First time camper help

[Murdock77]

I'm picking up my 1984 t25 high roof this morning I have never used a camper van before and was just looking for a bit of advise on the electrics, gas, etc. it has a zig electrics unit, a sink, cooker and fridge freezer! Do I need to charge the leisure battery from home when not using the van through winter months and how do I use the 12v, 240v and gas, I am in the motor trade and am confident with all things mechanical and normally electrical but having never being involved with a camper van as such I need help thanks!!!

[Dazco]

I would make sure everything else works first
Leisure battery will more than likely charge through a relay when the engine is running.
There will be a gas valve somewhere inaccessible in a cupboard somewhere . You'll need to check to see if there is a cylinder first and check if it's got any gas in it.
Once you've got it back home , post some pics of it the we can see what model it is , that will be more helpful . Good luck and hope it goes ok

Daz

[moggymorgan]

Hi and welcome to the club, have a look at the wiki at the top of the page you will find loads of info in there.if you put your location up maybe someone local could help.

[ghost123uk]

Hi and welcome to VW club 80-90, where you will find all you need to know, and lots that you don't

Tis true what he said ^^^ = our "wiki" is full of lots of invaluable advice, but that doesn't mean don't ask on the live forum The wiki has got a link to it near the top left of every page on here, but here is a quick link = https://club8090.co.uk/wiki/Main_Page" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Tell us a bit more about your van. Petrol or Diesel, what brand of conversion etc? Also tell as a bit about you, are you a young surf dude, or a retired teacher/engineer (ordinary middle aged folk with kids generally can't afford to run a T25 camper )

Do I need to charge the leisure battery from home when not using the van through winter months

Yes you do. It is always a good idea to keep your leisure battery well charged. Never let it drop below about 11.5 Volts or it will be somewhat damaged.
One of these multi stage "smart chargers" are a good investment if you don't already own one.

Also as said above ^^^ tell us where you are and it is highly likely that someone on here will volunteer to pop round and show you what is what with the leisure electrics and gas etc. Much better than trying to read up on it.

[nicktennear]

Why wouldn't you use your van in the winter? You'll never have the pleasure of scraping ice off the inside of the screen and vowing to buy a Propex next year.

[kevtherev]

fridge freezer!

Presuming this is an Electrolux fridge.
Presuming this is a three way fridge. (RM212)?

The club provides this download.. http://www.club80-90.co.uk/pages/downlo ... 2Elect.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Remember these fridges are SILENT and take 30 to 60 mins to get cold.
It should not run directly from your leisure on 12V.

Do I need to charge the leisure battery from home when not using the van through winter months

yes...but.
It's advisable you do use the van over the winter months, these old ladies do not like long lay ups.

and how do I use the 12v, 240v and gas,

If the van has a converter then we would need to know to be specific.
However for 12v, a quick test is to switch every thing on, then disconnect the leisure batt.
Same with hook up
Gas will be just the stove and fridge (see the down load for the fridge) but the stove is like the one at home, with one aspect, the knob that turns on the burner has to be held briefly IN when lighting, this is a safety item.

[Smosh]

welcome to the forum. I've owned my van a couple of years and still havent got my head around all this, so when you find out please let me know!

[Murdock77]

Thanks for the advise I'm a workshop controller being a vehicle tech for 17 years spent many a year camping but after buying a mk1 golf gti which I use to commute to work daily a couple of years ago and attending a couple of vw shows last year I just had to get a camper van mine is a 2.0 petrol 1984 hi top which is pretty scary in this weather I've got my head around the electrics now I'm not sure on what conversion it is it has 3 way fridge freezer, sink with electric water feed and cooker with grill everything works except the leisure battery which is actually a normal heavy duty battery the fuse has being removed between the alternator feed as such the battery is not charging so the electrics are running off the main battery at the minute the zig unit appears to be working I will replace the fuse and also check the wiring and try and work out if the system is working correctly as I could do without the battery going flat I also need to get my head around the charging system and also check if the electrics are operating off the leisure battery once sorted

[kevtherev]

We need a picture of the interior, to tell you what it is