the other normal circuit breakers (generally two, half the width of the RCD and with no test button) are in the 'on' position. The same applies to the campsite hook up point you're plugging into, as if that's off it still won't work.

Can't help with the leisure battery thing........

[BOXY]

Hi Tim, below is an extract from the Wiki that helped me check out my wiring :-

Disconnect the negative terminal from battery, join (12v bulb and holder from Maplins £1.90) test light between battery and terminal (end of cable), if you have a light showing, it means you have a drain. Remove each fuse in the fuse box one by one till the light goes out, this tells you which circuit the problem is on. it is then a case of finding the fault on that circuit

I'm still trying to make sense on my van's "strange" electrical circuit, my leisure battery seems to go flat when I'm driving and then charges back up when parked?

Good luck
Dan

[J188]

Hello..

2. I've just put a new Leisure battery in the van, all seems to work ok (fridge, taps, heating etc), however, after returning 12 hours later, the battery is dead. Everything is switch off so i don't know what is draining the battery?

Cheers
Tim

Your van doesn't have a new-ish cd player fitted to it does it? a few people have had issues with cd players draining the battery.

Ste

[timmyboy79]

Thanks guys for the response - I read the extract from the Wiki but took it to apply more to the main the battery as opposed to the leisure one..? Can this work for the leisure battery ?

No stereo fitted at all and like i say, everything is all switched off (allegedly).

[timmyboy79]

Hi,
Thanks for the info.. I think the set-up your talking aboout is probably from a newer van - the one on mine is a lot more basic (no zig unit mounted in van).

I've attached a pic of it from the manual & a text extract.. I think perhaps your right about the current and if it's not there then the protector won't work? Unless anyone knows something else?

Surge Protector
In Use: Press in the blue button (A) until it clicks in, then bring the black switch (B) to the position (1) (ie: push up)

To Test Its Use: To test its use, 220V mains power must be connected to the vehicle. Press in the white test button (C), the

[1664]

Nope, that's not exactly what I thought (mind you, it is a westie ) The white button would appear to be (what I thought would be blue) a 'test' button; I assume protector is Germspeak for RCD. RCD sockets have a test button and also a 'set' button so maybe you have to apply the juice and then try setting with the blue button first. I've not seen one that works this way but that's no reason for it not to exist. Think we need a westie enthusiast here which I'm not. You going to Bustypes by any chance?