Camper electrics fault

[schill]

I have got a strange problem with the electrical circuits in my t25 westfalia. The last owner was an electrician and he has done some mods so it may not be fully original specs.

I have got three lots of lights, two 12v spots in the front cab, an LED strip light in the kitchen area and two spots in the rear area. The fridge is also fed but rarely on battery and finally a propex heater under the rock and roll bed.

The problem is that the lights have started to interact with each other, ie. when I switch one on it does not come on until I have switched another one one, then they dim. There is no predictably to what happens, sometimes it seems ok but still does crazy things most of the time. I have noticed that the heater has stopped firing up also.

When we plug into mains everything goes back to normal,

There are a couple of things that I can thing off but can't put my finger on it. Recenty we had a problem with the main battery shorting to the lid and looking at the leisure battery there is a load of white flakes around the positive terminal. I have sorted both but wondered if they have left any lasting problems.

One other thing while I am at it, the coolant light has started flashing around the same time. I have followed the help on the wiki from here and it still a problem, although sometimes it does go off!

I am very confused so any help would be appreciated

[nevill3]

You should check your leisure battery, it sounds to me as though that hasn't got enough volts.


State of Charge rates with particular Voltage readings

100% = 12.7v or more
75% = 12.4v
50% = 12.2v
25% = 12.0v
Discharged 11.9v

The temperature light flashing may have nothing to do with the electrics but you should check the condition of your earth crowns and battery terminals.

[nevill3]

Also the fridge should only work on 12volts when the engine is running otherwise it would flatten the battery very quickly.

[schill]

Many thanks, I will check it in the morning

[schill]

The battery voltage seems ok. Any more ideas ?

[kevtherev]

connections and earths... make sure they are all good, nice 'n' shiny
how old is the battery?, they have a life of 5 years, after that the performance is noticeably poorer.
If it has been flattened, it will bring on it's demise even quicker

propex is reliant on a good circuit, and plenty of power to start.
Those crazy lights are indicative of a poor earth connection IMHO

Re coolant light.
I presume you have investigated the level in the header tank, where the sensor is situated?
Then if that's OK I would be checking the contacts on the sensor, or replacing it.

[schill]

Ok, many thanks. A job for the weekend to check all of the connections then. I wil let you know how I get on