How do I use the power control panel?

[neal.andrews]

Hi there

I have recently acquired my first camper... a 1986 VW Autospleeper.

Can anyone help me with how to use the power control panel?

I don't have any instructions and the labels on the unit have worn away, so I'm not sure what the three switches do, how I work the fridge, or what to do when I want to hook-up or want to run off the leisure battery.

Photo below.

Many thanks in advance for any help!

Cheers

Neal

[kevtherev]

Hmmm that doesn't look Autosleeper to me .. more like a home built panel
Have you got a picture that shows it all?

This is my '86 panel



You can hook up any time as mains and DC power are separate
The fridge is an RM212 and should have switches on it to move from one power source to the next

There's an operating manual for Autosleepers in the wiki

Welcome to the forum..

[neal.andrews]

Many thanks for getting back to me.

That is pretty much the whole unit - the only additional component on the right is just a blank.

I've just had a play around with it. The two switches next to the lighter socket... the left one is for the water pump, the right one is therefore probably for the fridge?

To clarify, when I hook up does the van automatically go into DC mode, or do I need to switch between battery/DC, and is that what the switch on the far left is for?

Also, I just checked my fridge and I don't think it is an RM212. I can't see an Electolux product code, but it doesn't have any controls at the top - just the gas controls at the bottom.

I have actually hooked up with it already and the fridge came on automatically, but I'm not sure if I can also run the fridge off the leisure battery, or what position the switches need to be in to operate the fridge from gas.

Sorry for all these questions. I am off to Glastonbury in it on Tuesday and am keen to keep my beer cold!

I've had a look on the wiki but am struggling to find the right link for the instructions. If you could send me a link that would be fantastic.

Thanks again.

[1664]

Whatever the set up, you can't run the fridge off a battery - it'll kill it in no time as a fridge draws about 9amps on 12v. The 12v option is only for running the fridge when you're on the move via the alternator - there should be a relay that prevents the 12v operation if the engine isn't running. On Autosleepers, I believe the relay is located behind the control panel. Run it off the gas when you're parked up with no mains hook up

[kevtherev]

Many thanks for getting back to me.

That is pretty much the whole unit - the only additional component on the right is just a blank.

I've just had a play around with it. The two switches next to the lighter socket... the left one is for the water pump, the right one is therefore probably for the fridge?

To clarify, when I hook up does the van automatically go into DC mode, or do I need to switch between battery/DC, and is that what the switch on the far left is for?

Also, I just checked my fridge and I don't think it is an RM212. I can't see an Electolux product code, but it doesn't have any controls at the top - just the gas controls at the bottom.

I have actually hooked up with it already and the fridge came on automatically, but I'm not sure if I can also run the fridge off the leisure battery, or what position the switches need to be in to operate the fridge from gas.

Sorry for all these questions. I am off to Glastonbury in it on Tuesday and am keen to keep my beer cold!

I've had a look on the wiki but am struggling to find the right link for the instructions. If you could send me a link that would be fantastic.

Thanks again.

Ok
so some one in the past has seriously buggered up the control panel and replaced the fridge ( I need a picture to tell you which model it is and get the instructions.)
The van is in DC mode as default, AC (mains) and DC (battery) are two completely different forms of electricity, things that run on DC in the van like lights and radio will not run off AC. they are on separate looms in the van
Does the fridge run off gas ? is it connected to the gas? because at glasto you'll only be able to use gas.

The fridge model no. needs to be found
using gas is a simple case of turning on the gas and lighting the pilot with the piezo, but it must be turned off the mains first

Lastly are you quite sure you have an Autosleeper?

[nevill3]

The two switches together I would guess at one being water pump the other lights.

The big switch on the left could be for
a....charging the leisure battery when hooked up
b....as a switch like mine that lets you select whether to run the DC from either the leisure battery or the starter battery.
c....Switch to show how much is "left" in your battery

To test if it is a switch between the leisure or starter battery, first ensure the interior lights are working, disconnect the earth from the leisure battery then try your lights again with it in each position

If you switch it to the right does the meter above it move to show a reading...then its a battery check

what does the meter on the right say, I cannot quite read the words all I can make out is the E for empty...is this the water level indicator for your inboard water tank

[kevtherev]

yes it's a water level meter

[neal.andrews]

Hi Everyone

Thanks so much for the help and advice.

OK to answer some questions...

kevtherev - It is DEFINITELY an Auto Sleeper!

I have sussed the fridge out and got it working on gas. Today I found an additional gas knob in the cupboard below the cooker, which I thought just fed into a spare gas outlet that is on the floor of the van, but I've realised that it also feeds the fridge. Once this was turned on, the gas firing mechanism below the fridge also worked and I can now see a small flame. I left it running for two hours and it's working great.

There are no additional switches on the fridge, and none of the Control Panel switches seem to affect it in anyway, so I guess it just works automatically on hook-up?

I have realised there is a faint 'star' symbol on the switch next to the cigarette lighter socket, which looks like a frost symbol so I guess is related to the fridge. Like I say this doesn't have any bearing on the gas, but do I need to switch this ON to run the fridge whilst driving, but switch it off at the destination to stop it draining the starter battery?

nevill3 - I have not yet been able to test the different scenarios for what the left switch/meter does, so I will test these tomorrow. Thanks so much for posting these.

Finally... yep, the other meter is for the water.

Again, thanks so much.

[neal.andrews]

The big switch on the left could be for
a....charging the leisure battery when hooked up
b....as a switch like mine that lets you select whether to run the DC from either the leisure battery or the starter battery.
c....Switch to show how much is "left" in your battery

I have looked into this.

It is definitely NOT 'B'. I disconnected the leisure battery and tried the switch in both positions, but the internal lights did not work in either position, so they obviously cannot work from the starter battery.

It might be 'C'. When hooked up to electricity, the indicator arrow moves very slightly when you flick the switch to the right. However, it is only a VERY small amount, just a blip, even when I know the leisure battery is fully charged. If it is this, it therefore doesn't actually show how much is left in the battery. Does this mean the indicator is faulty? Could it be another issue?

Is there any way of testing whether or not it is 'A'?

Finally, the fridge is not getting cool when I am driving via the starter battery. Is this a fuse issue?

Many thanks if anyone can help!

[kevtherev]

if it's an auto sleeper... then the 12v fridge relay is behind the control panel, together with the fuse (15A)

as it's all been changed ...I do wonder if it is

[jpee]

Hi Kev I know it's rude to hi-jack a thread, apologies Neal, I have looked on wiki for RM212 manual, done the search thing on the electrolux link but it comes up with nothing. Anywhere else i can find manual. I need wiring diagram.

Cheers (and sorry once again)

Jpee

Disregard, Found it.